Analysis Report

SNU Eye Clinic

Chief Director Chung Eui-sang In-depth Analysis

SMILE LASIK ICL Specialist Premium Ophthalmology

Executive Summary

Institution Status

SNU Eye Clinic is evaluated as an 'academic-based hospital' that led the domestic introduction and clinical research of SMILE LASIK, going beyond a simple private clinic. Chief Director Chung Eui-sang participated as the only Korean among 11 international SMILE research doctors worldwide, contributing to the settlement of this surgical method in Korea.

Technological Advantage

The clinic has preemptively introduced the latest equipment from ZEISS, the 'VisuMax 800', to perform 'SMILE Pro' surgery, and aims for 'Bespoke surgery' that considers the patient's corneal topography and astigmatism axis.

Medical Staff Expertise

Led by Chief Director Chung Eui-sang, the team consists entirely of specialists who are former university hospital professors or fellows, and operates a cooperative system for detailed sub-specialties such as cornea, cataract, and retina.

Reputation & Marketability

It has gained a positive reputation for high expertise in high myopia and astigmatism correction, securing high trust by avoiding factory-style surgery and providing patient-customized care. However, as it aims for premium surgery, costs are analyzed to be in the upper range.

Chief Director Dr. Eui Sang Chung Profile

Education & Key Career

Education

  • 1992: Doctor of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine
  • 1999: Master of Medicine, Seoul National University Graduate School
  • 2005: Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine, Seoul National University Graduate School

Key Career

  • Completed internship, residency, and cornea fellowship at Seoul National University Hospital
  • Served as Ophthalmology Specialist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Samsung Medical Center, and Professor of Ophthalmology at Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine (approx. 15 years)
  • 2006~2007: Research Professor at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School
  • Current Representative Director of SNU Eye Clinic

Academic Achievements & Philosophy

Contribution to SMILE LASIK

  • **First Introduction in Korea:** Selected as the only Korean representative among 11 'International SMILE Research Doctors' worldwide in 2010. Performed the first SMILE surgery in Korea in May 2011.
  • **Key Doctor Role:** Received training on surgical techniques at ZEISS headquarters and transfers know-how to domestic and international medical staff as a reference doctor for SMILE LASIK and SMILE Pro.
  • **Authority in ICL:** First-generation doctor performing Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery since 2002. Currently one of only eight 'ICL Expert Surgeons' in Korea.

Philosophy & Characteristics

"Tigers leave their skins when they die, and people leave their names, but I want to leave a 'skin (hospital system)' instead of a name."

Emphasizes a systematic ophthalmic hospital system built in cooperation with junior doctors over personal fame. Known for deep understanding of patient's perspective, having personally undergone presbyopia cataract surgery.

SNU Eye Clinic Information

Overview & Founding Philosophy

SNU Eye Clinic operates under the motto "The right for everyone to continue a happy life with a clear day." The hospital name 'SNU' borrows the abbreviation of Seoul National University, implying the medical staff's academic background and their will to maintain university hospital-quality care.

Chief Director Chung Eui-sang decided to open the clinic to provide satisfactory medical services to more patients based on his 15 years of experience as a professor at Samsung Medical Center.

Location & Core Values

Location & Scale

  • **Location:** 3rd Floor (Presbyopia/Cataract Center) and 12th Floor (Vision Correction Center), ICT TOWER, 624 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Excellent accessibility near Exit 7 of Sinsa Station.
  • **Scale:** Secured a large space of about 300 pyeong, operating centers on separate floors to optimize patient flow and strengthen expertise.
  • **Medical Hours:** Weekdays 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Saturdays 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM. (Lunch break 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM)

Core Values (5 Promises)

  • **Safety Focus:** Minimizing side effects through strict guidelines.
  • **Patient Focus:** Step-by-step treatment system and personalized care.
  • **Trustworthy Medical Staff:** Composition of staff from Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Medical Center.
  • **Advanced Medical System:** Introduction of university hospital-level equipment and systems.
  • **Eye Clinic Recommended by Patients:** Prioritizing patient satisfaction as the top indicator.

