Gangnam EOS Eye Center · Head Director Lee Sang-mi Analysis Report

Key Highlights

Hospital Identity

Vision Correction Pioneer

Gangnam EOS Eye Center established a unique position in vision correction, notably with '2day LASEK' since 2008, combining advanced medical services with 'Space Revolution' and 'Data Transparency' initiatives.

Director's Expertise

Authority in Refractive Surgery

Head Director Lee Sang-mi, an ophthalmologist from Dankook University, boasts over 10,000 SMILE LASIK cases. She prioritizes data-based safety and personalized surgery, actively performing '2day LASEK' and 5th-gen procedures with ATOS.

Core Procedures

Advanced & Rapid Recovery

Key procedures include '2day LASEK,' drastically shortening recovery to 2 days, advanced 'SMILE LASIK' utilizing femtosecond lasers, and 5th generation vision correction surgeries with 'ATOS' equipment for superior outcomes.

Differentiated Experience

Trust Through Transparency

The center ensures trust via transparent disclosure of medical data (ablation amount, corneal thickness), open operating rooms, and the 'Lounge EOS' project, which redefines hospital spaces as cultural and relaxing environments.

Head Director Lee Sang-mi

Biography & Credentials

Education

Graduated from Dankook University College of Medicine.

Completed Ophthalmology Residency at Dankook University Hospital.
Major Career
- Oculoplastics Dispatched Doctor at Samsung Medical Center (Samsung Seoul Hospital).
- Former Head of Ophthalmology at Cheongju St. Mary's Hospital.
- Former Director at B&Viit Eye Center Gangnam Kyobo Tower Branch.
- Current Head Director at Gangnam EOS Eye Center.
Academic Activities

Regular member of the Korean Ophthalmological Society, the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

Expertise & Medical Philosophy

Areas of Expertise & Clinical Achievements

Distinguished in **SMILE LASIK** with experience performing over 10,000 cases, proving high proficiency and stability. Actively performs 5th generation vision correction using ATOS equipment and '2day LASEK'.
Medical Philosophy: Data-Driven Flexible Thinking

Summarized as 'objective judgment based on data' and 'patient safety first'. Director Lee Sang-mi shows a flexible attitude, acknowledging and actively recommending '2day LASEK' after personal investigation and verification of its clinical benefits.

"From the perspective of a doctor who has performed the surgery myself, the 2-day recovery and qualitative aspects of vision in 2day LASEK are surprisingly accurate."

She honestly explains potential side effects of procedures like SMILE LASIK and emphasizes the necessity of introducing the latest equipment (ATOS, etc.) and the doctor's proficiency to prevent them.

Hospital Overview & Infrastructure

Location & Scale

Gangnam EOS Eye Center is located on the 18th, 19th, and 20th floors of 355 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Seocho Building), adjacent to Exit 5 of Gangnam Station. This prime location offers excellent accessibility and high-floor views overlooking the Gangnam area.

To optimize patient movement and service, functions are separated by floor: the 18th floor serves as the Examination Center and Lounge, the 19th floor as the Surgery Center, and the 20th floor as the Outpatient Center.

Space Revolution Project & Safety

The 'Space Revolution Project' transformed the hospital space into 'Lounge EOS', valuing patient experience beyond just medical acts.

Design Philosophy: Aims for a "hospital where space becomes the protagonist," pursuing simplicity and perfection. Cozy lighting, furniture, and music, reminiscent of an art gallery or cafe, induce psychological stability.
Unique Collaborations: Enhances patient visits with specialty coffee from 'Rule Coffee' baristas and seasonal collaborations with famous dessert brands, converting waiting times into a positive experience.
Open Surgery Room & Certifications: Operates an 'Open Surgery Room' with transparent glass to build trust and accountability. Holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, adhering to international standards for medical quality and environmental management.

Major Procedures & Technical Features

2Day LASEK (Signature Surgery)

The signature surgery of EOS Eye Center, a proprietary LASEK protocol researched and developed since 2008. It fundamentally improved the long recovery period and pain, major drawbacks of existing LASEK surgery.

