I was in your shoes a year ago, weighing my options for eye surgery. After a lot of research, I chose Toric ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery at SNU Eye Clinic in Seoul under Dr. Chung Eui Sang. If you’re considering a similar procedure, here’s what you can expect in terms of recovery and follow-up visits. Hopefully, it’ll help you feel more prepared for your own journey!
My Procedure: Toric ICL
I’d been wearing glasses since I was a kid and had been dealing with astigmatism and poor vision for years. After a thorough consultation, Dr. Chung recommended the Toric ICL surgery. It’s perfect for people with high prescriptions or irregular corneas, like me.
The procedure itself was quick (about 15-20 minutes per eye) and absolutely painless. I was awake, but completely relaxed with some light sedation. I could already see the difference when I woke up from the procedure, though my vision was a bit blurry for the first few hours.
Recovery Timeline
The recovery timeline for Toric ICL surgery was very straightforward:
- Day 1: The morning after surgery, I had a follow-up visit. My vision was blurry but noticeably better than before. Dr. Chung did a quick check to ensure everything was in place.
- Day 2 to Day 3: By the second day, the blur started to clear. I could read things from across the room — something I couldn’t do with my glasses! I was given eye drops to help with dryness and reduce inflammation.
- Week 1: This is when things really started to improve. I could see clearly, though my eyes were still adjusting. No pain, just a bit of dryness or irritation from time to time.
- Week 2: By this point, my vision was nearly perfect, and I could do all my regular activities without restriction. Dr. Chung told me I might still feel a little sensitivity to light, which was normal.
- 1 Month: At the one-month mark, my eyes felt completely normal. I had another follow-up appointment with Dr. Chung to make sure everything was healing well, and I could see without glasses or contacts. It was life-changing!
Follow-Up Visits
SNU Eye Clinic is very thorough with aftercare, which I really appreciated. Here’s the typical follow-up schedule I experienced:
- Day 1 Post-Op: Initial check-up after surgery to assess immediate results.
- Week 1 Post-Op: Follow-up to check on healing and to ensure there’s no infection or issues.
- Month 1 Post-Op: Comprehensive check-up to make sure the lens is properly positioned and your vision is stable.
- 3-6 Months Post-Op: A final follow-up to ensure long-term results and address any remaining concerns.
In total, I had 4 follow-up visits over the course of the first 6 months, which were included in the cost of the procedure. The clinic really takes care of you throughout the entire recovery process.
Why I Recommend SNU Eye Clinic
From start to finish, SNU Eye Clinic was exceptional. The clinic is modern, the staff is professional and friendly, and Dr. Chung Eui Sang truly cares about his patients. His calm demeanor and in-depth explanations made me feel completely at ease.
If you’re considering Toric ICL or any other eye surgery in Seoul, I highly recommend SNU Eye Clinic. They have a personalized approach that ensures you’re not just another patient. They’ll walk you through every step of the procedure and recovery, and the follow-up visits will make sure you’re getting the best possible results.
Here’s their website if you want more info:
https://www.snuseoulglobal.com/
Final Thoughts
The whole process, from consultation to recovery, was much smoother than I had anticipated. If you’re wondering about how long recovery takes and what follow-up visits are like, rest assured that SNU Eye Clinic will take great care of you. Dr. Chung Eui Sang and his team make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way.