Is it worth flying to Korea for SMILE Pro surgery?

What is SMILE Pro?

The SMILE Pro procedure is an advanced version of the standard SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction).

• SMILE uses a femtosecond laser to create a lenticule inside the cornea and remove it through a small incision — no flap.
• SMILE Pro upgrades that with faster laser scanning, better alignment (visual and astigmatism axes) and some clinics report improved precision and faster recovery.
• For example, one clinic says SMILE Pro’s laser scan time is under 10 seconds compared to ~25 seconds for standard SMILE, which reduces suction time and potential tissue deformation.

Cost of SMILE Pro in Korea vs Other Places

In Korea:

• One source lists SMILE Pro in Korea at around ₩4,500,000 (≈ USD 3,240) for both eyes in one clinic’s list.
• Another source gives typical SMILE (not necessarily “Pro”) prices in Korea of ~₩2,800,000 to ₩6,000,000 (~USD 1,925–4,130) depending on clinic and technology.
• A specific listing: SMILE Pro (newest generation) ₩4,500,000-₩6,500,000 (~USD 3,450-4,900) for both eyes.

In the United States / other countries:

• One article cites that SMILE Pro in the US costs about USD 3,500-6,000 per eye. In contrast, Korean price ~USD 3,400 for both eyes.
• So, the differential: Korea offers world-class technology at a significantly lower cost (when you include both eyes) compared to many Western markets.

Quality & Technology: What Korea Offers

• Korea has clinics using latest generation equipment (e.g., ZEISS VisuMax 800) which supports the SMILE Pro procedure.
• Clinics report very high precision: e.g., one Korean clinic claims for SMILE Pro: 93% of patients achieved 20/20 the next day; 96% had residual astigmatism ≤0.5D.
• Large volume: For example, BGN Eye Clinic claims 110,000+ SMILE surgeries and offers SMILE Pro.
• Good support for international patients: Many clinics in Seoul offer English-speaking coordinators, international patient services.

Travel & “Hidden Costs” to Consider

When assessing whether it’s worth flying to Korea for SMILE Pro, you should factor not just the procedure cost but travel-related and logistical items:

• Flight cost, accommodation, meals, transport in Korea.
• Time off work, recovery time, follow-up visits.
• Whether the clinic provides full package including pre-ops, post-ops, follow-up, or if you’ll incur extra fees.
• After you return home: If any complication or enhancement needed, how easily will that be managed?
• Stay-requirement in Korea: Even though recovery is fast with SMILE Pro, you may still need to stay in Seoul 1-2 nights at least to ensure immediate follow-up.
• Visa/travel insurance issues, currency fluctuations.

Cost vs Quality — Is It Worth It?

Pros:

• Korea offers high quality technology and large experience volume at much lower cost (especially compared to US pricing).
• SMILE Pro gives advantages of faster laser, less tissue trauma, potentially quicker recovery — good for travelers.
• For international patients it can be a strong value if you find a reputable clinic and plan properly.

Cons / Things to watch:

• Even with lower surgery cost, travel and recovery logistics add cost. If you’re flying from far away, those add up.
• The “premium” of SMILE Pro vs standard SMILE or LASIK: you’ll pay more. You must ask: Is the added cost worth the incremental benefit for you personally?
• Suitability: Just because you fly there doesn’t guarantee you’re a good candidate — cornea thickness, dry eye, astigmatism, etc still matter.
• If anything goes wrong after you return home, managing follow-up or enhancement abroad may be harder.
• Always check what’s included: some packages may exclude certain visits or enhancements.

My verdict:
If you are already willing to travel (or combine with a Korea trip), and you value the latest tech + excellent recovery + cost savings relative to your home country, then yes, flying to Korea for SMILE Pro can be worth it. But it only makes sense if you factor the full cost/effort and choose a top-tier clinic. If travel cost is high and local options are strong, you might get similar outcomes locally without the travel risk.

Checklist: Before You Fly to Korea for SMILE Pro ✅

• Choose a clinic with strong track record in SMILE Pro (ask how many SMILE Pro cases, what outcomes, complication rate).
• Ensure the technology is the latest (e.g., VisuMax 800, automatic centration, OcuLign etc).
• Confirm what’s included: pre-op scans, surgery, medications, follow-ups, English translation.
• Ask about stay duration post-surgery, follow-up schedule while in Korea and after return.
• Calculate full cost: surgery + flights + hotel + transport + any days off + post-op meds + contingency.
• Assess your candidacy thoroughly: corneal thickness, dry eyes, astigmatism, myopia level.
• Check after-care in your home country: how will your local eye-doctor handle you if you travel home shortly after surgery?
• Have realistic expectations: even SMILE Pro is not “perfect” for everyone; age-related changes still occur.