Executive Summary
Scale & Specialization
Korea's largest ophthalmology clinic in Gangnam, specializing in vision correction (LASIK/LASEK/SMILE) and presbyopia/cataract surgery.
Leadership & Experience
Led by Representative Director Kim Dong-su, boasting over 15 years of clinical experience in refractive and cataract procedures.
Expanded Expertise
Significantly enhanced medical scope with renowned retina specialist Professor Yu Heung-gon from Seoul National University Hospital.
Operational Model
Balances high-efficiency, systematic "factory-type" operations with a robust "7-fold prevention system" for patient safety.
Hospital Information
Location & Scale
Sky Eye Clinic opened in 2007 as 'Gangnam Balgeun Nara Ophthalmology' and changed to its current name, 'Haneul Eye Clinic' (Sky Eye Clinic), in 2008. Located on Gangnam-daero in Seocho-gu, Seoul (near Nonhyeon Station and Sinnonhyeon Station), it boasts the largest scale in Korea for a single clinic.
- Location: 509 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong)
- Scale: Approximately 1,000 pyeong (approx. 3,300 sq. meters), with more than 10 ophthalmologists residing.
- Floor Configuration:
- Surgery Center: B2 (LASIK/LASEK Operating Rooms)
- Outpatient & Tests: B1 (Outpatient/Lens), 8F (Reception), 9F (Precision Examination Room)
- Special Clinics: 2F Retina Center, 6F Presbyopia & Cataract Center
- Inpatient/Rest: 10F
Operational Philosophy
Sky Eye Clinic advocates "patient-centered safe surgery" and has established a systematic approach to handle a large volume of surgeries. Notably, it operates a "7-fold prevention system" to prevent side effects, including safety checks on surgical equipment, mandatory rest for medical staff, and safety insurance. This systematized approach demonstrates typical characteristics of a 'Factory-type' model that minimizes patient waiting times and maximizes treatment efficiency.
Representative Director Profiles
Kim Dong-su
Key surgeon and part of the management team representing Sky Eye Clinic.
Areas of Specialization:
- Vision correction surgery (LASIK, LASEK, SMILE LASIK)
- Presbyopia & Cataract surgery
Key History and Qualifications:
- Board-certified Ophthalmologist (Licensed in 2004)
- Over 15 years of extensive clinical experience
- Regular member of the Korean Ophthalmological Society, the Korean Optometric Society, the Korean Contact Lens Study Society, and the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
- Cataract/Laser Specialist certified by global ophthalmology companies such as LENSA (USA), J&J, ALCON, and PHYSIOL (Belgium).
Treatment Style and Characteristics:
Dr. Kim is known for emphasizing detailed observation, such as inferring a patient's general condition and gauging surgical difficulty through physical characteristics (e.g., foot size) in addition to the eye condition. He also strengthens communication with patients by directly introducing the hospital interior and delivering medical information through the YouTube channel 'Haneul TV'.
Yu Heung-gon (Retina Center Director)
The figure who significantly elevated the medical reliability of Sky Eye Clinic.
Education and Career:
- Graduated top of his class from Seoul National University College of Medicine (1991) and obtained Master's/Ph.D. from the same graduate school.
- Professor of Ophthalmology at Seoul National University Hospital (2001~2022).
- Served as an Exchange Professor at Harvard Medical School.
- Served as President of the Korean Association for Retinal Degeneration and President of the Korean Study Group for Behcet's Disease.
Significance of Recruitment:
Typically, private ophthalmology clinics focused on LASIK/LASEK are often weak in treating severe eye diseases like retinal disorders. However, the recruitment of Professor Yu Heung-gon, called a "renowned retina doctor," implies that Sky Eye Clinic has acquired university-hospital-level capabilities for treating retinal and intractable eye diseases beyond simple vision correction.
Other Medical Staff
Including Representative Director Lee Chang-geon, approximately 10 specialists such as Drs. Han Tae-won, Choi Hyeok-won, Choi Gye-won, Lee Dong-eun, and Jeong Won-do practice with a division of labor by field (refractive surgery, cataract, etc.).
