High Myopia With Astigmatism Surgery Cost: 3 Real Factors
High myopia with astigmatism surgery cost depends on three things. A Seoul surgeon explains laser vs toric ICL prices and the full trip budget.
Dr. Kim Sun-young, Director
Cornea · Glaucoma · Cataract
Contents
Hello, I'm Dr. Kim Sun-young, Medical Director of Healing Eye Clinic in Sinnonhyeon, Gangnam, Seoul. I was a clinical professor of cornea and cataract at a university hospital, and I examine patients from abroad every week, with English-speaking staff in the clinic.
Patients with strong glasses often ask me this before anything else: "Dr. Kim, I have high myopia and astigmatism. Am I looking at the most expensive surgery?"
If you're searching high myopia with astigmatism surgery cost, I understand the worry. Thick lenses already cost you money every year.
So let me be honest: the price isn't decided by how strong your glasses are. It's decided by what your cornea can safely take. Here's how I explain it in the consulting room.
Why high myopia with astigmatism surgery cost has no single number
Two people with the same prescription can end up with very different prices. Here are the three things that make the difference.
1. Which method your cornea allows
Laser corrects your prescription by removing corneal tissue. The higher the myopia and astigmatism, the more tissue it needs.
If enough cornea remains afterwards, laser is possible and it costs less. If not, ICL is the safer route, and it costs more.
It's like a renovation budget: the house decides what's possible before your wallet does.
2. Whether your astigmatism needs a toric lens
If you're heading for ICL, astigmatism changes the lens. A toric ICL is made to correct astigmatism along the axis of your own eye.
That difference is ₩500,000 at our clinic: ₩5,500,000 for EVO ICL, ₩6,000,000 for EVO ICL Toric. I only recommend toric when your measurements show the astigmatism would otherwise remain.
3. The whole trip, not just the surgery
The surgery is one line in your budget. The full exam, the nights in Seoul and your follow-up at home are the others.
ICL lenses sometimes need to be ordered after the exam, which can add one to two days. I'd rather you plan for that than be surprised.
For high myopia with astigmatism, the real price question is "laser or ICL, and toric or not?" — and only your exam can answer it.
The medical side of that choice is explained in my guide on high myopia with astigmatism. This post only covers the cost.
Why I don't recommend the cheaper option just because it's cheaper
At Healing Eye Clinic, the same surgeon examines you, operates and follows you up. So the price I quote is tied to a plan I'll stand behind.
These aren't boasts, but facts you can check. Foreign patients pay the same price as Korean patients. We have a Google rating of 4.8 from 154 reviews. I'm an ESCRS member, and we run a lifetime surgery responsibility program.
So what will I probably pay?
These are our published prices for both eyes. Your exam decides which row is yours.
| Method | Price (both eyes) |
|---|---|
| Premium LASIK & LASEK | ₩1,990,000 |
| Clear LASIK | ₩2,700,000 |
| EVO ICL | ₩5,500,000 |
| EVO ICL Toric | ₩6,000,000 |
| Full exam | ₩150,000 |
How the lens methods compare is on our ICL treatment page and our Clear LASIK page. The full list is on our price page, and a deeper breakdown of ICL pricing is in ICL surgery cost in Korea.
A simple way to estimate your total:
| Budget line | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Exam + surgery | The row above that your exam supports |
| Nights in Seoul | At least 3 for laser; add 1–2 days if an ICL lens is ordered |
| Home follow-up | 1 week, 1 month, 3 months with your local eye doctor |
Risks and limits that belong in the budget conversation
- Laser: dry eye, night glare and regression are possible. With high prescriptions, regression matters more.
- ICL: brief glare or light sensitivity early on, and regular checks of eye pressure and endothelial cells for the long term.
- Toric ICL: the lens must sit on the right axis, so the next-day check is not optional.
I won't recommend surgery if your prescription is still changing, if the space inside your eye is too narrow for ICL, or if your cornea is irregular. How a toric lens works in detail is in toric ICL for astigmatism.
Our Korean page on ICL lens implantation has more on how the lens is sized.
Before you book
- Stop contact lenses: soft lenses at least a week before the exam; hard lenses longer.
- Bring old prescriptions: they show whether your eyes are stable.
- Flexible flights: the exam may change laser to ICL, which changes the dates.
- Ask for the record: method, lens or ablation details, and your drops.
Don't book the procedure yet — book the exam
Don't choose by the lowest number on a price list. Choose the method your cornea can carry for life.
Send us your glasses prescription and age on WhatsApp. If the exam shows the cheaper route is safe, I'll tell you. If it isn't, I'll tell you that too.
I look forward to examining your eyes in Seoul.
— Dr. Kim Sun-young, Medical Director, Healing Eye Clinic (Sinnonhyeon, Gangnam, Seoul)
Frequently asked questions
How much does surgery for high myopia with astigmatism cost in Korea?
At our clinic it ranges from ₩1,990,000 for Premium LASIK or LASEK to ₩6,000,000 for EVO ICL Toric, both eyes. Which one applies depends on your exam, so the real figure is confirmed after the ₩150,000 full exam.
Why is toric ICL more expensive than regular ICL?
A toric ICL is made to correct astigmatism along a specific axis in your eye. At our clinic EVO ICL is ₩5,500,000 and EVO ICL Toric is ₩6,000,000 for both eyes.
Can laser correct high myopia with astigmatism, so I pay less?
Sometimes. If your cornea is thick enough and its shape is healthy, laser can be an option. If correcting both would leave too little cornea, I recommend ICL instead of the cheaper option.
Do foreigners pay more?
No. At Healing Eye Clinic foreign patients pay the same price as Korean patients. There is no tourist surcharge.
What else should I budget for besides surgery?
The full exam, flights, at least three nights in Seoul for laser, and one to two extra days if an ICL lens has to be ordered. Your 1-week, 1-month and 3-month checks can be done at home.
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