Analysis Report

B&VIIT Eye Center

Lee In-sik Representative Director In-Depth Analysis

Vision Correction AI Ophthalmology Refractive Surgery

Key Insights

31-Year Legacy & Scale

B&VIIT Eye Center, established in 1994, is Korea's largest specialized vision correction hospital in Seoul's GT Tower, with over 600,000 cumulative surgeries.

Trusted Leadership & Family Care

Dr. Lee In-sik, Ph.D. from Yonsei University and ASCRS member, is renowned for personally performing vision correction surgeries on his own family, fostering exceptional patient trust.

Innovating with AI Diagnostics

The clinic features an in-house 'AI Vision Correction Prediction System,' developed from 580,000+ surgery data points. Research was published in *Nature Digital Medicine*.

Safety-First & Systematic Approach

Despite its large scale, B&VIIT is praised for its systematic examination, AI-based conservative surgery judgment, and comprehensive refractive correction services.

Representative Director Lee In-sik

Academic Excellence & Clinical Expertise

  • **Education:** Graduated Yonsei University College of Medicine, Master's & Ph.D. in Medicine from Yonsei University Graduate School. Completed ophthalmology specialist course at Severance Hospital.
  • **Academic Activities:** Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at Yonsei University Severance Hospital, Concurrent Professor at KAIST Pappalardo Medical Center.
  • **International Activities:** Regular Member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).
  • **Previous Experience:** Served as Section Chief at Siloam Eye Hospital, handling diverse eye disease cases.
  • **Specialized Fields:** Cataract, SMILE LASIK (SMILE), LASIK/LASEK (Laser Vision Correction), and Lens Implantation (ICL). Recognized expertise in presbyopia, cataracts, and high myopia.

"I do not recommend surgeries to patients that I cannot do for my family."

Director Lee In-sik embodies this philosophy by personally performing vision correction surgeries on his immediate family, including his wife (early 2000s), daughter (2011), son (2013), and son-in-law (recently). This profound commitment not only builds strong patient trust but also underpins a conservative approach, prioritizing long-term eye health over aggressive or unnecessary procedures. He advocates for doctors to swiftly adopt advanced methods while also recommending the safest options, even if recovery is slower.

B&VIIT Eye Center: Our Story & Philosophy

Legacy and Scale

B&VIIT Eye Center, originating as 'Kim Jin-kook Ophthalmology' in 1994, boasts a 31-year legacy as Korea's largest single ophthalmology clinic. It has evolved into a research-oriented, data-driven institution, accumulating over 607,000 vision correction surgeries, a foundational asset for its advanced AI systems.

  • **Cumulative Surgeries:** Over 607,000 eyes since 1994.
  • **Medical Staff:** Approximately 12-13 resident ophthalmologists, with a total staff of about 180.

Location, Accessibility & Facilities

Strategically located on the B2 floor of Seoul's GT Tower (411 Seocho-daero, Seocho-gu), B&VIIT offers exceptional accessibility, directly connected to Gangnam Station (Subway Line 2 & Shinbundang Line) Exit 9. This prime location attracts patients from across the metropolitan area, local regions, and overseas.

The facility features separately operated examination and surgery centers. Adopting a 'Hopsital (Hotel+Hospital)' concept, it provides extensive waiting areas, a dedicated cafe, and a gallery, designed to enhance patient comfort and experience.

Major Procedures & Technological Features

SMILE LASIK & SMILE Pro

  • Pioneered SMILE LASIK in 2010, achieving over 100,000 surgeries at a single clinic.
  • Received an appreciation plaque from ZEISS, Germany, for this milestone.
  • Published a paper proving SMILE LASIK's effectiveness even for high astigmatism.
  • Introduced 'VisuMax 800' for 'SMILE Pro', reducing laser irradiation time to under 10 seconds, enhancing safety and recovery.

