Key Summary
Institution Overview
Gangnam EOS Eye Center is a medical institution focused on vision correction surgery located on Gangnam-daero (near Gangnam Station), Seocho-gu, Seoul. In particular, it has secured high recognition in the domestic refractive surgery market through its unique branding and surgical protocol called '2day LASEK'.
Key Figure: Jung Young-kwon
Representative Director Jung Young-kwon is an ophthalmologist who graduated from the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine. He possesses international clinical and administrative experience, having served as the Head of Ophthalmology at 'Beijing SK Aikang Hospital'. He has led long-term stability research on LASEK surgery for ultra-high myopia patients and presented research achievements at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).
Major Procedures & Features
The hospital's signature procedure, '2day LASEK', features an All-Laser method that minimizes corneal epithelium damage to shorten the recovery period. Additionally, the waiting area within the hospital has been innovated into 'Lounge EOS', offering specialty coffee and bakery items, differentiating the patient experience (PX).
Reputation & Analysis
Positive evaluations dominate regarding the medical staff's expertise and the systematic optometry system. However, the relatively high cost due to the premium strategy, waiting times, and individual differences regarding the recovery speed implied by the name '2day' (pain, etc.) are major points of discussion among patients.
Director's Profile: Jung Young-kwon
A leader combining extensive clinical experience, international insights, and continuous academic pursuit to redefine vision correction.
Education and Early Career
- Graduated from the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine and obtained Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Medicine from the same graduate school.
- Completed internship and residency at the Catholic University of Korea St. Mary's Hospital and obtained board certification in Ophthalmology.
- Afterward, he served as a clinical professor in the Cornea and Cataract department at the Catholic University of Korea Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, gaining experience in treating intractable eye diseases at the university hospital level.
Beijing SK Aikang Hospital and International Experience
- Served as the Head of Ophthalmology at 'SK Aikang Hospital' located in Beijing, China.
- SK Aikang Hospital was the first joint venture hospital between Korea and China established by SK Group in 2004 to enter the Chinese medical market.
- During this period, Director Jung experienced an international medical environment while practicing locally in China.
- This experience is analyzed to have provided Director Jung with deep insights into risk management in hospital management and global standards, in addition to medical technology.
Major Research Achievements and Academic Activities
- **ESCRS Presentation:** At the 40th ESCRS held in Milan, Italy, in 2022, he presented research results on "The long-term efficacy and stability over 6 months of 2day LASEK (Trans-PRK) for ultra-high myopia over -8 diopters."
- This research internationally recognized the safety of the surgical method even in the ultra-high myopia patient group.
- The research results were also officially adopted and presented at the 126th Meeting of the Korean Ophthalmological Society.
- Director Jung is active as a regular member of the Korean Ophthalmological Society, the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS), and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).
Gangnam EOS Eye Center Information
Location and Facility Scale
Gangnam EOS Eye Center uses the 18th, 19th, and 20th floors of the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Seocho Building at 355 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Located near Exit 5 of Gangnam Station, it has excellent accessibility.
- **18th Floor:** Examination Center (Precision optometry and consultation)
- **19th Floor:** Surgery Center (Sterile operating rooms and recovery rooms)
- **20th Floor:** Clinic Center (Outpatient treatment and post-care)
This separation by floor separates the movement paths of patients and surgical patients, lowering the risk of infection and protecting privacy.
Medical Philosophy and Operational Policy
EOS Eye Center advocates being "a hospital where space becomes the protagonist" and "an ophthalmology clinic good at difficult surgeries." This suggests a commitment beyond functional vision correction.
- **Patient-Centered Experience:** Spares no investment in designing a 'Patient-Centered Experience' that values psychological stability.
- **Transparency & Trust:** Adopts a strategy to build trust by transparently disclosing research data on high-difficulty cases such as ultra-high myopia or astigmatism.
- **Establishment & History:** Began R&D on 2day LASEK in the late 2000s and established its current systematic system around 2014, continuously expanding.
Major Procedures and Technical Features
2day LASEK (Two-Day LASEK / Trans-PRK)
As a surgical method that serves as a symbol of EOS Eye Center, they claim to have drastically shortened the pain and long recovery period, which are disadvantages of existing LASEK.
Technical Principle:
- **All-Laser Method:** Uses only the Amaris Red (Amaris Red 1050RS) laser to proceed with epithelium removal and stroma ablation in one step (One-step).
- **Minimum Ablation Algorithm:** Reduces the corneal damage area by about 40% compared to general LASEK, increasing wound recovery speed.
- Allows the removal of protective lenses just 48 hours (2 days) after surgery.
Clinical Benefits:
- **Fast Recovery:** Most patients can remove protective lenses on the 2nd day after surgery and engage in daily activities (washing face, light makeup).
