16 LASEK / PRK Clinics in Mapo: A Public-Data Comparison for International Patients

We do not recommend or endorse any clinic. No rankings, ratings or reviews — only verifiable public information.

Key facts

16 clinics in Mapo are registered with HIRA with ophthalmology in their name or listed specialties.
This list consists of clinics using the registered name "…Eye Clinic (안과의원)" (16). Under Korean medical law only board-certified specialists may open a clinic under that name, so the sign alone is a verifiable signal. General clinics that merely list ophthalmology as a practice area are not included.
Among 15 clinics that disclose staffing, the average is 1.3 doctors and 3 have two or more.
By nearest station, clinics cluster around 공덕역 (3) · 망원역 (3) · 마포역 (2).
This page does not rank or recommend clinics. Use the checklist below to compare them yourself.

LASEK (라섹) and PRK are surface-based laser vision correction procedures in which the outermost layer of the cornea is gently treated before the laser reshapes the underlying tissue. Unlike procedures that create a corneal flap, these methods are often considered by people who have thinner corneas, participate in contact sports, or have been advised against flap-based surgery after a thorough eye examination.

Because vision correction surgery involves permanent changes to corneal tissue, verifying the credentials and role of the person performing your procedure matters significantly. Under Korean medical law, a clinic using the designation 안과의원 (ophthalmology clinic) in its registered name may only be operated by a board-certified ophthalmologist (전문의), which provides one verifiable starting point when comparing facilities.

The comparison table on this page lists publicly available information about each clinic — such as equipment, consultation structure, and after-care policy — and is not a ranking. Use it alongside the checklist below to form your own questions before consulting a physician.

How this was compiled

We took every clinic in HIRA open data whose address or nearest-station tag falls in Mapo and whose name or listed specialties include ophthalmology (16 clinics).
Columns are: registered name type (signal of a board-certified founder), number of doctors, area and nearest station, website, phone, and published hours — all public data. We do not use reviews or ratings.
"Clinics covered" are those with the most public information available (ties broken by most recently verified); this is not a ranking. The full list is in Korean alphabetical order.

At a glance

Clinic	Registered name	Doctors	Nearest station	Area	Website	Phone
신촌김안과의원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	2	신촌(지하)역	마포구	Open	02-332-2972
삼성안과의원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	1	망원역	마포구	Open	02-333-7581
서울투명안과의원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	1	망원역	마포구	Open	02-322-2020
공덕안과의원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	4	공덕역	마포구	—	02-704-3088
공안과의원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	1	월드컵경기장(성산)역	마포구	—	02-376-0750
마포안과의원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	1	공덕역	마포구	—	02-701-5327

"Clinics covered" are those with the most public information available (ties broken by most recently verified); this is not a ranking. The full list is in Korean alphabetical order.

LASEK / PRK clinic checklist

1Verify specialist credentials
Confirm that the surgeon who will perform your procedure holds board certification in ophthalmology, not just general medicine. You can request to see the physician's license number and cross-reference it with the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute registry.
2Confirm the operating surgeon is your consulting physician
Ask explicitly whether the doctor who conducts your pre-operative consultation will also be the one operating the laser equipment on the day of surgery. If the answer is ambiguous or the clinic cannot commit in writing, clarify this before signing any consent form.
3Check corneal thickness and suitability testing
LASEK and PRK require precise pre-operative measurements including corneal topography, pachymetry, and tear film assessment; these are specific to surface ablation planning. Ask which instruments are used for these tests and whether the results will be explained to you in detail before any decision is made.
4Understand the post-operative bandage lens and care schedule
Because surface-based procedures involve epithelial removal, a bandage contact lens is typically placed immediately after surgery and the healing timeline differs from flap-based methods. Request a written after-care schedule that specifies follow-up visit intervals, when the bandage lens is removed, and what medication regimen is expected.
5Obtain a written itemized cost estimate
Pricing for laser vision correction varies widely depending on the laser platform, pre-operative tests, medications, and follow-up visits included. Ask for a written breakdown before any payment is made, and clarify which items are bundled and which may incur additional charges.

