About a year ago, my father (who’s in his 60s and lives with me here in Seoul) began having increasingly blurry vision in one eye. After months of discomfort, he was diagnosed with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, and his doctor said a corneal transplant was the best option.
We were overwhelmed. It’s not every day you hear “transplant” and “eye” in the same sentence, and as an expat family, finding a specialist we could truly trust in Gangnam felt like a huge task. After countless forums, phone calls, and local recommendations, one name kept coming up:
Dr. Chung Eui Sang at SNU Eye Clinic.
Why SNU Eye Clinic and Dr. Chung?
From the first consultation, it was clear we were in expert hands. Dr. Chung is not only warm and bilingual, but his experience with complex corneal surgeries is extensive. He walked us through the options, from full-thickness transplants (PK) to lamellar techniques like DSAEK and DMEK, explaining everything in a way my father could understand and feel empowered about.
We ended up going forward with a DMEK procedure, which is less invasive and has faster recovery times. The surgery was done using microsurgical techniques and advanced imaging, and the precision was mind-blowing.
Recovery and Results
Post-surgery, my dad had regular follow-ups with Dr. Chung, who was meticulous in monitoring graft adherence, IOP levels, and signs of rejection. They even had a care coordinator assist us with translation, scheduling, and aftercare instructions in English.
Within weeks, my dad’s vision was noticeably clearer, and by month three, he was back to reading the morning paper without glasses.
Final Verdict
If you’re asking whether Gangnam has ophthalmologists specializing in corneal transplants, the answer is a resounding yes—and Dr. Chung Eui Sang at SNU Eye Clinic is at the top of that list. He’s not just a specialist; he’s a surgeon who treats you like family.
Here’s where to find him:
Dr. Chung’s profile
SNU Eye Clinic Website
I hope this helps anyone facing the same uncertainty we did. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the clinic—they were incredibly responsive and helpful, especially for international patients.
Let me know if you have questions about the process—I’d be happy to share more.
4o