Eyereum Eye Clinic · Dr. David Sung Yong Kang Analysis Report

Executive Summary

Eyereum Eye Clinic has established itself as a medical institution leading academic research and clinical technology development in the field of refractive surgery, going beyond simple vision correction procedures, since opening in Gangnam, Seoul in 2011. In particular, Representative Director Dr. David Sung Yong Kang has established innovative surgical protocols such as 'Low Energy SMILE' and the recent 'Plasma SMILE,' receiving recognition for these achievements from world-renowned ophthalmology societies (ASCRS, ESCRS) and academic journals (JRS, JCRS). This report comprehensively analyzes the current status of Eyereum Eye Clinic, Dr. Kang's academic achievements and global standing, and the technical characteristics of the next-generation vision correction surgeries they lead.

Global Research Hub

A research-centered hospital conducting joint research with Yonsei University College of Medicine and prestigious overseas universities.

Technological Innovation

Focuses on controlling higher-order aberrations (HOA) and maximizing visual quality through 'Plasma SMILE' and 'CustomEyes.'

Authority of Dr. Kang

Winner of the Best Paper of Session award 4 times at ASCRS and active as a Key Doctor for global medical device companies.

Safety-Oriented Protocols

Aims for conservative and precise surgical design prioritizing patient's corneal biomechanical stability.

Hospital Information

Overview and History

Eyereum Eye Clinic was established on July 7, 2011, on Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (near Gangnam Station Exit 2). From the beginning, with the motto "Surgery that proves, not just shows," it has emphasized professionalism with all medical staff being former university hospital professors.

Currently, led by Representative Director David Sung Yong Kang, specialized medical staff including Directors Choi Jin-young, Park Si-yoon, Jung Byung-hoon, and Kim Kang-yoon have established a collaborative system.

Medical Philosophy and Characteristics

Unlike general vision correction clinics, Eyereum Eye Clinic firmly establishes its identity as a **'Researching Hospital.'** This signifies a system where clinical data collected through the in-house affiliated research institute is analyzed and continuously published in SCI-level international journals to receive objective verification.

In particular, it avoids factory-style surgery and takes 1:1 Customized Surgery, reflecting the unique corneal topography and biomechanical characteristics of each patient, as its core value.

Dr. David Sung Yong Kang: Global Leader

Education and Major Career

Dr. Kang graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine and obtained his Ph.D. from the same graduate school. He served as an ophthalmology specialist and clinical instructor at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University.

Representative Director, Eyereum Eye Clinic
ISRS (International Society of Refractive Surgery) International Council Member (2020-2023)
World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences Fellow
SCHWIND (Germany) AMARIS Reference Doctor (Highest Advisory Committee)
ZEISS (Germany) SMILE Ambassador and International Speaker

International Academic Awards & Research

Dr. Kang's research capability is proven by successive awards at world-renowned ophthalmology societies. He has published over 65 SCI-level papers (as of 2025) and delivered over 169 invited lectures.

ASCRS Best Paper of Session Award - Won 4 Times (2017, 2018, 2024, 2025)
Listed in 'Power List 50' by 'The Ophthalmologist' (2017)
Received Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)

Global Medical Advisory & Cooperation

He is an advisory doctor who directly participates in the technology development of global medical device companies like ZEISS (co-authored 'The Surgeon's Guide to SMILE') and SCHWIND (Principal Investigator for 'Smart Pulse (SPT)' technology).

Major Procedures & Technological Innovations

Plasma SMILE

A next-generation SMILE surgery protocol developed under Dr. Kang's leadership, gaining international attention.

**Innovation:** Suppresses excessive gas bubble generation and resects the corneal lenticule using pure 'plasma' energy by optimizing femtosecond laser energy and pulse arrangement.
**Clinical Results:** Significant reduction in Higher-Order Aberrations (Coma, Spherical Aberration) and faster visual recovery.

Low Energy SMILE

The predecessor to Plasma SMILE, pioneered and established in Korea by Eyereum Eye Clinic.

**Concept:** Uses minimum laser energy tailored to the patient's corneal condition to create a smooth lenticule surface, reducing inflammatory reactions.
**Achievements:** Contributed to shifting the global standard of SMILE surgery towards 'energy intensity' since 2016-2017.

CustomEyes LASIK/LASEK (COWAVE)

Ultra-precision vision correction surgery for patients with irregular corneas or reoperation cases.

**COWAVE:** Corneal topography-guided wavefront surgery that analyzes higher-order aberrations to smooth uneven corneal surfaces.
**Indications:** Used for myopia correction, improving vision after previous LASIK side effects, keratoconus, and as a preliminary treatment before cataract surgery.