Key Procedures & Technical Capabilities
Refractive Surgery
Offers various laser vision correction options and actively adopts the latest equipment.
- New Smile LASIK (ATOS): 5th-gen, minimal incision (2mm), eye rotation compensation, 7D eye tracking. Price: 2.2-3.5 million KRW.
- LASIK and LASEK (Amaris Red): Price competitive, starting from 990,000 KRW (event prices).
Presbyopia & Cataract Surgery
Performs cataract surgery utilizing monofocal and multifocal intraocular lenses.
- Medical staff certified for various premium intraocular lenses (J&J, Alcon, etc.).
- Lens selection tailored to the patient's lifestyle.
Retina Disease Treatment
The Retina Center led by Dr. Yu Heung-gon handles high-difficulty retinal diseases.
- Diseases: macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, floaters.
- Equipped with university-hospital-level examination equipment and surgical systems.
- Provides one-stop treatment for retinal abnormalities or intractable diseases.
Reputation and Characteristics Analysis
Positive Evaluation (Pros)
- Price Competitiveness: Many evaluations state that surgery costs for LASIK, LASEK, etc., are reasonable compared to other hospitals due to cost reductions through large-scale operations.
- Systematic System: A system with division of labor from examination to surgery and post-operative care is in place, making the process fast. Patients respond with comments like "It's factory-type but systematic" and "The facilities are clean and pleasant".
- Enhanced Expertise: With the recruitment of Professor Yu Heung-gon, medical reliability has significantly increased, spreading the perception that it is a hospital capable of caring for general eye diseases beyond simple cosmetic vision correction.
Negative Evaluation and Concerns (Cons)
- Concerns about 'Factory-type' Treatment: As many patients are processed, there are points raised about long waiting times and short consultation times with doctors. Some patients express regret about the "feeling of being processed mechanically" or the counseling process centered on consultation managers.
- Marketing and Additional Costs: While the basic surgery fee is low, reviews exist stating that costs can rise due to the addition of options during the consultation process.
- Issues Related to Ghost Surgery (Industry-wide): Suspicions of ghost surgery at large ophthalmology clinics in the Gangnam area have been reported in the media. Sky Eye Clinic emphasizes safety systems including a real-name surgery system, CCTV operation, and 1:1 dedicated medical staff management in response, but consumer anxiety remains a potential factor.
Characteristic Operational Elements
- Aggressive Marketing: engages in aggressive marketing such as appointing celebrity ambassadors, operating a YouTube channel, and SNS events.
- Claiming 1:1 Dedicated Care: Emphasizes that dedicated medical staff manage the process from check-up to surgery to compensate for the disadvantages of large hospitals.
Conclusion
Sky Eye Clinic is pursuing a hybrid strategy that seeks both 'economies of scale' and 'medical expertise' under the management of Representative Directors Kim Dong-su and Lee Chang-geon. The rapid introduction of the latest equipment (such as ATOS) and price competitiveness are key factors attracting young vision correction patients, while the recruitment of renowned doctors from university hospitals like Professor Yu Heung-gon is interpreted as a strategy to embrace middle-aged and older adults and patients with severe eye diseases.
From a patient's perspective, there is the advantage of utilizing reasonable costs, the latest equipment, and verified medical staff, but disadvantages typical of large hospitals such as waiting times and short diagnosis times must be considered. Representative Director Kim Dong-su appears to be focusing on maintaining the hospital's credibility by aiming for patient-customized treatment even within this large hospital system.
Core Values
Economies of Scale & Price Competitiveness
Efficient, large-scale operations enable competitive pricing for various procedures.
Advanced Technology & Latest Equipment
Rapid adoption of cutting-edge technology like ATOS for enhanced surgical outcomes.
Enhanced Medical Expertise & Patient Safety
Recruitment of specialists and implementation of a 7-fold prevention system ensures high medical standards.