Key Insights
Large-scale Comprehensive Clinic
Sky Eye Clinic, located in Gangnam, is a large-scale ophthalmology clinic that grew from vision correction surgeries and is transforming into a comprehensive eye hospital by expanding retina and cataract centers.
Trusted Leadership: Dr. Lee Chang-geon
Representative Director Lee Chang-geon, a former Head of Ophthalmology at the National Police Hospital, built trust with "the clinic where the director underwent surgery himself" and received commendations for medical volunteering and tax payment.
Advanced Procedures & Expertise
Major procedures include 'Smart LASIK' (5th gen vision correction) and strengthened retina disease treatments, bolstered by recruiting a former Seoul National University Hospital professor.
Efficiency vs. Patient Experience
Praised for latest equipment and reasonable prices, it also faces criticism for "factory-type" characteristics like long waiting times and limited Saturday follow-up consultations.
Director Profile: Lee Chang-geon
Biography & Expertise
- Fields of Specialization: Vision correction surgery (LASIK, LASEK, SMILE LASIK, etc.) and 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.
- Regular member of the Korean Ophthalmological Society, Korean Contact Lens Study Society, and Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Management Philosophy & External Activities
The most notable marketing point in Director Lee Chang-geon's management philosophy is that it is "the eye clinic where the director underwent LASIK surgery himself," which played a significant role in resolving patients' vague fears about the safety of vision correction surgery and building trust.
- Medical Volunteering: He has continued medical volunteering at the Police Hospital for over 15 years and conducted volunteer activities for migrant foreigners in medical blind spots. In recognition of these contributions, he received the Minister of the Interior and Safety Commendation (2023).
- Faithful Tax Payment: On the 55th Taxpayers' Day in 2021, he was selected as a model taxpayer and received a Presidential Commendation, serving as an indicator proving the transparent management of the large hospital.
Hospital Information
Location & Scale
Sky Eye Clinic is a large-scale ophthalmology clinic located in Gangnam-gu (Banpo-dong), Seoul, a fiercely competitive medical services area. It operates across multiple floors, from 3 basement levels to 10 floors above ground, using most of the building for eye treatment and surgery, demonstrating its significant scale.
The facility is meticulously organized with dedicated floors for examination centers, operating rooms, outpatient clinics, and a specialized retina center, ensuring specialized patient flow.
Operational Philosophy & Approach
Initially renowned for vision correction (LASIK/LASEK), Sky Eye Clinic has evolved into a "Total Eye Care" provider, expanding its services to include presbyopia, cataracts, and complex retinal diseases. This is backed by efficient systems and continuous investment in cutting-edge equipment.
While adopting an efficient, 'factory-type' system for high patient volume and reasonable costs, the clinic strives to balance this with specialized care, exemplified by its commitment to latest technologies and recruiting university-hospital-level specialists.
Important Note on Saturday Policy: On Saturdays, only surgeries and examinations are conducted; general medical consultations for follow-up observation are not available. This is a key operational policy patients must be aware of for post-operative care planning.
Major Procedures
Smart LASIK (Smart Nova LASIK)
The clinic's flagship 5th generation vision correction surgery, utilizing Germany's ATOS equipment. Similar to SMILE LASIK, it removes the lenticule through a microscopic 2mm incision without creating a corneal flap, offering quick recovery, minimal corneal damage, and reduced dry eye side effects.
Traditional LASIK & LASEK
Performs conventional vision correction with high-performance excimer lasers such as Amaris Red. Applies Corneal Wavefront (Co-wave) technology, a surgical method customized to the patient's individual corneal topography to minimize side effects like light scattering.
Retina & Cataract Surgery
The Retina Center, led by former Seoul National University Hospital Professor Yu Heung-gon, handles high-difficulty vitrectomy and treats intractable retinal diseases, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Cataract surgeries include procedures to correct presbyopia and cataracts simultaneously through multifocal intraocular lens implantation.
Reputation Analysis
Positive Feedback
- Cost-effectiveness and Results: Many patients are satisfied with receiving surgery with the latest equipment at a reasonable price, with generally positive reactions regarding surgical results (vision recovery).
- Facilities and Cleanliness: As a large hospital, it is evaluated as having pleasant facilities and well-maintained equipment.
- Expertise: The presence of verified medical staff such as Representative Director Lee Chang-geon and Professor Yu Heung-gon gives patients confidence.
Concerns & Considerations
- Waiting Time: Complaints about long waiting times persist even when visiting with a reservation.
- Depth of Consultation: There is regret regarding "3-minute diagnoses" where consultations are centered on counselors rather than doctors, or doctor consultation times are too short to ask sufficient questions.
- Accessibility of Post-op Care: The aforementioned policy of no follow-up observation on Saturdays is pointed out as an element causing inconvenience in post-surgery management for office worker patients.
Conclusion
Sky Eye Clinic in Korea is one of the top-scale ophthalmology hospitals in the country, grown based on Representative Director Lee Chang-geon's leadership and aggressive investment. Director Lee Chang-geon drives the hospital's brand based on rich clinical experience and external credibility (such as receiving commendations).
The hospital is quickly introducing the latest technologies such as Smart LASIK (ATOS) and leaping into a specialized medical institution beyond simple vision correction through the opening of a Retina Center. However, due to the characteristics of the 'factory-type system' accompanying its large scale, there is a tendency to emphasize efficiency and result-oriented processes rather than careful consideration for individual patients or securing sufficient consultation time.
Therefore, Sky Eye Clinic is a suitable option for "patients who want to undergo surgery quickly with verified latest equipment and skilled medical staff at a reasonable cost," while conversely, the waiting times and short consultation times may act as disadvantages for "patients who want to receive detailed, personalized care through close consultation with medical staff." In particular, the fact that Saturday follow-up observation is impossible is a key point to consider when scheduling surgery.
Key Takeaways
Strong Leadership & Growth
Driven by Director Lee Chang-geon's vision, the clinic has expanded significantly through strategic investment and a focus on high-volume, advanced procedures.
Technological Advancement
Pioneering the use of advanced equipment like Smart LASIK (ATOS) and expanding specialized care with a dedicated Retina Center, showcasing innovation.
Efficiency vs. Personalization
Balances efficient, cost-effective "factory-type" operations with a need for more in-depth patient consultation and flexible post-op care, especially on weekends.