Major Procedures & Technical Features

SMILE Pro & SMILE LASIK

In Fall 2023, the clinic preemptively introduced ZEISS's next-generation equipment, **VisuMax 800**, to perform 'SMILE Pro' surgery.

  • **Speed:** Laser irradiation time reduced to under 10 seconds, reducing suction loss risk.
  • **Accuracy:** 'CentraLign' technology compensates for eye rotation, enhancing astigmatism correction.
  • **Target:** Recommended for high astigmatism, corneal asymmetry, or anxious patients.
  • **Bespoke Surgery:** Customized surgery optimizing energy dosage and lenticule position for each individual.

Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)

Director Chung is a first-generation doctor in Korea who has been performing ICL surgery since 2002, a veteran experienced with both anterior and posterior chamber lenses.

  • **Expertise:** Extensive experience in ICL surgery since 2002.
  • **Zero-Toric ICL:** Possesses know-how to secure rotational stability for astigmatism correction.
  • **Safety Assurance:** Pays close attention to lens sizing to minimize corneal endothelial cell damage and emphasizes long-term post-operative observation.

Presbyopia & Cataract Surgery

SNU Eye Clinic offers advanced solutions for both presbyopia and cataracts, utilizing premium intraocular lenses.

  • **Multifocal Intraocular Lenses:** Possesses various premium IOLs (PanOptix, Vivity), selecting lenses according to patient's lifestyle.
  • **Young Presbyopia Clinic:** Actively introducing correction methods utilizing Viva ICL, etc., for the increasing number of 'young presbyopia' patients (early 40s).
  • **Cooperative System:** Specialists in cornea and vision correction, and retina/cataract provide a one-stop system.

Reputation & Patient Review Analysis

Positive Evaluations

  • **High Expertise and Trust:** Reviews dominantly show high trust in Chief Director Chung Eui-sang's illustrious career (first introduction of SMILE LASIK, etc.) and academic authority.
  • **Meticulous Examination and Counseling:** Unlike factory-style clinics, many evaluate that the examination process is systematic and the doctor directly checks the eye condition meticulously. Proactively suggesting Avellino DNA tests is mentioned positively.
  • **Surgical Results:** Numerous reviews state fast visual recovery and little pain after SMILE LASIK and SMILE Pro surgeries.

Considerations & External Recognition

Considerations & Negative Feedback

  • **Cost:** As it is equipped with university hospital-level equipment and medical staff, surgery costs are premium (SMILE LASIK mid-2M KRW range, SMILE Pro 4M KRW range).
  • **Waiting Time:** It is mentioned that booking appointments can be difficult or waiting times may occur for popular medical staff.

External Reputation & Awards

  • **Selected as one of Korea's Top 100 Doctors:** Director Chung was selected as a renowned doctor in the ophthalmology sector by Weekly Sisa Magazine.
  • **International Exchange:** Has international recognition to the extent that overseas scholars, such as the president of the German Ophthalmological Society, visit the hospital to tour facilities and surgical systems.

Conclusion & Comprehensive Analysis

SNU Eye Clinic is solidifying a 'premium' position in the Korean vision correction market based on Chief Director Chung Eui-sang's strong academic leadership and clinical experience. The historical symbolism of the domestic introduction of SMILE LASIK and the technological innovation through the preemptive introduction of SMILE Pro (VisuMax 800) are the hospital's greatest competitive advantages.

The operational philosophy that prioritizes **'Bespoke Surgery'** tailored to individual eye characteristics and **'Safety'** over simply increasing the number of surgeries acts as a major attractive factor for high myopia/astigmatism patients concerned about side effects. SNU Eye Clinic represents an exemplary model of combining research and clinical practice in ophthalmology.

Recommended For:

  • Verified Medical Staff & Latest Equipment Patients wanting safe vision correction surgery through verified medical staff and the latest equipment.
  • Complex Eye Conditions Patients with difficult eye conditions such as high astigmatism or corneal asymmetry.
  • Quality & Post-operative Stability Patients who value the quality of surgery and stability of post-operative care over cost.
  • University Hospital-level Care Patients who want university hospital-level care but want to avoid the long waiting times and complex procedures.