LASIK & SMILE Age Requirements in Korea

LASIK & SMILE Age Requirements in Korea

If you’re considering laser vision correction in Korea—specifically LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) or SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) — one of the first things to check is the age eligibility.
Here’s a clear breakdown of what Korean clinics typically require, what age means in terms of vision stability, and things to keep in mind.

Minimum Age for Surgery

• Most clinics in Korea state that patients need to be 18 years or older to undergo LASIK. For example, one clinic overview says: "Age requirement – most clinics in Korea recommend LASIK for patients aged 18 and above."
• For SMILE, Korean information also shows a similar minimum: “Are aged 18 and older, with stable vision for at least a year.”
• Some clinics may encourage waiting until 20 or 21 years old if the patient’s prescription is still changing or eyes are not fully mature.

Why Age Matters

• The main reason for the minimum age is vision stability: You want your prescription (glasses/contact lens strength) to have stopped changing significantly before doing corrective surgery.
• The eye structure (cornea, lens, eyeball) continues to grow or change through the late teens, so younger patients are at a higher risk of needing further correction later.
• Age also influences other factors such as dry eye risk, corneal healing, and long-term vision changes (e.g., presbyopia starting in 40s).

Is There an Upper Age Limit?

• There is no strict upper age “cut-off” for LASIK or SMILE in Korea as long as the eyes are healthy, the corneas are suitable, and other eye conditions (like cataract or glaucoma) are managed.
• However, for older patients (40s and up), additional considerations include presbyopia (the need for reading vision correction), early cataracts, and general lens/clouding changes. Some clinics might suggest alternative procedures if age-related changes affect eligibility.

Key Requirements Alongside Age

To qualify for LASIK or SMILE in Korea, aside from being 18+, you also generally need:

• A stable vision prescription for at least 1 year (no significant change in glasses strength).
• Healthy eyes without active disease (no uncontrolled glaucoma, no severe dry eye, no corneal ectasia risk).
• Sufficient corneal thickness and favorable shape, particularly important for LASIK. If corneas are thin or irregular, SMILE or other options might be discussed.

Practical Advice for Foreigners in Korea

• When booking in Korea, ask the clinic explicitly: “What is your minimum age requirement for SMILE/LASIK?”
• Bring your glasses/contact lens prescription history (at least 1 year) to show stability.
• If you’re under 21, ask if they recommend waiting or monitoring your prescription further.
• If you’re over 40, ask how presbyopia or early lens changes affect your suitability.
• Ensure the clinic offers the full diagnostic assessment (corneal map, tomography, dryness test) to evaluate your candidacy beyond just age.