Principle: Utilizes an **All-Laser** method to excise the corneal epithelium and stroma in one step, minimizing the damaged area compared to traditional alcohol or brush methods.
Minimization of Damaged Area: Reduces corneal epithelium damage by about 40%, dramatically increasing recovery speed.
Fast Recovery: Patients can remove protective lenses and return to daily life just 2 days (48 hours) after surgery, a significant improvement over the 5-7 days for traditional LASEK.
Safety: Lower risk of infection as the epithelium is not peeled off with instruments; advantageous for high myopia patients by preserving maximum residual cornea.
2day LASEK Wide: An option with a wide Optical Zone is available to minimize night glare for patients with large pupils.

SMILE LASIK and ATOS SMILE (Advanced Femtosecond Laser)

As one of Director Lee Sang-mi's main fields of expertise, this surgery involves separating the stroma with a minimal incision without creating a corneal flap.

Evolved Technology: While early SMILE LASIK had concerns, SMILE surgery using the latest **ATOS** equipment creates a smooth transition zone without a side cut, minimizing myopic regression and glare.
Low Energy: Utilizes low energy to reduce excessive thermal damage, leaving the corneal surface smooth and enhancing the quality of vision.
Accuracy of Astigmatism Correction: ATOS equipment improves astigmatism correction accuracy by linking Cyclotorsion compensation function and visual axis center data.

Other Vision Correction Procedures

Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)

A surgery performed for patients with ultra-high myopia or thin corneas, involving the insertion of a special lens inside the eye without cutting the cornea. Provides clear vision and offers toric ICL for astigmatism correction.

Presbyopia/Cataract Surgery

Performs multifocal intraocular lens implantation tailored to individual lifestyles, aiming for precise surgery utilizing advanced laser technology.

Data Transparency Disclosure

Gangnam EOS Eye Center implements a policy of transparently disclosing key surgery-related data to patients, such as ablation amount, residual corneal thickness, pupil size, and ablation area, both before and after surgery. This empowers patients to make informed decisions based on objective medical standards rather than emotional factors.

Reputation & Patient Review Analysis

Positive Evaluations

Recovery Speed: '2day LASEK' patients show high satisfaction with the ability to remove protective lenses and return to daily life in just 2 days. Many express, "It was good to be able to have surgery using fewer annual leave days as an office worker."
Professionalism & Trust: Meticulous optometry and clear explanations by the medical staff, including Director Lee Sang-mi, coupled with the transparent data disclosure policy, foster high levels of trust. Reviews highlight successful results even in challenging surgical cases.
Facilities & Service: The pleasant environment of 'Lounge EOS', complimentary coffee service, and friendly staff responses receive consistent praise. The prevailing sentiment is, "It feels like coming to a cafe, not a hospital."

Considerations & Reserved Evaluations

Pain: While '2day LASEK' is designed to reduce pain, due to the inherent nature of LASEK, some patients still report stinging eyes, tearing, and discomfort on the day of surgery or the next day. Realistic accounts like "I teared up so much I couldn't open my eyes" are also found.
Waiting Time: Given the hospital's popularity, some patients note long waiting times, emphasizing the necessity of reservations.
Cost: As the center provides premium equipment and services, there is a perception that the cost may be somewhat higher compared to low-cost, factory-type eye clinics.

Rating Status

Gangnam Unni

9.3/10

(44 reviews)

Modoodoc

9.2/10

(414 reviews)

Director Lee Sang-mi

9.1/10

(24 reviews)

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Conclusion

Gangnam EOS Eye Center and Head Director Lee Sang-mi occupy a differentiated position in the Korean ophthalmology market by pursuing both **'Technical Innovation (2day LASEK, ATOS SMILE)'** and **'Patient Experience Innovation (Lounge EOS, Data Disclosure)'**.

Director Lee Sang-mi is analyzed as a progressive medical professional who possesses skilled techniques based on over 10,000 cases of SMILE LASIK experience, while flexibly accepting and developing new protocols such as 2day LASEK based on data.

From the patient's perspective, it is an attractive option when considering both fast recovery and safety, but since the degree of pain or suitable surgical method may vary depending on the individual's eye condition, it is recommended to conduct in-depth consultation with a specialist based on the transparent data provided by the hospital.

#InnovativeCare #ExpertOphthalmology #PatientTrust