SMILE (Pro) Eye Surgery in Korea
SMILE and SMILE Pro – Quick, Pain-Free Laser Vision Correction by Ambidextrous Surgeons
Incision Range
2mm minimum incision
Treatment Duration
2 – 2.5 hours
Recovery Period
1 week – 1 month
Advantages
Fast recovery, resistant to external impact, minimal pain and dry eye, minimal vision deterioration
What is SMILE Eye Surgery?
SMILE at Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic; the most advanced vision correction technique, combines the safety-proven FDA-approved ZEISS VisuMax with Samsung Miracle’s expertise.
With minimal corneal damage and increased safety thanks to the SMILE and SMILE Pro method and technology, combined with Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic’s copious experience and highly-skilled ambidextrous surgeons, SMILE Eye Surgery is the ideal vision correction solution.
Advantages of SMILE & SMILE Pro Eye Surgery at Samsung Miracle
Ultra-fast surgery time
SMILE Pro eye surgery is one of the fastest laser vision corrective surgeries available. With laser irradiation taking only 10 seconds per eye, SMILE surgery is ultra-fast, and just as safe.
Less Side-Effects
Thanks to the SMILE technique of making only a minimal incision, the side effects of SMILE eye surgery, including dry eye, risk of injury from outside impact, and later vision deterioration, are all reduced, and the healing process is very fast.
Competitive Pricing
SMILE eye surgery doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Our prices at Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic are incredibly competitive while still performing vision correction with official ZEISS SMILE technology.
We recommend SMILE Eye Surgery to those who:
Why Choose Samsung Miracle for Your Vision Correction Surgery?
Authentic, Certified High Quality Treatment Provider
Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic is committed to performing safe, certified treatments. We are one of only 27 ZEISS Certified clinics in Korea, and are also one of only 13 STAAR Global Alliance Agreement clinics in Korea, making us official providers of the FDA-approved EVO+ ICL.
1:1 Care in English from Beginning to End
From your consultation to your post-operative checkup, your entire care journey at Samsung Miracle is delivered in English for comfort and ease of communication. To ensure responsibility, quality and safety, we assign designated staff members and a translator for the entirety of your treatment journey .
Ambidextrous Doctors & Continued Professional Development
Our vision correction-specialized doctors use their in-depth training and dual-handed skills to provide the highest-quality, most accurate courses of treatment to each and every patient, and ensure continuous professional development to all our staff in the form of regular seminars and training sessions.
SMILE Eye Surgery at Samsung Miracle
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) eye surgery is a minimally-invasive, flapless laser eye surgery used to correct near-sightedness and astigmatism. It involves the cutting of a precisely calculated section of the corneal stroma (the thickest part of the cornea) and creating a 2mm incision with the laser, and then the careful extraction of the separated material.
As an official ZEISS certified ophthalmologist, Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic uses authentic ZEISS SMILE and ZEISS SMILE Pro technology to perform advanced laser vision correction, utilizing the safety-proven, FDA-approved ZEISS VisuMax equipment.
How is SMILE Eye Surgery Done?
STEP 01
Corneal refractive deletion cutting calculated using a femtosecond laser
STEP 02
Minimal 2mm incision on the corneal surface to remove corneal stroma
STEP 03
Removal of corneal stroma separated through a 2 mm minimal incision
Our 5 Core Technologies for Safety and Quality
2mm minimum corneal incision
2mm minimum corneal incision
Triple Focus Balance Vision Correction
Correcting astigmatism and improving vision quality
Maximum residual corneal preservation
Keratoconus prevention
Transmissive low-irritation laser treatment
Prevention of corneal opacity
Ultra-precise 0.5㎛ energy cutting
Preventing light scattering (glare and halos)
When it comes to your eye health, we do not compromise here at Samsung Miracle. Alongside using only authentic ZEISS SMILE technology, we always follow our Absolute Promises to ensure the safety of all our procedure.
Why Choose Us for SMILE Eye Surgery?
