K-ClinicKorea LASIK Aftercare: What Gangnam Hobeun Eye Clinic Says
Aftercare at Gangnam Hobeun Eye Clinic (Gangnam, Seoul) comes down to three things: use your eye drops as your doctor directs, rest, and wear sunglasses outdoors. Medication is paid separately at a pharmacy and costs about ₩40,000 for one month. Recovery varies by procedure and by person, so your doctor confirms your return-flight timing.
Why Online "Day-by-Day" Recovery Timelines Shouldn't Be Copied
Search for vision correction surgery and you will find plenty of timetables: how many days until you can wash your face, how many days until you can wear makeup, how many weeks until you can swim. They look useful, but there is a catch.
Those numbers come from different procedures, different clinics and different people. Gangnam Hobeun Eye Clinic alone offers three vision correction procedures — SMILE Pro, SMILE LASIK and Evo ICL — and recovery is different for each one.
The clinic's own position is: discomfort after surgery varies by procedure and by individual. This is not an excuse; no single schedule truly fits everyone.
So this article does not give you a day-count table. It gives you what the clinic actually tells patients, and when to ask whom.
What Aftercare Does the Clinic Give You?
There are just three things. It looks like a short list, but each one has a reason.
Eye drops are the core of aftercare. Your doctor tells you when to use them, how many times a day and for how long, based on your procedure. Medication is paid separately at a pharmacy and costs about ₩40,000 for one month.
Rest sounds vague, but in practice it means not packing your schedule after surgery day. Since you are having surgery during a trip, leave room for this when you plan your itinerary.
Sunglasses are for going outside. The clinic lists them in its pre-trip preparation checklist, so bring a pair rather than shopping for them after surgery.
What Should You Ask Your Eye Doctor Before Surgery in Korea?
Since recovery differs from person to person, ask these questions at your consultation:
- I fly home on a certain date — is this procedure suitable for that schedule?
- How long do I need to use eye drops, and do I continue after returning home?
- My job involves (long hours on screens / outdoor work / wearing makeup) — what should I watch out for?
- My itinerary includes (swimming / sauna / exercise) — how long should I avoid it?
- In what situations should I contact the clinic right away?
The last question is the one people forget most. Knowing what counts as abnormal keeps you from guessing on your own once you are back home.
When Should You Tell the Clinic Your Flight Home?
The clinic is clear on this: tell your doctor your return date at the consultation, and the doctor will confirm it based on your procedure and your recovery.
That means your return date is one of the conditions the doctor considers, not something to sort out after surgery. The right order for planning is:
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Send your approximate dates through the website chat and ask how many days to stop wearing contact lenses |
| 2 | Count back from the lens-free period, avoid the clinic's closed days, then book flights |
| 3 | Tell the doctor your return flight at the consultation so the doctor can confirm |
| 4 | Plan your post-surgery days according to the doctor's instructions |
If you book your flight first and ask later, the worst case is that you do not have enough time and have to reschedule or give up the surgery.
Flying Home After Eye Surgery: Practical Tips
Cabin air is very dry. On the day you fly home, keep your eye drops in your carry-on, not in checked baggage — you cannot reach checked baggage during the flight.
Keep your sunglasses in your carry-on bag too. You will use them from the hotel to the airport and from the airport to home.
If you have not finished your medication, take it with you. Medication bought at a Korean pharmacy may not be easy to find in the same form back home.
Dry Eye After Vision Correction: What to Know
If your eyes are already dry, how they feel after surgery deserves extra attention. Gangnam Hobeun Eye Clinic checks your dry eye level during the pre-surgery precision examination, rather than waiting until after surgery.
Some packages include a dry eye set: M22 dry eye laser, punctal (tear duct) secretion treatment and serum eye drops (PRP). Both the SMILE Pro full package and the LBV presbyopia package include this set.
Whether to add it is best decided with your doctor after you see your exam results. Rather than guessing from package names, put your exam data on the table and ask.
Can You Come Back for Check-Ups After Surgery?
Aftercare instructions are just three things, but care does not stop there. Gangnam Hobeun Eye Clinic provides follow-up care after surgery, and you can book a return visit or check-up at any time through this website.
Whether you want to confirm your recovery after going home, or stop by on your next trip to Korea, you can. Tell us the date and we will book it with the clinic for you.
Eye Surgery Aftercare in Korea: Common Questions
Q. How long after surgery can I wear makeup?
It varies by procedure and by person. Tell your doctor what you need at the consultation, and the doctor will give instructions.
Q. What if I run out of eye drops after I get home?
At the consultation, ask how long you need to use them and what to do once they run out.
Q. Can I take the subway back to my hotel on my own after surgery?
It depends on the person. Confirm your plans for surgery day at the consultation, and do not overload your schedule.
Q. What if something feels wrong after I return home?
Contact us through the live chat on this website. Ask at the consultation what situations require contacting the clinic right away.
Q. Can I return for a check-up later?
Yes. Follow-up care is available after surgery, and you can book a return visit or check-up at any time through this website.
Q. Is it okay if I don't speak Korean?
Yes. Booking and consultation can be done through the Request booking button or the live chat on this website.
Want to Ask First?
Use the live chat or the Request booking button and tell us your current prescription, whether you have dry eye, the nature of your work and your planned arrival and departure dates. We will reply first with how many days to stop wearing contact lenses and which time slots are available.
For aftercare details, your doctor on exam day is the most accurate source.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after vision correction surgery in Korea?
At Gangnam Hobeun Eye Clinic, you use your eye drops as your doctor directs, rest, and wear sunglasses when you go outside. Medication is paid separately at a pharmacy and costs about ₩40,000 for one month.
How long after LASIK or SMILE Pro in Korea can I wear makeup or exercise?
Recovery varies by procedure and by person, so there is no single number of days that applies to everyone. Tell your doctor your schedule at the consultation, and the doctor will give instructions based on your condition.
How much do eye drops cost after surgery in Korea?
Medication is paid separately at a pharmacy and costs about ₩40,000 for one month.
Can I get eye surgery in Korea if I don't speak Korean?
Yes. You can book and consult through K-Clinic using the Request booking button on this website or the live chat.
Clinics in this article
About 2 min walk from Gangnam Station
