Table of contents

• Best Clinics in Korea for Dry Eye Treatment
• Cost of Dry Eye Treatment in Korea
• What Is Usually Included in Cost of Dry Eye Treatment in Korea
• Factors Influencing the Cost of Dry Eye Treatment in Korea
• Comparing the Cost of Dry Eye Treatment: Korea vs the Rest of the World
• Cost of Coming To Korea for Dry Eye Treatment

Considering treatment in Korea? Everything you need to know e.g. — how to avoid scams, visas, interpreters, recovery tips — in our Medical Tourism Master Guide. Plan with confidence in minutes, not weeks!

---

Are you one of the millions seeking relief from dry eyes but are deterred by high treatment costs at home? Korea has emerged as a leading destination for medical tourism, offering advanced and cost-effective solutions for dry eye syndrome. From non-surgical remedies to cutting-edge procedures like LipiFlow and ReLEx SMILE, Korea provides a range of treatments tailored to various needs and budgets. Discover how Korea's competitive pricing and high-quality care make it an attractive option for those looking to address their dry eye concerns.

Best Clinics in Korea for Dry Eye Treatment

Listed below are the best clinics in Korea for dry eye treatment:

Clinic Name	Key Features	Special Techniques
Eye Plus Eye Clinic	- Prime location at Gangnam Station, making follow-up visits for dry eye management convenient and consistent - Comprehensive dry eye care, from medication and lifestyle guidance to advanced therapies such as LipiFlow to improve tear quality and increase tear production - Advanced technology and specialized eye-care systems under one roof, supporting precise evaluation and targeted treatment planning - Personalized treatment plans supervised by experienced medical professionals, ensuring therapies match symptom severity and underlying causes - Broad clinical expertise beyond dry eye—supporting safer care for patients with overlapping needs (e.g., glaucoma or retinal conditions) and delivering continuity of eye health management - Proven outcomes culture, reflected in strong satisfaction and performance indicators across the clinic’s services, including a 99% rate of achieving 1.0 vision or better with Super SMILE LASIK (recent statistics), demonstrating the clinic’s focus on measurable results and modern techniques	- LipiFlow - Super SMILE LASIK (99% rate of achieving 1.0 vision or better)
Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital	- Located in Cheonho, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital is a comprehensive medical center known for delivering specialized care through highly qualified professionals in a state-of-the-art facility. - The hospital’s capacity for advanced, specialized procedures across many departments reflects its commitment to high-level clinical standards and safety. - Its services span General Surgery (such as appendectomy and cholecystectomy), Orthopedic Surgery (knee and hip replacement), Neurological Procedures (craniotomy and spinal fusion), Cardiology (coronary artery bypass grafting and angioplasty), Oncology (mastectomy and lobectomy), Urology (prostatectomy), Gastroenterology (colonoscopy and ERCP), and Nephrology (dialysis). - This strong clinical foundation can provide reassurance to patients comparing the cost and overall value of dry eye treatment in Korea.	- No specific dry-eye techniques mentioned in the provided text.
Healing Eye Clinic	- Convenient access near Sinnonhyeon Station for easy follow-up visits, which helps manage total treatment cost over time - Highly experienced medical professionals, supporting accurate diagnosis and efficient, personalized care planning - University hospital-level equipment and advanced technology standards, strengthening the value patients receive for the cost - Comprehensive ophthalmology capabilities (from refractive surgery to cataract and corneal procedures), ensuring dry eye concerns are evaluated within the broader context of eye health - Proven focus on precision procedures (including ZEISS SUITE & Z8 laser-based premium cataract surgery), reflecting a clinic-wide commitment to advanced, high-quality care	- ZEISS SUITE & Z8 laser-based premium cataract surgery - LASIK, LASEK, SMILE - Lens implants (ICL and multifocal lenses) - Corneal transplantation

Eye Plus Eye Clinic

Eye Plus Eye Clinic is a specialized eye care provider conveniently located at Gangnam Station, known for combining advanced medical technologies with personalized, doctor-supervised care and high patient satisfaction. While it offers a full spectrum of vision correction and disease management services, the clinic stands out as an excellent choice for cost-effective dry eye treatment in Korea because it can accurately diagnose contributing factors, tailor therapy to each patient, and escalate from basic care to advanced in-clinic options as needed—helping patients invest in the right level of treatment rather than paying for a one-size-fits-all approach.

