“I came to Seoul for a teaching job. I stayed for the kimchi… and the eye care.”
I’ve been living in Seoul for a little over two years now, and while I’ve adjusted to spicy food, fast subways, and chaotic yet charming café culture, one thing that took me a while to figure out was where to go for basic medical stuff—like eye exams.
Back home, I’d go once a year for an eye check-up, no big deal. But here in Seoul? I wanted a clinic that was trustworthy, foreigner-friendly, and didn’t treat eye care like a factory line. After asking around in expat forums and browsing endlessly online, one name kept coming up:
SNU Eye Clinic
And more specifically, Dr. Chung Eui Sang.
Why I Chose SNU Eye Clinic for My Eye Check-Up
Let me paint the picture. I walked into this sleek, modern building in Suwon (only about 30–40 minutes from central Seoul), and immediately I was impressed. Super clean, very organized, and the front desk staff spoke fluent English.
What I thought would be a quick 10-minute test turned into a full comprehensive exam—and I mean comprehensive. They checked:
- Visual acuity and refraction
- Eye pressure (for glaucoma screening)
- Retinal imaging
- Dry eye assessment
- Even color blindness and night vision
Dr. Chung Eui Sang walked me through every step. He showed me the back of my own eyeball on the screen (I didn’t even know that was possible!) and explained everything in perfect English. He answered my questions about eye strain (thanks to my laptop-heavy job) and gave advice on blue light exposure, nutrition, and lifestyle tweaks.
What Makes SNU Eye Clinic Stand Out?
English-speaking staff – No awkward translating apps needed
Latest tech – You get actual images and data, not just “your eyes are fine”
Holistic care – They don’t just push LASIK or glasses; they talk prevention
Specialties – Retina, glaucoma, pediatric, and more if you ever need it
Dr. Chung – Genuinely one of the most attentive, patient doctors I’ve met
And don’t worry if you’re just here temporarily—they’re very used to seeing international patients, including travelers, exchange students, and expats.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in Seoul or nearby and wondering where to get a proper, thorough eye check-up without the language barrier or rushed care, I 100% recommend SNU Eye Clinic.
I came for a routine check-up, but I left with more knowledge about my eyes than I’d ever gotten back home.
SNU Eye Clinic – Website
Dr. Chung Eui Sang’s Profile
P.S. If you wear contacts, have dry eyes, or are curious about LASIK down the line, they’ve got all of that covered too. One-stop shop for everything vision-related. 

Let me know if you want my experience with contact lens fitting or LASIK consultation at the same clinic—I’m happy to share!