Eye · 라섹

LASEK Surface Laser Eye Surgery

The surface layer of the cornea is removed and the laser works on the surface, so there is no flap. Recovery is slower: 4 to 5 days with a bandage lens.

Quick facts
  • Korean name: 라섹
  • Procedure time: About 10 to 15 minutes for both eyes
  • Anesthesia: Numbing eye drops
  • Sessions: Pre-op exam, surgery, bandage lens removal around day 4 to 5, then checks at 1 and 3 months
  • Downtime: About 4 to 7 days off work; screens are tiring for a week or two
  • Results: Usable vision in about a week; fully sharp at 1 to 3 months
  • Lasts: Permanent correction; presbyopia still develops with age
  • Typical price: ₩1,000,000–₩2,000,000 (both eyes)

What is LASEK?

LASEK (and the closely related PRK) treats the cornea from the surface. The thin epithelium is loosened with alcohol or removed with the laser itself (transepithelial or TransPRK), and the excimer laser then reshapes the tissue below.

Without a flap, there is nothing to dislodge later, so LASEK is often suggested for thinner corneas and people in contact sports or the military.

How it works

After numbing drops, the epithelium is cleared and the laser runs for under a minute per eye. A bandage contact lens is placed and stays in for about 4 to 5 days while the surface regrows. Mitomycin C is sometimes applied to reduce haze.

Who it suits

  • Thinner corneas not suited to LASIK
  • Contact sports, martial arts or military service
  • People who can take about a week off
  • Mild to moderate myopia and astigmatism

Who should skip it or wait

  • Anyone needing clear vision within 1 to 2 days
  • Keratoconus or very thin corneas
  • Uncontrolled autoimmune disease
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Side effects and risks

  • Pain, tearing and light sensitivity for 2 to 3 days
  • Corneal haze, reduced by mitomycin C and UV protection
  • Dry eye
  • Under- or over-correction
  • Slow epithelial healing

Aftercare

  • Keep the bandage lens in until removed at the clinic
  • Use steroid drops as tapered, often for several months
  • Wear sunglasses outdoors for 3 to 6 months
  • Avoid swimming for about a month

Planning around your trip

Pre-op exams in Korea usually take about 1.5 to 3 hours and include pupil dilation, so you cannot drive afterwards. Stay at least 5 to 7 days so the bandage lens can be removed at the clinic before you fly.

Eye Clinic clinics near Apgujeong

Last reviewed October 2026. General information only, not medical advice. A doctor confirms what suits you at consultation.

LASEK price in Apgujeong

₩1,000,000–₩2,000,000
both eyes

Typical range at clinics around Apgujeong, Sinsa and Cheongdam, checked 2026-10. Source: Glasswallet vision-correction cost guide (2025-2026 Korean market, both eyes). Cosmetic treatments in Korea carry 10% VAT; ask whether a quote includes it.

Full LASEK price breakdown →

LASEK questions

How painful are the first days after LASEK?

Most people have stinging, tearing and light sensitivity for about 2 to 3 days. Clinics give painkillers and numbing or cooling drops.

Is LASEK the same as PRK?

Both are surface treatments. LASEK uses alcohol to loosen the epithelium, PRK removes it mechanically, and TransPRK uses the laser. Recovery is similar.

Why must I wear sunglasses for months?

UV exposure while the cornea heals increases the risk of haze. Clinics usually ask for UV protection for 3 to 6 months.

Can I fly with the bandage lens still in?

It is better to have it removed at the clinic first. Removal is usually around day 4 to 5.

Why do my eyes go blurry again around day 3?

New epithelium is still smoothing out. Vision often fluctuates during the first 1 to 2 weeks.

How long will I use steroid drops?

Often for 1 to 3 months on a tapering schedule, with pressure checks, since steroids can raise eye pressure.

Plan your visit

Get a quote before you fly

Send the treatment, your dates and any past procedures. We reply in English with options, prices and clinic locations near Apgujeong Station.