Warning signs

1Consultation conducted by non-physician staff
If the person explaining surgery options, reviewing your test results, or recommending a procedure is not a licensed physician, that is a meaningful gap in the consultation process. Medical recommendations and surgical planning should come directly from the ophthalmologist who will be responsible for your care.
2Same-day payment pressure or bundled package urgency
Being encouraged to pay in full or commit to a package on the same day as your first consultation does not allow adequate time to review written estimates or seek a second opinion. A well-structured clinic will provide documentation and allow you time to decide without pressure.
3Refusal to provide written cost breakdown or consent documents in advance
A clinic that cannot or will not provide a written, itemized fee estimate and a pre-operative informed consent document for review before the procedure date makes it difficult for you to make an informed decision. Reviewing these documents ahead of time is a basic patient right.
4No clear policy on managing post-operative haze or retreatment
Surface ablation procedures carry a specific risk of subepithelial haze formation during the healing period, which can affect visual quality. Before proceeding, ask the clinic in writing how this complication is monitored, what treatment is available, and under what conditions a retreatment — if ever appropriate — would be considered and how costs would be handled.

FAQ

How long does recovery typically take after LASEK or PRK compared to other laser procedures?

Because surface-based procedures require the corneal epithelium to regenerate, the initial recovery period — during which vision may be blurry and discomfort is common — is generally longer than with flap-based techniques. The timeline varies considerably between individuals depending on factors such as the amount of correction needed and personal healing rate. Your examining ophthalmologist can give you a more individualized estimate based on your pre-operative measurements.

How do I confirm that the clinic I am visiting is staffed by a board-certified ophthalmologist?

Under Korean medical law, a facility registered under the name 안과의원 must be directed by a physician who has completed ophthalmology specialty training and holds a specialist certificate. You can ask the clinic directly to show the operating physician's specialty license, and you may verify the license number through the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute's public registry. Checking this before your consultation is a reasonable and straightforward step.

What should I ask about the management of subepithelial haze after the procedure?

Subepithelial haze is a known possibility following surface ablation, and its likelihood and severity can depend on the degree of correction and individual wound-healing response. Ask your ophthalmologist what monitoring schedule is planned during the healing phase, which signs would prompt additional treatment, and what that treatment might involve. Getting this information in writing as part of your after-care plan is advisable.

Is there a minimum waiting period between LASEK and any future corrective procedure if my vision changes?

Decisions about any additional laser treatment after an initial procedure depend on many individual factors, including corneal thickness remaining after the first surgery, stability of the refractive error over time, and overall eye health. There is no universal fixed interval that applies to everyone; this is something that must be evaluated individually through examination. Your ophthalmologist should explain the criteria they use before you agree to any initial surgery.

How should I compare cost estimates from different clinics, and what should the written quote include?

A useful written estimate should itemize pre-operative diagnostic tests, the procedure itself, any medications prescribed, bandage contact lenses, and the number and timing of included post-operative visits. Ask each clinic whether follow-up appointments beyond a certain period are charged separately, and whether any complication management is included. Comparing line-by-line rather than looking only at a headline figure will help you understand what each clinic's quote actually covers.

16 clinics in Mapo are registered with HIRA with ophthalmology in their name or listed specialties?

16 clinics in Mapo are registered with HIRA with ophthalmology in their name or listed specialties. This list consists of clinics using the registered name "…Eye Clinic (안과의원)" (16). Under Korean medical law only board-certified specialists may open a clinic under that name, so the sign alone is a verifiable signal. General clinics that merely list ophthalmology as a practice area are not included.

Closing note

The checklist and warning signals above are designed to help you ask concrete, verifiable questions at each clinic rather than rely on impressions alone. Bring the written estimates, consent documents, and after-care schedules you receive to your consultation and review them carefully before making any decision. Ultimately, the suitability of any vision correction procedure for your eyes should be determined through a thorough examination and direct discussion with a qualified ophthalmologist.

This guide is for information only and is not medical advice. Decide on any procedure only after consulting a doctor. Results vary between individuals.