VisuMax Precision
Ultra-precise femtosecond technology for lenticule extraction without corneal damage
VisuMax penetrates the cornea, precisely adjusting the desired position and depth without damaging the anterior surface. By extracting a lenticule of exact thickness, it corrects myopia and astigmatism. This eliminates the need for corneal flap formation or epithelial removal during surgery, minimizing corneal damage.
VisuMax Tailoring
Customized energy levels and precise laser calibration tailored to each patient’s cornea
By closely adjusting the laser spacing, a uniform incision surface is created, and the resulting smooth corneal stromal surface reduces surface damage during corneal stromal separation, resulting in stable surgical results.
VisuMax Safety
Ocular suction fixation method that enhances surgical stability
VisuMax uses a curved lens that conforms to the corneal structure during surgery to hold the cornea in a vacuum. This allows the patient to maintain a stable gaze, enabling safe and accurate surgery.
Samsung Miracle’s Ambidextrous Surgeons
Challenging left eye surgery can be performed without difficulty.
In most cases, right-handed surgeons must also perform left-eye surgery, finding it challenging to perform surgery on the left eye as the bridge of the nose obstructs precise movements. However, the Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic medical team is able to make incisions on the sidelines of both eyes, allowing them to easily remove the corneal stroma without being disturbed by the bridge of the nose.
Use of the surgeon’s left hand during left eye surgery
Use of the surgeon’s right hand during right eye surgery
Unique two-handed approach enhances surgical accuracy.
Unlike the existing smile incision location, a 2mm incision is made on the sideline of both eyes, which allows for a faster surgery and recovery time. In addition, there is no risk of twisting the eye to avoid the nose when performing left eye surgery, which reduces pain and increases accuracy.
Standard SMILE Incision Location 
Samsung Miracle’s SMILE Incision Location
Advantages of SMILE Pro
01
Precision Scanning Technology & Suction Loss
The laser irradiation time of SMILE Pro is under 10 seconds. This is made possible by ZEISS’s precise scanning technology. The shorter laser duration not only reduces the rate of suction loss (a phenomenon where the eye fixation system loosens) but also lessens the patient’s psychological stress during surgery.
02
More precise correction with an automatic centration and astigmatism axis compensation system
CentraLign
It precisely detects eye movements and automatically centers the eye, ensuring optimal surgical results.
OcuLign
By compensating for astigmatic axis rotation, it provides an even more refined solution for patients with astigmatism.
03
SMILE Pro + Ambidextrous Surgeons for Smoother, Faster Healing
The combination of ZEISS’s advanced technology and Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic’s ambidextrous surgical expertise delivers even more flawless results. Two-Handed SMILE is Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic’s uniquely specialized technique, in which incisions are made on both sides of the eyes—reducing the risk of interference from the nasal bridge during surgery on the left eye.
Use of the left hand in OS (left eye) surgery
Use of the right hand in OD (right eye) surgery
Two-handed SMILE, Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic’s core surgical know-how, involves making a 2 mm incision on the side of each eye. This allows the corneal lenticule to be removed smoothly without touching the nasal bridge, resulting in a shorter surgery time and faster recovery compared to conventional SMILE procedures.
SMILE Pro vs SMILE
SMILE Pro
SMILE
|
2MHz |
Laser repetition rate |
500kHz |
|
7 – 10 seconds |
Laser irradiation time |
24 seconds |
|
Automatic |
Eye rotation correction |
TP rotation manually after marking |
|
6 hours |
Vision recovery |
24 hours |
|
Almost none |
Haze possibility |
Within 1 day |
|
Open |
Patient vision |
Closed type |
Corneal Cross-Linking X SMILE
Samsung Miracle Corneal Cross-linking strengthens the cornea by 150%.
Corneal Cross-linking (CXL) is an additional treatment to compliment SMILE eye surgery, in which riboflavin is applied to the cornea that has become thin after laser vision correction surgery, and then ultraviolet rays are irradiated, making the corneal tissue 150% stronger.
Strengthening the cornea prevents complications such as keratoconus and myopic regression after vision correction surgery, while providing excellent visual improvement due to a more resilient cornea.
