Analysis Report

Keye Eye Clinic

Representative Director Jeon So-hee In-depth Analysis

Researching Hospital Disease-Centered Advanced Ophthalmology

Key Points Overview

Institution Overview

Keye Eye Clinic is a specialized ophthalmology medical institution near Seolleung Station. It focuses on being a 'disease-centered hospital' with university-hospital-level equipment and research capabilities, avoiding commercial simple vision correction.

Key Figure: Jeon So-hee

Representative Director Jeon So-hee is a Physician-Scientist with a Ph.D. in Convergence Medical Science. She has significant academic achievements, including joint AI algorithm research with Google Healthcare and stem cell research.

Major Procedures & Features

Core services include SMILE LASIK (HD SMILE, SMILE Pro), presbyopia/cataract surgery, and retinal disease treatment. Uniquely, it operates its own 'Keye R&D Center' for clinical data quantification and new surgical technique research.

Reputation & Philosophy

Prioritizes building 'Rapport' with patients through a 1:1 dedicated attending physician system. High patient satisfaction from academic authority and 'hotel-grade' facilities, but services tend toward premium due to advanced expertise.

Representative Director Jeon So-hee Profile

Director Jeon So-hee is the Head of the Retina Center and Representative Director of Keye Eye, a key figure combining clinical surgical skills and academic research capabilities, deeply involved in R&D.

Education and Training Background

  • Graduated from the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine
  • Master's in Ophthalmology, Graduate School of the Catholic University of Korea
  • Ph.D. in Convergence Medical Science (Stem Cell Major), Graduate School of the Catholic University of Korea

Major Career and Clinical Activities

  • Intern and Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, Catholic Medical Center
  • Clinical Fellow and Clinical Assistant Professor, Retina Division, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital
  • (Current) Representative Director and Head of Retina Center, Keye Eye Clinic

Research Achievements and Academic Activities

  • AI and Deep Learning Research: Collaborated with Google Healthcare team, Moorfields Eye Hospital (UK), and Singapore National Eye Centre on AI algorithms for diagnosing eye diseases, including co-authoring research on 'SELENA' deep learning system.
  • Retinal Disease Research: Awarded the 'Private Practitioner Academic Award' at the 24th Seoul Medical Association Medical Awards for a paper on epiretinal membrane surgery prognosis.
  • Surgical Technique Development: Contributes to improving surgical techniques by developing unique methods for intraocular lens scleral fixation.

Hospital Information & Philosophy

Establishment Purpose & Vision

Keye Eye Clinic established a unique identity as 'Disease-Centered' in the competitive Gangnam ophthalmology market. It aims to be a "hospital with university-hospital-level medical staff and facilities that seriously considers the patients' quality of life," building a comprehensive eye care system beyond simple vision improvement.

The philosophy revolves around building 'Rapport' (trust relationship) with patients, operating a 1:1 dedicated attending physician system to ensure meticulous and continuous care.

Location and Facilities

  • Location: Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (near Exit 4 of Seolleung Station).
  • Interior: Luxurious and comfortable design, similar to a hotel lobby, for patient psychological stability.
  • Equipment: Equipped with university-hospital-level optometry equipment and operating rooms.
  • Research: Features a dedicated research space called 'Keye R&D Center'.

A hospital with university-hospital-level medical staff and facilities that seriously considers the patients' quality of life.

Medical System and Major Procedures

Keye Eye provides a comprehensive treatment system covering both anterior (cornea, lens) and posterior (retina, vitreous) segments of the eye, with specialists for each area.

1. Refractive Surgery Clinic

  • HD SMILE LASIK (High Density SMILE): Minimizes corneal damage and accelerates recovery by lowering laser energy and increasing irradiation density.
  • SMILE Pro & SILK SMILE: Utilizes the latest ZEISS VISUMAX 800 for next-generation vision correction, reducing surgery time and increasing precision.
  • Contoura Vision: Customized LASEK/LASIK surgery to correct corneal asymmetry or irregular shapes, improving vision quality.

2. Retina Center (Led by Jeon So-hee)

  • Major Target Diseases: Macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, vitreous floaters, and uveitis.
  • Diagnosis and Treatment: Early diagnosis with university-hospital-level precision equipment, one-stop services from antibody injection to vitrectomy.
  • Genetic Research Linkage: Collaboration with Keye R&D Center for genetic analysis and treatment of hereditary retinal diseases.

3. Presbyopia & Cataract Clinic

  • Beyond simple lens replacement, tailored multifocal intraocular lens implantation.
  • Immediate management of potential retinal complications during cataract surgery through cooperative diagnosis by a retina specialist (Director Jeon So-hee).

4. Keye R&D Center (In-house Research)

  • Function: Quantifies and analyzes clinical data, conducts stem cell and gene-based rare disease research, and develops new treatment protocols.
  • Significance: Demonstrates a commitment to Evidence-based Medicine and improving medical quality, distinct from typical clinics focused solely on revenue.

Hospital Reputation and Characteristics

Positive Factors

  • Patient-Centered Treatment: Emphasizes 'Rapport' and operates a 1:1 dedicated attending physician system.
  • Luxurious Facilities: Hotel-like interior, comfortable waiting areas, and advanced examination equipment.
  • High-Quality Service: Kind staff, systematic examinations, detailed explanations, and reassuring pre/post-operative care.
  • Excellent Accessibility: Convenient location near Seolleung Station, with night and weekend clinics.
  • External Recognition: Director Jeon So-hee's academic awards and global research collaborations (Google Healthcare) enhance credibility.

Potential Considerations

  • Premium Cost: Due to advanced equipment (SMILE Pro) and university-hospital-level systems, surgery costs may be higher than average clinics.
  • Waiting Time: Meticulous treatment may lead to longer waiting times during peak hours.

Accurate diagnosis is possible when listening to and empathizing with the patient's story.

Conclusion and Comprehensive Analysis

Keye Eye Clinic and Representative Director Jeon So-hee have established a clear positioning as a "Researching Hospital" and "Disease-Centered Specialized Hospital" in the Korean ophthalmology market.

1. Expertise

Director Jeon So-hee combines high-difficulty surgical skills in the retina field with research capabilities in AI/genetics to provide Total Eye Care beyond simple vision correction.

2. Differentiation

Operating an in-house R&D Center and global academic activities are key competitive advantages, offering patients high-level medical care without needing to visit a university hospital.

3. Reliability

The treatment philosophy, which emphasizes patient relationships over commercialism, positively impacts long-term patient management and trust.

Overall, Keye Eye Clinic is analyzed as a clinic-level medical institution providing tertiary-hospital-level services suitable for a wide range of patient groups. Director Jeon So-hee's research-centered moves are expected to further elevate the hospital's status in hereditary eye diseases and AI diagnosis.