Key Insights
Large-Scale Comprehensive Eye Clinic
Sky Eye Clinic in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, initially focused on LASIK/LASEK, is evolving into a comprehensive eye hospital with retina and cataract centers.
Trusted Director Lee Chang-geon
Former Head of Ophthalmology at the National Police Hospital, built trust with the slogan "The clinic where the director underwent surgery himself." Awarded commendations for service and tax payment.
Advanced Vision Correction & Retina Care
Features 'Smart LASIK (Smart Nova LASIK)', the 5th generation surgery, alongside traditional procedures, and strengthened retina disease treatment with a former Seoul National University Hospital professor.
Efficiency vs. Personalization
Praised for latest equipment, reasonable prices, and systematic operations. However, criticized for long waiting times and mechanical consultation typical of "factory-type clinics." Saturday policy is a key consideration.
Representative Director Lee Chang-geon
Biography & Expertise
Fields of Specialization:
- Vision correction surgery (LASIK, LASEK, SMILE LASIK, etc.)
- Anterior segment diseases.
Major Career:
- Ophthalmology Specialist and Ph.D. in Medicine.
- Served as Head of Ophthalmology at the National Police Hospital.
- Trained at IROC (Institute for Refractive and Ophthalmic Surgery) in Zurich, Switzerland (Dr. Theo Seiler, world authority in refractive surgery).
- Regular member of the Korean Ophthalmological Society, Korean Contact Lens Study Society, and Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Note: Care should be taken not to confuse him with Dr. Lee Chang-geon, a nuclear engineer (former President of the Korea Nuclear Culture Foundation), who has the same name.
Management Philosophy & External Activities
"The eye clinic where the director underwent LASIK surgery himself."
This slogan built patient trust by addressing concerns about vision correction surgery safety.
Social Contributions:
- Medical Volunteering: Over 15 years at the Police Hospital and for migrant foreigners. Received **Minister of the Interior and Safety Commendation** (2023).
- Faithful Tax Payment: Selected as a model taxpayer, received a **Presidential Commendation** (2021), indicating transparent hospital management.
Hospital Information & Philosophy
Location & Scale
Sky Eye Clinic is a large-scale ophthalmology clinic situated in a competitive medical hub: Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu (Banpo-dong), Seoul.
It operates as a major medical institution, occupying most floors from the 3rd basement level to the 10th floor above ground in a standalone building. This extensive facility allows for specialized patient flow, separating examination centers, operating rooms, outpatient clinics, and the retina center across different floors.
Operational Philosophy & Vision
The clinic's philosophy is rooted in 'Total Eye Care', transitioning from a vision correction-focused clinic to a comprehensive eye hospital. This is achieved through aggressive investment in state-of-the-art equipment and recruitment of top-tier medical staff.
A core tenet is 'equipment investment equals surgical results', ensuring patients receive treatment with the latest technologies. Furthermore, the internal operational structure emphasizes efficiency through a specialized division of labor, aiming for a systematic and streamlined patient experience.
The establishment of a Retina Center led by former SNU Hospital Professor Yu Heung-gon exemplifies their commitment to elevating treatment levels to university-hospital standards, addressing complex diseases beyond typical clinic capabilities.
Major Procedures & Equipment
Smart LASIK (Smart Nova LASIK)
This is the 5th generation vision correction surgery, utilizing **ATOS equipment from Schwind, Germany**. It's marketed internally as 'Smart Nova LASIK'.
- Technical Features: Similar to SMILE LASIK, it separates a lenticule via laser permeating the corneal surface without creating a corneal flap, removing it through a microscopic 2mm incision.
- Advantages: Excellent for astigmatism correction due to cyclotorsion compensation, minimizes corneal damage, leading to faster recovery and reduced dry eye side effects.
LASIK and LASEK
Traditional yet advanced vision correction surgeries are actively performed with high-performance equipment.
- Equipment: Utilizes high-performance excimer lasers such as Amaris Red.
- Corneal Wavefront (Co-wave): Applies a customized surgical method based on the patient's individual corneal topography to minimize side effects like light scattering.
Retina and Cataract Surgery
Beyond vision correction, the clinic offers advanced treatments for complex eye conditions.
- Retina Surgery: Capable of high-difficulty surgeries such as vitrectomy, equipped with university-hospital-level equipment and an emergency surgery system, led by Professor Yu Heung-gon.
- Cataracts: Performs surgeries for presbyopia and cataracts simultaneously through multifocal intraocular lens implantation and other advanced techniques.
Reputation Analysis
Positive Factors
- Cost-effectiveness & Results: High satisfaction with reasonable prices for surgeries using the latest equipment, and generally positive outcomes for vision recovery.
- Facilities & Cleanliness: Praised as a large hospital with pleasant facilities and well-maintained, advanced equipment.
- Expertise: The presence of verified medical staff, including Representative Director Lee Chang-geon and Professor Yu Heung-gon, instills patient confidence.
Considerations & Concerns
- Long Waiting Times: Persistent complaints about lengthy waits, even with reservations, due to high patient volume.
- Limited Consultation Depth: Criticism of "3-minute diagnoses" where consultations are often counselor-led, and insufficient doctor face-time to ask questions.
- Saturday Post-op Care Policy: The policy of no general medical consultations or follow-up observations on Saturdays is a major inconvenience, especially for office workers needing post-surgery management.
Conclusion
**Sky Eye Clinic** stands as one of Korea's premier ophthalmology hospitals, a testament to Representative Director Lee Chang-geon's leadership and strategic investments. Director Lee himself solidifies the clinic's brand through extensive clinical experience and external credibility, including national commendations.
The hospital aggressively adopts cutting-edge technologies like **Smart LASIK (ATOS)** and has evolved into a specialized medical institution, moving beyond simple vision correction with the establishment of its advanced **Retina Center**.
However, characteristic of its large-scale, **'factory-type system'**, the clinic prioritizes efficiency and surgical outcomes. This can sometimes come at the expense of individualized patient attention and extended consultation times, leading to a balance between systematic care and personalized experience.
Key Takeaways for Patients:
Advanced Care & Expertise
Ideal for those seeking verified latest equipment and skilled medical staff for quick surgery at a reasonable cost.
Efficiency vs. Personal Touch
Be aware of potential waiting times and shorter consultation durations, reflecting its systematic, high-volume operational model.
Saturday Policy Consideration
Crucial to note that Saturday follow-up observations are unavailable, which may impact post-operative management for some patients.