Executive Summary Highlights
Global Research Hub
A research-centered hospital collaborating with Yonsei University and prestigious overseas universities.
Technological Innovation
Focuses on 'Plasma SMILE' and 'CustomEyes' for superior visual quality and HOA control.
Authority of Dr. Kang
Four-time ASCRS Best Paper winner, Key Doctor for ZEISS and SCHWIND.
Safety-Oriented Protocols
Prioritizes corneal biomechanical stability with conservative, precise surgical design.
Eyereum Eye Clinic: Overview & Philosophy
Hospital Overview & 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 & 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.
Representative Director Dr. David Sung Yong Kang
Education & Major Career
- Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine, Ph.D. from the same graduate school.
- Ophthalmology specialist and clinical instructor at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University.
- Clinical consultant in ophthalmology at Asan Medical Center.
- Outpatient professor at Ulsan University College of Medicine, outpatient associate professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine.
Key Positions:
- 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 Performance
Dr. Kang has published **over 65 SCI-level papers (as of 2025)** and has recorded over 169 invited lectures at domestic and international conferences.
ASCRS Best Paper of Session Award - Won 4 Times:
- Won in 2017, 2018, 2024, and 2025, achieving consecutive wins.
- 2025 award-winning research identified the effect of 'lenticule removal corridor' width on corneal stiffness and astigmatism correction results.
Listed in World Biographical Dictionaries:
- 'Power List 50' by 'The Ophthalmologist' (2017).
- Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Achievement Award (2019).
Global Medical Advisory & Cooperation
Dr. Kang actively participates in technology development for global medical device companies.
- **ZEISS:** Ambassador for ZEISS (Germany), co-authored Chapters 4 and 7 of 'The Surgeon's Guide to SMILE'.
- **SCHWIND:** Principal Investigator for the 'Smart Pulse (SPT)' technology of the Amaris Red laser.
Major Procedures & Technological Innovations
Plasma SMILE
A next-generation SMILE surgery protocol developed under Dr. Kang's leadership, attracting significant international attention in 2024-2025.
- **Innovation:** Suppresses excessive gas bubble generation by lowering femtosecond laser energy and optimizing pulse arrangement.
- **Clinical Results:** Significant reduction in Higher-Order Aberrations (Coma, Spherical Aberration), faster visual recovery, and better corneal stiffness maintenance.
- **Academic Verification:** Published in the SCI journal *Journal of Refractive Surgery* (July 2025).
Low Energy SMILE
Predecessor to Plasma SMILE, pioneered and established in Korea by Eyereum Eye Clinic.
- **Concept:** Uses minimal laser energy tailored to the patient's cornea to create a smooth lenticule surface, reducing inflammation.
- **Achievements:** Contributed to shifting the global standard of SMILE surgery towards 'energy intensity' with papers published since 2016-2017.
CustomEyes LASIK/LASEK
Ultra-precision vision correction surgery for patients with irregular corneas or reoperation patients.
- **COWAVE:** Corneal topography-guided wavefront surgery that analyzes higher-order aberrations to smooth uneven corneal surfaces.
- **Indications:** Treats myopia, side effects from past LASIK (decentration, irregular astigmatism), keratoconus, and serves as preliminary treatment before cataract surgery.
ICL Implantation & Cataract Surgery
Eyereum Eye Clinic also provides advanced solutions for ICL and cataract surgery.
- **ICL:** Tracks long-term clinical results, with published papers proving biosafety over 10 years post-implantation.
- **Presbyopia/Cataract:** Utilizes 'PresbyMAX' technology for presbyopia correction and performs customized multifocal intraocular lens implantation.
Hospital Operation & Reputation Analysis
Safety & Examination System
Eyereum Eye Clinic performs about 70 types of precision tests before surgery, emphasizing **Corneal Biomechanics** testing. They apply conservative safety standards, screening patients with keratoconus risk or combining corneal cross-linking.
Equipment:
VisuMax 800 (SMILE Pro), Amaris Red 1050RS (LASEK), Pentacam, Corvis ST.
Pricing Policy
Aims for premium medical services rather than low-price marketing, maintaining a mid-to-high price policy in Gangnam to guarantee quality of medical care.
Estimated Price Range (as of 2025):
- SMILE Pro (VisuMax 800): ~4.5 - 5 million KRW
- SMILE LASIK (VisuMax 500): ~2.5 - 3 million KRW
- LASEK: ~1.8 - 2 million KRW
*Note: Subject to change. Discounts for test-takers or same-day surgery may apply.
Patient Reputation & Reviews
Positive Reviews:
"Meticulous unlike factory-style hospitals," "Eye examination is very systematic," "Dr. Kang's expertise is trustworthy." Often seen as the "last hospital to visit" for reoperation or high-difficulty cases.
Considerations:
Long waiting times and relatively high costs are mentioned. Additional costs or booking difficulties for special treatment by the representative director may apply.
Conclusion & 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 contributions provide significant implications for the medical field:
Clinical Practice & Research Synergy
Proving that research achievements exceeding those of university hospitals can be made even in private practice, practicing 'Evidence-based Medicine'.
Leading Technological Progress
Development of proprietary surgical methods like 'Plasma SMILE' pushes equipment performance to the limit for better patient results.
Setting Global Standards
Activities on the international stage demonstrate 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.