ICL Implantation and Cataract Surgery

Eyereum Eye Clinic also provides comprehensive intraocular lens options.

**ICL:** Tracks long-term clinical results, with published papers proving biosafety for 10 years after ICL implantation.
**Presbyopia/Cataract:** Offers presbyopia correction LASIK (e.g., 'PresbyMAX') and customized multifocal intraocular lens implantation.

Hospital Operation & Reputation Analysis

Safety and Examination System

Eyereum Eye Clinic performs about 70 types of precision tests before surgery. It places particular importance on **Corneal Biomechanics** testing and applies conservative safety standards, such as screening patients with potential keratoconus risk or combining corneal cross-linking.

**Equipment:** Fully equipped with the latest diagnostic and surgical equipment such as VisuMax 800 (SMILE Pro), Amaris Red 1050RS (LASEK), Pentacam, and Corvis ST.

Pricing Policy

Eyereum Eye Clinic aims for premium medical services rather than low-price marketing. According to publicly available data, the price range is as follows (as of 2025, subject to change):

**SMILE Pro (VisuMax 800):** Approximately mid-4 million KRW ~ 5 million KRW range.
**SMILE LASIK (VisuMax 500):** Approximately 2.5 million KRW ~ 3 million KRW range.
**LASEK:** Approximately late 1 million KRW ~ 2 million KRW range.
Note: Events such as discounts for test-takers or same-day surgery may apply, but overall, it maintains a mid-to-high price policy among ophthalmology clinics in Gangnam.

Patient Reputation and Reviews

Positive Reviews

"Meticulous unlike factory-style hospitals."
"Eye examination is very systematic."
"Dr. Kang's expertise is trustworthy."
Perception among reoperation or high-difficulty case patients: "last hospital to visit."

Considerations

Long waiting times.
Relatively high costs.
Additional costs or difficulties in booking appointments for special treatment by the representative director.

Conclusion: Future & Implications

Eyereum Eye Clinic and Representative Director Dr. David Sung Yong Kang are key figures who have elevated the level of vision correction surgery in Korea to a world-class level. Their moves provide the following implications.

1. Clinical Practice and Research

Proving that research achievements exceeding those of university hospitals can be made even in private practice, practicing 'Evidence-based Medicine.'

2. Leading Technological Progress

The development of proprietary surgical methods such as 'Plasma SMILE' is the product of efforts to provide better results to patients.

3. Setting Global Standards

Activities on the international stage show that surgical protocols created by Korean medical staff can become global standards.

Overall, Eyereum Eye Clinic is a medical institution suitable for patients who prioritize **'Safety'** and **'Visual Quality'** over cost, and Dr. Kang can be evaluated as one of the currently most influential doctors in the field of refractive surgery.

References & Sources

Cited References

Biotimes, "Dr. Kang Sung-yong of Eyereum Eye Clinic: Papers and Academic Activities", 2025.05.16.
JoongAng Ilbo Health Media, "Dr. Kang Sung-yong of Eyereum Eye Clinic: Papers and Academic Activities", 2025.07.22.
Eyereum Eye Clinic Official Website, "Medical Staff Profile - Dr. Kang", Accessed via snippet.
Namu Wiki, "Eyereum Eye Clinic", 2025.09.27.
Eyereum Eye Clinic, "Research History", Accessed via snippet.
Gangnam Unni, "Eyereum Eye Clinic Info", Accessed via snippet.
YouTube, "Eyereum Eye Clinic Reviews", 2023.07.28.
Gangnam Unni, "SMILE LASIK Events", Accessed via snippet.
YouTube, "Plasma SMILE Explanation by Dr. Kang", 2024.07.22.
Health Chosun, "Plasma SMILE SCI Paper Registration", 2025.07.17.
Eyereum Eye Clinic, "CustomEyes Center", Accessed via snippet.
YouTube, "Global Doctors Praise Dr. Kang", 2025.03.27.
Biotimes, "ASCRS Best Paper Award", 2025.05.16.
Chosun Biz, "ASCRS 2017 Report", 2017.05.12.
JoongAng Ilbo Health Media, "ASCRS 2 Consecutive Awards", 2025.05.12.
Eyereum Notice, "ASCRS 2016 & Schwind Reference Doctor", 2016.05.13.
24-7 Press Release, "Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Achievement", 2019.05.20.
Kakao Channel, "ASCRS Best Paper Cumulative 4 Times", Accessed via snippet.
Eyereum English Site, "ZEISS SMILE Ambassador", Accessed via snippet.