How Is Corneal Cross-Linking Done?
Step 1
Part of the corneal stroma is corrected with a laser.
Step 2
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is applied to the corneal stroma and left to absorb.
Step 3
After the solution is fully absorbed, the remainder is rinsed off.
Step 4
The corneal tissue is strengthened by exposing it to UVA rays.
Corneal Cross-Linking is provided free of charge for all SMILE and SMILE Pro patients at Samsung Miracle
Why is SMILE So Expensive?
Dr. Cho answers this common question from patients, explaining how the pricing for authentic ZEISS SMILE laser eye surgery is established.
One-Day Treatment at Samsung Miracle
Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic’s eye examination and vision correction process is optimized for people on short schedules. Whether you’re seeking a vision correction solution on vacation, or simply a busy person, our incredibly thorough examination process and your chosen vision correction surgery can be performed in the same day, with a short follow-up examination recommended the following day.
How Do Our Laser Vision Correction Options Compare?
Correction of corneal stroma without removing the corneal surface
Less pain, less dry eye, faster recovery, minimal tear film nerve damage, and resistance to external impact
High cost compared to LASIK and LASEK. Surgery is not possible if the cornea is thin.
A thin flap is created in the corneal epithelium, the flap is opened, and a laser is irradiated to the corneal stroma.
Less pain, better vision the day after surgery
If the cornea is thinner than the standard thickness, surgery is not possible and it is vulnerable to external impact.
Only the corneal epithelium, which can be naturally regenerated, is removed and the laser is irradiated to the corneal stroma.
Minimizes side effects, reduces dry eye, and is resistant to external impact.
Pain compared to LASIK, requires management until corneal epithelial regeneration
Inserting a lens of a certain degree into the iris while preserving the retina
Fast recovery, reduced glare and dry eye, reduced myopia progression, and possible return to original condition
Compared to LASIK and LASEK, if the lens size is not right, re-surgery is necessary.
What Do Our Patients Say?
Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic Gangnam Branch
Gangnam District, Teheran-ro, 115 7층, 14층
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This is an amazing clinic for vision correction surgery! I flew in for the week … More to have ICL to correct my terrible vision. I had extremely high myopia and the surgery was quick painless and very fast. Jacob helped me throughout and spoke fluent English. He was extremely helpful throughout the entire procedure and made me feel comfortable and relaxed. Dr. Cho is extremely skilled and quick. It was an amazing experience and my vision is perfect now with no side effects. I could not ask for a better experience. Thank you!
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My brother who is an optometrist in the US recommended me look into EVO ICL procedure … More due to the fact I am not a candidate for LASIK. I chose Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic as one of only 13 STAAR Surgical Reference Doctor Clinics. I came in at 10 am and by 12:30 pm I had started my procedure ! I went out that evening and could see everything quite clearly.
Thanks so much to the clinic for their incredible work, everything exceeded my expectations. -
The best place and absolutely highly recommended clinic at Gangnam for vision correction. … More I did the SMILE Pro surgery by Dr Kim. Prices are foreigner friendly too. Super reasonable for brand new eyes and no “foreigner prices”. Booking was also surprisingly easy! Not very long wait time.
Special mention to Jacob - the international operations manager - assisted me throughout my consultation and ensured I have no worries prior to surgery. What I love about this place is there was no pressure to perform operation because we were honestly advised whether we are suitable for the surgery. I went through detailed checks for my eye health to ensure I’m suitable for SMILE Pro surgery. I chose Pro just for shorter operation time, but after going through it, I think even SMILE on its own is very reassuring.
My surgery was completed within 30 minutes from eye checks (maybe even less) consultation to operation and post op check. Surgery was just 1-2 minutes each eye.. it was surprising!
Recovery - I recovered within the day. Post surgery downtime was 4 hours - you will feel very spicy eyes once the anaesthesia wears off. It was very uncomfortable for me as I’m not very good at the tolerating cut onions anyway, so that made sense with my pain tolerance. I was just amazed that when we were adviced that it will hurt for 4 hours and that was exactly the down time I had.
