Price guide · 백내장 수술
How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost in Apgujeong and Gangnam?
With national insurance, monofocal cataract surgery costs about 200,000 to 300,000 KRW per eye out of pocket, while multifocal lens surgery runs about 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 KRW per eye.
Price snapshot
- Treatment: Cataract Surgery
- Korean name: 백내장 수술
- Options compared: 6
- VAT: Usually included in quoted cosmetic prices; ask
- Checked: October 2026
Cataract Surgery prices by option
| Option | Typical KRW | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monofocal lens, NHIS copay per eye | ₩200,000–₩300,000 | NHIS enrollees only |
| Monofocal lens, both eyes copay | ₩400,000–₩600,000 | |
| Multifocal lens fee only, Gangnam listings per eye | ₩600,000–₩2,700,000 | Median about 995,000 KRW; covered surgery fee is billed on top |
| Multifocal surgery, total per eye | ₩2,000,000–₩5,000,000 | |
| HIRA multifocal non-covered median | ₩2,000,000–₩2,200,000 | Max reported 6,800,000-9,000,000 KRW |
| Cataract pre-op exam package | ₩19,500–₩95,000 | Gangnam/Seocho clinic listings |
At 1 USD = 1,325.06 KRW (YCharts reference rate for 23 October 2026, checked 28 October 2026), multifocal surgery per eye at 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 KRW is about US$1,509 to US$3,773.
What changes the price
- Lens type: monofocal, multifocal, EDOF
- Lens brand (e.g. Vivity, FineVision, PreciSion GO)
- NHIS coverage status
- Hospital level (university hospitals charge higher copays)
- Femtosecond laser assistance
What a quote usually includes
- Surgery, lens and same-day care
- Early follow-ups
Costs people forget
- Pre-op exam
- Eye drops
- Glasses for near or far after monofocal lens
How to avoid overpaying
- Check whether multifocal quotes include the surgery fee or only the lens
- Private insurance in Korea often pays only a limited outpatient amount for multifocal lenses; check your policy
- Visitors without NHIS pay the uninsured rate even for monofocal surgery; ask for the full price
Sources
- isclinic.co.kr: cataract surgery cost 2026 (monofocal, multifocal, HIRA figures)(checked 2026-10)
- Modoodoc: multifocal cataract lens prices 2026 (Gangnam listings)(checked 2026-10)
- Modoodoc: cataract pre-op exam prices 2026(checked 2026-10)
- Glasswallet: cataract cost (HIRA 2024 non-covered data)(checked 2026-10)
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices change often; confirm with the clinic before booking. General information only, not medical advice. A doctor confirms what suits you at consultation.
Cataract Surgery cost questions
Why do some multifocal listings show only 600,000 KRW?
Many Gangnam listings price only the lens. The NHIS-covered surgery fee is billed on top.
What is my out-of-pocket cost for a monofocal lens with NHIS?
About 200,000 to 300,000 KRW per eye, or 400,000 to 600,000 KRW for both eyes.
How much does multifocal cataract surgery cost per eye in total?
About 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 KRW per eye. HIRA data put the multifocal median around 2,000,000 to 2,200,000 KRW.
How much is the cataract work-up exam?
Gangnam and Seocho clinic listings range from 19,500 to 95,000 KRW depending on the tests.
Will Korean private insurance pay for a multifocal lens?
Outpatient limits in many policies are low, often 200,000 to 300,000 KRW, so most of the lens cost stays with you. Check your policy terms.
Do I pay more as a visitor?
Yes. Without NHIS, even monofocal surgery is billed at the full price; ask for it in writing.
Plan your visit
Get a written quote
Tell us the treatment and your dates. We send prices in KRW, what is included, and which clinics near Apgujeong Station can see you.