• Prime location at Gangnam Station, making follow-up visits for dry eye management convenient and consistent
• Comprehensive dry eye care, from medication and lifestyle guidance to advanced therapies such as LipiFlow to improve tear quality and increase tear production
• Advanced technology and specialized eye-care systems under one roof, supporting precise evaluation and targeted treatment planning
• Personalized treatment plans supervised by experienced medical professionals, ensuring therapies match symptom severity and underlying causes
• Broad clinical expertise beyond dry eye—supporting safer care for patients with overlapping needs (e.g., glaucoma or retinal conditions) and delivering continuity of eye health management
• Proven outcomes culture, reflected in strong satisfaction and performance indicators across the clinic’s services, including a 99% rate of achieving 1.0 vision or better with Super SMILE LASIK (recent statistics), demonstrating the clinic’s focus on measurable results and modern techniques

Find more about this clinic here: Eye Plus Eye Clinic Website

Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital

Located in Cheonho, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital is a comprehensive medical center known for delivering specialized care through highly qualified professionals in a state-of-the-art facility. This breadth of expertise supports a coordinated, patient-centered approach—an important advantage for people seeking dry eye treatment, especially when symptoms are affected by overall health, medications, or other medical conditions.

The hospital’s capacity for advanced, specialized procedures across many departments reflects its commitment to high-level clinical standards and safety. Its services span General Surgery (such as appendectomy and cholecystectomy), Orthopedic Surgery (knee and hip replacement), Neurological Procedures (craniotomy and spinal fusion), Cardiology (coronary artery bypass grafting and angioplasty), Oncology (mastectomy and lobectomy), Urology (prostatectomy), Gastroenterology (colonoscopy and ERCP), and Nephrology (dialysis). This strong clinical foundation can provide reassurance to patients comparing the cost and overall value of dry eye treatment in Korea.

Find more about this clinic here: Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital Website

Healing Eye Clinic

Healing Eye Clinic (Healing Ophthalmology Clinic) near Sinnonhyeon Station is a leading destination in Korea for cost-effective dry eye treatment because it combines highly experienced eye specialists with university hospital-level diagnostic and surgical equipment in one convenient location. As a comprehensive ophthalmology center offering advanced vision correction (LASIK, LASEK, SMILE), lens implants (ICL and multifocal lenses), premium cataract surgery using ZEISS SUITE & Z8 laser technology, and complex care such as corneal transplantation, the clinic’s depth of expertise and precision-focused technology supports thorough evaluation and tailored treatment planning—key factors when optimizing both outcomes and overall treatment cost for dry eye patients.

• Convenient access near Sinnonhyeon Station for easy follow-up visits, which helps manage total treatment cost over time
• Highly experienced medical professionals, supporting accurate diagnosis and efficient, personalized care planning
• University hospital-level equipment and advanced technology standards, strengthening the value patients receive for the cost
• Comprehensive ophthalmology capabilities (from refractive surgery to cataract and corneal procedures), ensuring dry eye concerns are evaluated within the broader context of eye health
• Proven focus on precision procedures (including ZEISS SUITE & Z8 laser-based premium cataract surgery), reflecting a clinic-wide commitment to advanced, high-quality care

Find more about this clinic here: Healing Eye Clinic Website

Cost of Dry Eye Treatment in Korea

Korea has become a popular destination for medical tourism, offering advanced and cost-effective treatments for various conditions, including dry eye syndrome. Below are some of the different treatment options available in Korea along with their approximate costs, both in USD and converted into Korean won (KRW).

Dry Eye Treatment (Non-surgical)

• Cost Range: $100 - $300 USD
• Converted Cost Range: Approximately ₩145,000 - ₩436,000 KRW

Non-surgical dry eye treatments are generally affordable in Korea and focus on alleviating symptoms through artificial tears or medications to increase tear production.