Immediately after 4 hours, I’ve recovered. Sometimes I think they did some magical spell on me and gave me back my vision.
Again, Highly recommended! Honestly, no complaints at all. I’m back in Australia now with 20/20 vision, no dry eyes or vertigo.
Thank you again Dr Kim, Jacob, and all the team at Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic. (Oh! Coffee was amazing too 🤣) -
I had SMILE Pro surgery at Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic, and the experience was amazing. … More The staff were very professional and friendly, and the whole process was quick and comfortable. My vision is now perfect, and I had no pain or dryness after recovery. Highly recommend this clinic to anyone considering vision correction!
Our Process for International Patients
Get your SMILE Quote Now!
Why Us For International Patients?
Highest Quality, Smarter Price
Get the highest quality for less, with transparent pricing you can check before you book.
Safe SMILE with Genuine German Technology
Performed using authentic German laser equipment for precise, reliable results.
English Care From Start to Finish
Feel confident at every step with a dedicated English-speaking team for consultation, surgery, and aftercare.
Get SMILE in 1 Day, Enjoy Korea the Next
Complete your exam and surgery in one visit, with a streamlined system designed for international patients.
Samsung Miracle Eye is ZEISS Certified
At Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic, every patient who undergoes SMILE Pro surgery receives a ZEISS SMILE Card certifying that the procedure was performed using authentic VisuMax technology, developed by Carl Zeiss of Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SMILE laser eye surgery?
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a minimally-invasive, flapless laser eye surgery used to correct near-sightedness and astigmatism. It works by cutting a precisely calculated section of the corneal stroma and removing that separated material through a minimal incision.
How big is the incision in SMILE surgery?
The incision can be as small as 2mm, which is designed to minimize corneal damage and support faster healing.
How is SMILE laser eye surgery done (step by step)?
The procedure is performed in three main steps: (1) a femtosecond laser cuts the calculated refractive section in the corneal stroma, (2) a minimal 2mm incision is created on the corneal surface, and (3) the separated corneal stroma is removed through that small incision.
What are the main advantages of SMILE and SMILE Pro?
Key benefits include ultra-fast surgery time, reduced side effects due to the minimal incision (including less dry eye, reduced risk from external impact, and reduced later vision deterioration), and fast healing.
Who is SMILE laser eye surgery recommended for?
It’s recommended for people who want to return to daily life quickly after surgery, want to minimize corneal damage, enjoy outdoor activities and exercise, and are concerned about dry eyes after surgery.
How fast is SMILE Pro compared to SMILE?
SMILE Pro has a laser irradiation time under 10 seconds (shown as 7–10 seconds), while SMILE is at 24 seconds. Vision recovery is around about 6 hours for SMILE Pro and about 24 hours for SMILE.
What features are highlighted for SMILE Pro’s accuracy and stability?
SMILE Pro is uses precise scanning technology to shorten laser time and reduce suction loss, plus an automatic centration and astigmatism axis compensation system. Two features are CentraLign (automatic centering) and OcuLign (astigmatic axis rotation compensation).
What are the “core technologies” described for safety and quality in SMILE?
Five items: a 2mm minimum corneal incision; “Triple Focus Balance Vision Correction” (correcting astigmatism and improving vision quality); maximum residual corneal preservation (keratoconus prevention); transmissive low-irritation laser treatment (prevention of corneal opacity); and ultra-precise 0.5㎛ energy cutting (to help prevent light scattering such as glare and halos).
What is corneal cross-linking (CXL) when combined with SMILE, and why add it?
Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is an additional treatment that applies riboflavin (vitamin B2) to the cornea and then exposes it to UVA rays to strengthen corneal tissue (150% stronger). It helps prevent complications such as keratoconus and myopic regression after vision correction surgery while supporting visual improvement.
Can the exam and vision correction surgery be done in one day?
Yes. The process is optimized for short schedules, with a thorough examination and the chosen vision correction surgery performed on the same day, and a short follow-up examination recommended the following day.