- **Safety:** Low risk of infection as there is no instrument contact, and it is resistant to external impact as no corneal flap is created. Advantageous for soldiers, police officers, athletes, etc.
- **Research Data:** Stable vision maintained without myopic regression until 6 months after surgery even in ultra-high myopia patients of -8 diopters or more, with significant corneal epithelial thickness recovery.
SMILE LASIK (SMILE / Smart LASIK)
Gangnam EOS Eye Center provides SMILE LASIK options optimized for patient eye conditions.
- **Equipment:** Operates both the VisuMax equipment from Zeiss, Germany, and the ATOS equipment from Schwind.
- **Features:** Uses the 'Low Energy' technique, reducing thermal damage to the corneal stroma and creating a smooth cut surface to improve vision quality.
Intraocular Lens Implantation (ICL) and Presbyopia/Cataract Surgery
Offers specialized solutions for a broad range of vision impairments, including severe myopia and age-related conditions.
- **ICL:** A method of inserting a special lens inside the eye without cutting the cornea, applied to patients with ultra-high myopia or thin corneas. EOS Eye Center shows strength in astigmatism correction ICL and emphasizes accurate astigmatic axis correction.
- **Cataract:** Performs multifocal intraocular lens implantation tailored to the patient's lifestyle and minimizes side effects through precise pre-operative examinations.
Patient Experience Innovation: Lounge EOS
Gangnam EOS Eye Center conducted a 'Space Revolution Project' to provide a 'spatial experience' beyond medical services, aiming to reduce patients' fear of hospitals and increase psychological satisfaction.
Concept and Philosophy:
- Aims for "comfort as if visiting an art museum or cafe, not a hospital."
- Directors Jung Young-kwon and Oh Jung-woo redesigned the space so that the waiting time is a time for rest and culture.
Key Features:
- **Specialty Coffee Collaboration:** Collaborates with Barista Jung In-seong of 'Rule Coffee' to provide high-quality hand-drip coffee in the lounge.
- **Bakery and Dessert:** Collaborates with dessert brands selected by Blue Ribbon Survey to provide seasonal menus.
- **Theme by Branch:** 'Lounge EOS Seongsu', part of a space regeneration project remodeling an old mold factory, operates as a complex cultural space.
Reputation Analysis and Market Response
Positive Evaluations
- **Satisfaction with Recovery Speed:** Numerous verified testimonials regarding the fast recovery of 2day LASEK, such as "Removed lenses in 2 days" and "Was able to go to work on Monday after Friday surgery."
- **Expertise and Trust:** Many evaluations praise the medical staff, including Director Jung Young-kwon, for meticulously caring for everything from optometry to surgery and post-care. Transparent disclosure of examination data builds trust.
- **Facility Satisfaction:** Favorable reviews continue regarding the pleasant environment and service of Lounge EOS, contributing to lowering the psychological barrier to visiting the hospital.
Negative Evaluations and Considerations
- **Individual Differences in Pain:** Although emphasizing 'painless' or 'less pain', reactions such as "It hurt and stung so much I couldn't open my eyes" and "A guardian is essential" exist in actual reviews. This suggests significant individual differences in pain sensitivity.
- **Cost:** Opinions indicate that the cost of 2day LASEK or SMILE LASIK is somewhat higher than general LASEK surgery (Two-day LASEK is around 2-2.5 million KRW).
- **Waiting Time:** As it is a popular hospital, difficulty in making reservations or long waiting times on the day are pointed out as disadvantages.
Controversies and Medical Discourse
Among some ophthalmologists, there is a discussion on "whether removing the protective lens early necessarily implies the completion of epithelial recovery." There is a view that a cautious approach is needed on whether removal in 2 days is an unconditional advantage in terms of infection management or stability. However, EOS Eye Center refutes that they have proven safety through over 30,000 cases of data and long-term tracking research.
Conclusion
Gangnam EOS Eye Center and Representative Director Jung Young-kwon have built a unique brand value in the domestic ophthalmology market through technical differentiation called '2day LASEK' and spatial differentiation called 'Lounge EOS'.
1. Medical Aspect: Data-Driven Medicine
Led by Director Jung Young-kwon, they academically prove the safety of LASEK surgery for ultra-high myopia patients, practicing 'data-driven medicine' beyond simple competition in the number of procedures.
2. Patient Experience Aspect: Space for Healing and Relaxation
By reinterpreting the hospital space as a space for healing and relaxation, they have led the qualitative improvement of medical services.
3. Market Position: Leading Premium Vision Correction
They are leading the premium vision correction surgery market, but high costs and individual differences in pain remain factors for patients to consider when choosing.
Comprehensively, Gangnam EOS Eye Center presents a model of a modern medical institution combining technology and patient-centered service, and it is analyzed that Representative Director Jung Young-kwon is demonstrating leadership encompassing clinical practice, research, and management at the center.