LipiFlow or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy

• Cost Range: $500 - $1,500 USD
• Converted Cost Range: Approximately ₩727,000 - ₩2,181,000 KRW

LipiFlow and IPL are advanced therapies that target the root causes of dry eye, especially for those whose condition is due to meibomian gland dysfunction.

Punctal Plugs or LASIK for Dry Eyes

• Cost Range: $1,000 - $3,000 USD
• Converted Cost Range: Approximately ₩1,454,000 - ₩4,362,000 KRW

Punctal plugs can help retain tears on the eye surface, while LASIK may be recommended for patients whose dry eyes are due to existing refractive issues.

Laser Eye Surgery

• Cost Range: $1,918 - $2,740 USD
• Converted Cost Range: Approximately ₩2,788,000 - ₩3,986,000 KRW

Laser eye surgeries often relieve dry eye symptoms by correcting refractive errors, contributing to overall eye health and comfort.

ReLEx SMILE Eye Surgery

• Cost Range: $2,272 USD
• Converted Cost: Approximately ₩3,303,000 KRW

ReLEx SMILE is a minimally invasive option that offers precise vision correction with less disruption to the corneal surface, which can be beneficial for dry eye sufferers.

LASIK Eye Surgery

• Cost: $1,150 USD
• Converted Cost: Approximately ₩1,671,000 KRW

LASIK is a well-known procedure that addresses vision correction and can help alleviate dry eye symptoms indirectly.

LASEK Eye Surgery

• Cost: $760 USD
• Converted Cost: Approximately ₩1,105,000 KRW

LASEK is similar to LASIK but with a slightly different technique suited for certain patients, offering reprieve for dry eye discomfort resulting from refractive issues.

Securing Your Procedure

Note that securing a procedure in Korea generally requires a 10% deposit upfront, which is often part of standard medical practice to accommodate international patients. Make sure to confirm this detail with your chosen medical provider, so you're well-prepared for the financial aspect of your treatment journey.

What Is Usually Included in Cost of Dry Eye Treatment in Korea

When considering dry eye treatments in Korea, it's important to understand what costs might be included, as treatment can encompass a range of methods from non-surgical therapies to advanced surgical interventions. Here's a breakdown of what you can typically expect:

• Dry Eye Treatment (Non-surgical): The costs often cover prescription eye drops and various non-surgical methods designed to alleviate symptoms and improve tear production.

• LipiFlow or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy: For advanced non-surgical options, costs are usually calculated per session. These therapies focus on providing relief by targeting the underlying causes of dry eyes.

• Punctal Plugs or LASIK for Dry Eyes: These involve more intricate, sometimes surgical interventions, and associated costs reflect the complexity of the procedures and the expertise required.

• Laser Eye Surgery: Procedures like laser surgery typically include costs for follow-up examinations, post-operative medications, and initial consultations with an eye care specialist to ensure comprehensive care.

• Dry Eye Treatment (General): A broader category where costs might include continuous management and treatment plans until significant improvement is observed. Additionally, treatments using FDA-approved technologies, such as the Aqua Laser, might also be encompassed within these costs.

While some eye surgeries such as ReLEx SMILE, LASIK, and LASEK may not have specific cost considerations outlined here, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to gain a full understanding of what each individual treatment package includes.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Dry Eye Treatment in Korea

The cost of dry eye treatment in Korea is influenced by several factors that vary depending on the specific procedure. For non-surgical treatments, key cost determinants include the type of treatment selected, the reputation of the clinic, and the severity of the condition. Advanced treatments such as LipiFlow or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy also consider the clinic's reputation and condition severity, alongside the technology employed. When it comes to procedures like Punctal Plugs or LASIK for dry eyes, costs are further affected by the surgeon's experience and the type of plugs or LASIK technology utilized. Additionally, laser eye surgery generally depends on the surgeon’s expertise, the clinic's location, and the techniques used. Each treatment’s cost may further depend on the specific treatment plan and the severity of the dry eye condition.

Comparing the Cost of Dry Eye Treatment: Korea vs the Rest of the World

Korea is emerging as a notable destination for medical tourism, particularly for procedures like dry eye treatment. The cost of these treatments in Korea is generally competitive, but how does it compare internationally? This article explores the potential costs involved in various countries and highlights any unique considerations.

