482 ICL (Implantable Lens) Clinics in Seoul: 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

482 clinics in Seoul are registered with HIRA with ophthalmology in their name or listed specialties.
This list consists of clinics using the registered name "…Eye Clinic (안과의원)" (481). 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 478 clinics that disclose staffing, the average is 1.9 doctors and 144 have two or more.
By nearest station, clinics cluster around 강남역 (28) · 신논현역 (11) · 압구정역 (9).
This page does not rank or recommend clinics. Use the checklist below to compare them yourself.

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens), known in Korean as 안내렌즈삽입술, is a refractive procedure in which a small lens is surgically placed inside the eye — typically between the iris and the natural crystalline lens — to correct moderate to high levels of myopia or astigmatism. It is often considered by people who have been told they are not suitable candidates for laser-based vision correction, or who prefer a procedure that does not permanently reshape the corneal tissue.

Because ICL involves intraocular surgery rather than a surface-level treatment, verifying the qualifications of the clinic and the operating physician is a practical first step. Under Korean medical law, a clinic may only use the name 안과의원 (ophthalmology clinic) if it is led by a board-certified ophthalmologist (전문의), so checking the official clinic title is one objective way to confirm specialist status before booking a consultation.

The comparison table on this page lists clinics based on publicly available information such as physician credentials, disclosed equipment, and stated aftercare schedules — not on rankings or subjective scores. Use the columns as a prompt for the questions you bring to each clinic's consultation, not as a definitive verdict.

How this was compiled

We took every clinic in HIRA open data whose address or nearest-station tag falls in Seoul and whose name or listed specialties include ophthalmology (482 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
건양의료재단 김안과병원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	61	영등포시장역	영등포구	Open	1577-2639
누네안과병원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	30	선릉역	강남구	Open	02-1661-1175
실로암안과병원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	12	등촌역	강서구	Open	02-2650-0700
365밝은안과의원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	6	신림역	관악구	Open	02-878-3650
41타워안과의원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	2	오목교(목동운동장앞)역	양천구	Open	02-6959-4107
강남밝은명안과의원	Eye Clinic (안과의원)	1	강남역	서초구	Open	533-9400

"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.

ICL (Implantable Lens) clinic checklist

1Confirm board-certified ophthalmologist status
Ask whether the physician who will perform the procedure holds board certification in ophthalmology (안과 전문의), and verify that the clinic's registered name includes 안과의원 or 안과병원 as permitted under Korean medical law. You can cross-check the physician's registration number through the Korean Medical Association's public directory.
2Verify that the consulting doctor is also the operating surgeon
It is reasonable to ask directly whether the doctor who conducts your pre-operative consultation will be the same person who performs the ICL implantation on the day of surgery. If different physicians handle consultation and surgery, request a face-to-face meeting with the operating surgeon before you commit to the procedure.
3Check pre-operative diagnostic equipment for ICL-specific measurements
ICL sizing depends on precise measurements of the anterior chamber depth, white-to-white distance, and crystalline lens vault; ask which devices are used for these measurements and whether the clinic performs them in-house. Inadequate sizing assessment is a recognized source of post-operative complications, so confirming that the clinic has appropriate diagnostic equipment is a factual, verifiable step.
4Request a written itemized estimate before any payment
The total cost of ICL can vary considerably depending on lens type, diagnostic workup, anesthesia method, and follow-up schedule, so no single published figure reliably reflects what you will be quoted. Ask for a written, itemized cost breakdown before signing any agreement, and confirm in writing which follow-up visits are included and which may incur additional charges.
5Clarify the clinic's written policy on complications and lens repositioning
Ask the clinic to provide its written protocol for managing post-operative issues such as elevated intraocular pressure, unexpected vault changes, or the rare need for lens removal or exchange. A clear, documented response policy — rather than a verbal reassurance — is a practical indicator of how the clinic handles uncommon but serious outcomes.