AI Vision Correction Prediction System (B&VIIT AI)

  • B&VIIT's most distinct competitive edge: an in-house developed AI system.
  • Machine learning applied to over 580,000 eyes' worth of surgical data accumulated over 31 years to suggest optimal surgical methods.
  • Research on this AI system was published in the world-renowned academic journal *Nature Digital Medicine*, a first for a domestic ophthalmology clinic.
  • Analyzes ~60 precision examination results to predict surgery feasibility, expected visual acuity, and potential side effects.

Lens Implantation & Cataract Surgery

  • **Lens Implantation (ICL):** Actively performs procedures that do not cut the cornea; medical staff, including Representative Director Ryu Ik-hee, are certified ICL Expert Instructors.
  • **Cataract Surgery:** Specializes in presbyopia cataract surgery utilizing multifocal intraocular lenses. Employs the latest examination equipment from Alcon, USA, to ensure high surgical accuracy.

Reputation and Patient Review Analysis

Positive Evaluations

  • **Systematic Care:** Praised for a highly systematic process from examination to post-operative care, including convenient management via the 'B&VIIT Smart Care' app.
  • **Data-Based Reliability:** Patients appreciate the objective, AI-driven diagnostic results that build confidence in the recommended surgical methods.
  • **Conservative Recommendations:** The clinic is lauded for its ethical 'no overtreatment' approach, often recommending safer, albeit slower-recovering, options like LASEK based on individual eye conditions.
  • **Medical Staff Proficiency:** High trust stems from the overwhelming number of surgeries performed and the fact that directors, including Dr. Lee In-sik, have operated on their own families.

Considerations & Concerns

  • **"Factory-Type" System:** Due to its large scale, some patients describe the experience as mechanical, with long waiting times and a high patient volume.
  • **Short Doctor Consultation:** Reviews often note that optometrists conduct most examinations, leading to relatively brief face-to-face consultation time with ophthalmologists.
  • **Limited Personalized Care:** While designated doctor treatment is possible, patients may feel a lack of 1:1 close care compared to smaller clinics, experiencing issues like changing attending doctors or extended waits during follow-ups.

Summary of Actual Patient Experiences

Patient feedback highlights a balance between advanced care and the challenges of a large-scale institution. Many express satisfaction with long-term vision correction outcomes (e.g., 1.2 vision after SMILE LASIK), while acknowledging individual differences in side effects like dry eyes. The conservative recommendation for LASEK for specific conditions, despite longer recovery, is often appreciated for its safety-first principle. Furthermore, many find the pricing reasonable through various discount programs.

Comprehensive Analysis & Conclusion

B&VIIT Eye Center stands as a prime example of successfully merging 'large-scale' operations with 'high-tech' medical services in the Korean ophthalmology market. Representative Director Lee In-sik's academic rigor, extensive clinical experience, and unique trust-building through family surgeries underscore the hospital's core leadership.

Key Differentiating Features

  • **Overwhelming Data & AI:** The AI diagnosis system, leveraging big data from over 600,000 eyes across 31 years, is a significant differentiator.
  • **Safety-Centered Conservative Approach:** Despite being a large institution, it prioritizes patient well-being, recommending medically appropriate and safe procedures even if less profitable.
  • **Systematized Medical Service:** Efficient through app management and structured examination flows, though some patients perceive it as 'mechanical'.

Recommendations for Patients

B&VIIT Eye Center is highly suitable for patients who prioritize advanced technical skills and unwavering safety in vision correction. It is particularly recommended for individuals with complex conditions like cataracts or high astigmatism, especially if seeking treatment from Representative Director Lee In-sik. Patients should allocate ample time for their visits, considering the potential waiting times typical of a large, high-volume hospital.

Our Core Values

Data-Driven Innovation Unwavering Patient Safety Systematic Excellence

This report was compiled based on publicly available information as of February 2025. Specific surgical costs, medical staff schedules, or other hospital circumstances may vary and require direct inquiry.