강남 닥터ICL안과의원 - 강남안과,렌즈삽입술,안내렌즈삽입술

Over twenty years ago, when I first learned about ICL surgery, lens implantation was unfamiliar and new not only to patients but also to doctors. It was, to some extent, a nerve-wracking procedure for the surgeons as well.
However, witnessing patients suffering from high myopia—a condition that isn’t classified as a disease—who could not achieve proper vision correction with glasses or contact lenses, suddenly regain normal or even better than normal vision after just a single surgery lasting about 30 minutes, left me in awe. Even after 20 years, that memory remains vivid in my mind.
Being a new and innovative procedure, there was not much information available in Korea at the time. This made it seem like a complex mathematical challenge to me as an inexperienced ophthalmologist, and coupled with the bright smiles of patients the day after surgery and the irreplaceable satisfaction I felt as their surgeon, it has fueled my continued research into lens implantation up to this day.

As a grateful reward for these efforts, my first-author paper on lens vaulting, which is a critical factor in preventing ICL complications, was published in Ophthalmology, a journal considered the top in the field of ophthalmic clinical research, making me the first Korean to achieve this. Considering that there were fewer than ten related papers on ICL in Ophthalmology at that time, I still feel it was an overwhelming honor, and I am always grateful to the patients whose support enabled me to achieve such good clinical results. However, it is disappointing that even after over a decade, with ICL surgeries now exceeding 20,000 annually, no follow-up papers highlighting Korea’s exceptional ICL results have been published in Ophthalmology. As a researcher, I feel a sense of regret and recognize that I must continue to work harder.

Vision correction procedures not only improve the quality of life but also have significant clinical importance by allowing individuals to live without glasses or contact lenses in emergency or challenging situations. As this understanding has become more widespread, ICL, which was once unfamiliar to many, has gained popularity, leading to concerns about safety and the prevention of complications. Personally, I have felt a vague frustration with the reality that lens implantation is often regarded as a secondary procedure under the laser-centric treatment systems like LASIK and LASEK. I have been contemplating the necessity of a specialized clinic equipped with optimized facilities and personnel for ICL, rather than relying solely on laser procedures. As a result of this contemplation, I decided to open DR.ICL Eye Clinic with the commitment to provide “the best lens implantation with the best facilities and the best service.”

Through my 22 years of experience with various vision correction surgeries, including LASIK, LASEK, SMILE, and lens implantation, I can confidently recommend ICL as the best option. It is suitable not only for high myopia and astigmatism but also for patients suffering from severe dry eyes, corneal dystrophy, keratoconus, corneal shape irregularities, and those considering reoperation due to vision deterioration after laser surgery. ICL minimizes the shock to the eyes from surgery, making it the optimal treatment method.
I have continued my research on ICL through lectures at domestic and international conferences and have experience with over 15,000 ICL surgeries. I have worked diligently to improve my surgical skills, reducing the average surgery time to approximately 10 minutes for both eyes, which is more than half the time compared to the past. This reduction in surgery time helps to alleviate the burden on the eyes and promotes early visual recovery while minimizing complications. DR.ICL Eye Clinic is equipped with advanced examination and surgical facilities optimized for ICL, allowing for same-day examination and surgery. Our experienced staff provides kind and calm one-on-one consultations to address any anxiety and concerns that patients may have before the surgery. Additionally, while the ICL and cataract surgery intraocular lenses are semi-permanent, we recommend annual post-operative check-ups to ensure long-term eye health. This applies not only to new patients but also to those who have previously undergone lens implantation, helping everyone maintain the health of their precious eyes over time.