Warning signs

1The person conducting your consultation is not a physician
In some clinics, initial consultations or pre-operative explanations are conducted by coordinators or counselors rather than licensed physicians. Key medical decisions — including lens selection and surgical planning — should be discussed directly with the ophthalmologist who will operate, not with non-clinical staff.
2Pressure to pay or sign on the day of your first visit
Feeling urged to make a deposit or sign a surgical agreement during the same appointment as your first consultation does not allow adequate time to review the written estimate, consent form, or complication policy. A reasonable pre-operative process includes time to take documents home and consider them before committing.
3Refusal to provide a written cost estimate or informed consent document in advance
Under Korean medical regulations, patients are entitled to written informed consent and a clear breakdown of charges before an elective surgical procedure. If a clinic declines to provide these documents for review prior to the procedure date, that is worth noting before you proceed.
4Vague or verbal-only explanation of ICL vault outcomes and IOP monitoring
Post-operative vault — the space between the implanted lens and the natural crystalline lens — needs to be monitored over time, and intraocular pressure changes are a recognized consideration after ICL. Ask the clinic to explain in writing how often these measurements will be taken and what the follow-up schedule looks like beyond the immediate post-operative period.

FAQ

How long does recovery typically take after ICL surgery, and when can I return to work?

Recovery timelines vary depending on the individual's healing response, the specific lens used, and the post-operative findings at each follow-up visit. Many people notice improved vision within the first day or two, but your ophthalmologist will advise on activity restrictions — including screen use, exercise, and water exposure — based on your own progress. There is no single universal timeline, so follow the schedule your surgeon outlines for your specific case.

Can ICL be removed or replaced if my vision changes or if there are complications?

The lens is designed to be removable, and revision procedures — including lens exchange or removal — are technically possible, though they represent additional intraocular surgery with their own considerations. The likelihood and process for such interventions depend on individual clinical factors that your ophthalmologist will discuss with you during consultation. Ask the clinic to explain its written protocol for these scenarios before your procedure.

What side effects or risks should I be aware of before deciding on ICL?

Recognized considerations include transient glare or halos around lights, changes in intraocular pressure, unexpected vault measurements, and — in rare cases — cataract formation or the need for lens repositioning. The relevance and probability of each risk depend on your individual anatomy, the lens size selected, and post-operative monitoring adherence. A thorough pre-operative discussion with your ophthalmologist, covering your personal risk profile, is the appropriate place to address these in detail.

How can I confirm that a clinic's doctor is a board-certified ophthalmologist?

You can search the physician's name and registration number through the Korean Medical Association (대한의사협회) public verification system, or ask the clinic directly to show the physician's specialist certificate. Additionally, clinics that are legally registered as 안과의원 or 안과병원 are required under Korean medical law to be operated by board-certified ophthalmologists, so the official registered clinic name is itself a checkable data point.

Why does the cost of ICL vary so much between clinics, and how do I get an accurate quote?

The total figure reflects multiple components — including the lens model and its origin, the scope of pre-operative diagnostic testing, anesthesia type, and the number of included follow-up appointments — all of which differ by clinic and by individual case. Published or advertised prices often represent a starting point rather than the final total, so the most reliable approach is to request a written, itemized estimate after a formal pre-operative examination. Comparing written estimates across clinics on the same line-item basis gives a more meaningful picture than comparing headline numbers.

482 clinics in Seoul are registered with HIRA with ophthalmology in their name or listed specialties?

482 clinics in Seoul are registered with HIRA with ophthalmology in their name or listed specialties. This list consists of clinics using the registered name "…Eye Clinic (안과의원)" (481). 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

Use the checklist above as a concrete set of questions to bring to each clinic's consultation, and compare the written responses — consent documents, cost estimates, and complication protocols — side by side rather than relying on any single source of information. Individual suitability for ICL, including lens sizing, vault expectations, and follow-up requirements, can only be assessed through a formal examination by a qualified ophthalmologist. The goal of this page is to help you ask better questions; the clinical decision belongs in a direct conversation with your physician.

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