Yesâand I can personally vouch for one of the best places to go: SNU Eye Clinic in Seoul.
Let me share how I ended up there, because it wasnât a path I ever expected to be on.
About a year ago, my younger brotherâheâs in his early 20sâstarted complaining about night blindness and trouble adjusting to low light. We thought it was just screen fatigue or maybe a vitamin deficiency. But after a basic eye exam in our home country, the doctor mentioned something that made our stomachs drop: âYou should get tested for inherited retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa.â
That opened a whole new world of questions: Was it genetic? Would it get worse? Could other family membersâlike meâbe at risk?
We began searching for specialized clinics, and South Korea came up repeatedly as a leader in advanced eye care and medical technology. After several recommendations, we decided on SNU Eye Clinic (link here), and booked a consultation with Dr. Chung Eui Sang (his profile), a retinal specialist known for his work with degenerative and inherited eye diseases.
The Consultation: More Than Just an Eye Exam
From the moment we stepped into SNU Eye Clinic, we felt like we were in the right place. The clinic was modern, organized, and very welcoming to international patients (they had English-speaking staff who walked us through every step).
Dr. Chung spent over an hour with us, reviewing my brotherâs symptoms, family history, and visual scan results. But what impressed us most was how seamlessly he integrated genetic testing into the diagnosis process.
âIn many retinal diseases, especially ones like retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, or cone-rod dystrophy, identifying the gene mutation is essential,â he told us. âIt can help with future treatment options, clinical trial eligibility, and even family planning.â
The Genetic Testing Process
The testing itself was simple. A blood sample was taken and sent to a partner genetic lab that specializes in ophthalmic diseases. Dr. Chung made sure we understood what the test couldâand couldnâtâtell us. He emphasized that while not every gene mutation is known or fully understood, the information could still be incredibly useful in guiding care and monitoring.
About six weeks later, we got the results: my brother had a known mutation linked to early-onset RP. While thereâs no cure yet, the diagnosis has allowed us to enroll him in a monitoring program, explore gene therapy trials, and even check our own genetic risk as siblings.
Why SNU Eye Clinic & Dr. Chung?
- They offer cutting-edge diagnostic tools, including genetic testing for inherited retinal diseases.
- Dr. Chung Eui Sang is not only deeply knowledgeable, but also incredibly patient and compassionate. He explained everything in a way we could actually understand.
- The clinic is well-equipped for international patients, with a system that makes the process smoothâeven if youâre flying in from overseas.
Final Thoughts?
If you suspect a hereditary retinal condition or want to understand your familyâs risk, genetic testing is 100% worth itâand SNU Eye Clinic in Seoul is one of the few places Iâd trust for something so sensitive and life-changing. Dr. Chung truly helped our family feel informed and empowered.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions about the processâit can be overwhelming, but youâre not alone.