Cost of Procedure in USA

In the United States, dry eye treatment prices can be quite variable. The cost ranges from $750 to $3,000 USD, often depending on the type of treatment and the specific healthcare provider. Cost considerations may include:

• Office visits
• Prescription eye drops
• In-office procedures
• Commuting costs

Cost of Procedure in Mexico

Mexico offers a more cost-effective option for dry eye treatment compared to the USA. Prices range from $100 to $250 USD for procedures like punctal plug insertion, which is known for its affordability. The cost considerations in Mexico typically include:

• Pre-surgery consultation fees
• Overnight stays for recovery

Potential Dangers:

• Limited access to follow-up care
• Varied regulatory standards

Cost of Procedure in Turkey

Dry eye treatments in Turkey are generally affordable, with costs for punctal plug insertion ranging from $100 to $200 USD. The cost considerations generally focus on:

• Pre-operative consultation
• Post-operative care
• Follow-up visits

Potential Dangers:

• Differences in healthcare standards
• Language barriers impacting communication

Cost of Procedure in Thailand

Thailand's prices for dry eye-related procedures like punctal plug insertion range between $150 and $300 USD. This country is often chosen for its affordable medical services with considerations like:

• Initial consultations
• Additional tests or follow-ups

Potential Dangers:

• Varied quality of facilities
• Possible communication challenges due to language

Cost of Procedure in Australia

Australia provides a range of dry eye treatments with costs from $180 to $1,980 AUD, roughly equivalent to $120 to $1,360 USD. This includes add-on procedures such as Lipiflow or IPL, where:

• Prices exclude overnight stays
• Health tests include eye assessments

Cost of Procedure in Germany

Though not typically a destination for dry eye treatment alone, Germany provides high-quality medical care. Utilizing advanced technologies and professional expertise, costs are in the upper bracket, often ranging significantly due to personalized treatment plans.

This comparison reflects not only the cost but also the value proposition each country offers in terms of medical care for dry eye conditions. As with any medical procedure, potential patients should weigh factors such as quality of care, regulatory standards, and post-treatment support, alongside costs.

Cost of Coming To Korea for Dry Eye Treatment

Traveling to Korea for dry eye treatment involves several costs, ranging from travel expenses to accommodation and local transportation. Here’s a breakdown of the potential costs one might incur.

Flight Costs

The cost of airfare to Korea significantly depends on the point of departure. For example, flights from major cities in the United States, Europe, or Australia can range from $600 to $1,500 for a round trip, depending on the season and how far in advance the tickets are booked. Flights may be more expensive during peak travel seasons, such as Korean holidays and summer months.

Visa Fees

Visitors from many countries can enter Korea without a visa for a short period, typically up to 90 days. However, if a visa is necessary, fees can range from $30 to $90, depending on the visa type and the traveler's nationality. It’s essential to check the specific visa requirements applicable to your country.

Accommodation

Accommodation costs in Korea can vary widely based on location, amenities, and level of comfort. In cities like Seoul, hotels can range from budget options at $50 per night to luxury accommodations costing upwards of $300 per night. Alternatively, Airbnb and guesthouses offer more affordable options, often ranging from $30 to $100 per night.

Local Transportation

Korea boasts an efficient public transportation system, including subways, buses, and taxis. A subway ride typically costs around $1, with taxis starting at approximately $3. Public transportation is a cost-effective and convenient way to navigate the city.

Meals and Daily Expenses

The cost of meals in Korea can be quite reasonable, with options ranging from street food to upscale dining. Daily meal expenses can vary from $10 for casual dining to $50 or more if opting for high-end restaurants. Convenience stores also offer affordable options for quick meals.

Medical and Treatment Costs

While the primary reason for visiting Korea is often the medical or treatment costs, they are not included in the travel expenses. However, Korea is known for offering competitive pricing for medical procedures compared to some Western countries, a factor that often influences the decision to travel for medical tourism.

Traveling to Korea for dry eye treatment involves several logistical and financial considerations. While the travel costs can vary widely based on individual preferences and requirements, thorough planning can help manage expenses effectively and ensure a smooth experience in Korea.