Analysis Report
Kwon Hyeong-gu (권형구) Representative Director - In-depth Analysis
Keye Eye Clinic (카이안과의원), located in Gangnam, Seoul, positions itself as a "disease-centered" ophthalmology clinic, integrating refractive surgery with serious ocular disease treatment.
Representative Director Kwon Hyeong-gu, an anterior segment specialist, founded Keye Eye Clinic in 2017 with a philosophy prioritizing medical treatment and patient rapport over commercialization.
The clinic is notable for adopting cutting-edge refractive technologies including VisuMax 800 (SMILE Pro) and Johnson & Johnson ELITA (SILK procedure), and operates a dedicated R&D Center.
Recognized for its high-end, hotel-like facilities and systematic examination processes. Praised for surgical outcomes, though premium pricing and wait times are noted by some patients.
Dr. Kwon Hyeong-gu (권형구) serves as the Representative Director and the primary figurehead of Keye Eye Clinic. His career trajectory and medical philosophy are central to the clinic's operational identity.
Dr. Kwon emphasizes the "bottom-up" approach to hospital growth, relying on patient word-of-mouth rather than aggressive top-down marketing. He has expressed concern regarding the commercialization of refractive surgery, stating that he founded Keye to avoid the "productization" of medical treatments. He prioritizes "rapport" with patients, advocating for direct communication to understand patient needs beyond clinical data.
The defining characteristic of Keye Eye Clinic is its slogan, "Disease-Centered Eye Clinic" (질환 중심 안과). In the South Korean market, ophthalmology clinics often bifurcate into those specializing in refractive surgery (LASIK/LASEK) and those treating ocular pathologies. Keye Eye Clinic attempts to hybridize these models.
Director Kwon Hyeong-gu has stated that while the clinic performs high-volume vision correction surgeries, the fundamental goal is to maintain the medical integrity of treating the eye as an organ, addressing conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal disorders with the same rigor as refractive errors.
The clinic is located at Yeoksam i-Tower, Teheran-ro 326, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, near Seolleung Station. It occupies multiple floors (2nd and 12th), featuring a large-scale infrastructure that includes an outpatient center, a surgery center, and a dedicated R&D laboratory.
The interior design is frequently described in patient reviews and media as "hotel-like," emphasizing patient comfort and a premium experience.
The clinic is an early adopter of next-generation lenticule extraction surgeries.
A specialized center focusing on "refractive cataract surgery."
Robust capabilities for managing posterior segment diseases, reflecting its "disease-centered" philosophy.
Keye utilizes advanced therapies to treat chronic dry eye conditions.
A distinguishing in-house research facility that analyzes surgical outcomes and develops treatment protocols.
Keye Eye Clinic positions itself in the "Premium Comprehensive" segment. By offering the newest technologies (SILK, SMILE Pro) immediately upon their release, Keye targets early adopters and patients seeking the "best possible" technology regardless of cost. The inclusion of serious disease management (Retina/Glaucoma) serves as a crucial trust signal, differentiating it from clinics focused solely on vision correction.
Keye Eye Clinic, under the leadership of Dr. Kwon Hyeong-gu, has established itself as a prominent medical institution in Gangnam by successfully hybridizing the efficiency of a refractive surgery center with the clinical depth of a general hospital's ophthalmology department.
Dr. Kwon's background as a specialist in the anterior segment, combined with his experience leading major clinics, has allowed him to build a facility that prioritizes advanced technology (SMILE Pro, SILK) and research (R&D Center). While the clinic operates within the competitive and commercialized framework of Gangnam's medical district, its strategic focus on "disease-centered" care and the retention of retina and glaucoma specialists distinguishes it from competitors focused solely on vision correction. For patients, Keye Eye Clinic represents a high-end option that offers cutting-edge surgical solutions backed by a comprehensive medical safety net.
Pioneering SMILE Pro & SILK procedures.
Integrating refractive surgery with disease treatment.
Emphasis on medical integrity and patient rapport.