Ophthalmology in Iksan

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Medically trained doctors who care for patients who have eye and vision conditions are called ophthalmologists and are the only practitioners diagnosed and trained to treat all eye and vision problems. Their practice is very diverse, dealing with a wide range of issues and clinical conditions. Some of the most common conditions that they treat and manage include:

• Minor and major eye injuries
• Infectious eye disease
• Dry eyes
• Proptosis (bulged eyes)
• Glaucoma 
• Cataracts 
• Corneal pathology 
• Retinal problems, such as bleeding and detachment or tears of the retina
• Squints 
• Eye-related neurological problems
• Excessive tearing
• Intraocular inflammation
• Chronic eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

An ophthalmologist can offer a wide range of medical services, including surgical eye procedures. Some of the most common procedures that ophthalmologists perform are as follows:

• Eye examinations.
• Specialized tests, such as ultrasonography of the eyes and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Refractive surgery to correct vision, such as LASIK.
• Cataract surgery.
• Glaucoma surgery.
• Cancer treatment.
• Reconstructive surgery to repair birth abnormalities or trauma, such as crossed eyes.
• Neoplasm removal.
• Corneal transplants.
• Repairing torn or detached retinas.
• Strabismus surgery.
• Oculoplastic surgery (plastic surgery around the eye).
• Prescribing and fitting glasses and contact lenses.

How Long Should I Stay in Iksan?

Your length of stay depends on the type of treatment you undergo. In general, you may need to stay in Iksan for at least a week or to let your eyes recover and to attend follow-up checkups, where your ophthalmologist checks your condition and make sure that your eyes are healing properly. If everything is fine, they will allow you to leave for home. However, for some surgery, such as retinal detachment surgery, you should avoid flying until your eyes have fully healed. Therefore, it is best that you wait 3 to 4 weeks, sometimes even longer, before you travel home.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time depends on the type of surgery you underwent, your age, and overall health. It is generally recommended to rest your eyes for a few days. With LASIK, you may be able to return to work after a day. After a corneal transplant, you should wait for 2 to 3 weeks until you go back to work. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your ophthalmologist will give you instructions to care for your eye after the procedure. It is crucial that you follow all of them to have a quick recovery and obtain optimum results. To keep the result or to prevent complications, you will need to make some lifestyle changes, such as avoid smoking and staying active. You also need to attend regular checkups, typically once a year, with your local eye doctor or your ophthalmologist in Iksan.

What's the Success Rate?

Thanks to the continuous advancement of ophthalmology, eye treatments, and surgeries are now highly successful and safe. For instance, the latest research of LASIK showed that it has a 99% success rate in achieving 20/40 vision or better, whereas the success rate of corneal transplant is as high as 90%. However, it is important to be aware of the risks and side effects of eye treatments and surgeries, such as dry eyes, temporary visual problems, overcorrections, under correction, astigmatism, regression, and, very rarely, vision loss.

Are there Alternatives?

For some eye problems, you may be able to go to an optometrist as an alternative. However, if your conditions need to be treated through surgery, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Ophthalmology in and around Iksan

About Iksan

Iksan is a city in the western part of South Korea. It was formed in 1995 from the merger of the city of Iri with Iksan County. The city is often referred to as “The City of Jewelry” as it is the center of jewelry manufacturing in the country. In addition, it is also known as the market center of agricultural products, as well as a major railway junction in North Jeolla Province. Today, the city is slowly becoming a medical tourism hotspot for foreign patients who want to obtain medical treatments in South Korea. Combining modern medical technology and traditional Korean medicine, hospitals and clinics in the city are frequented by patients from all around the world.  

Popular Parts of Iksan

Iksan was once the capital of the ancient Baekje Kingdom, which is why the city has numerous ancient temples. Tourists are welcome to explore and admire these temples, where they can learn more about the city’s fascinating history. Those who are intrigued by the city’s history can visit the Mireuksaji Museum, which displays and preserves the relics of the ancient temples from the Baekje Kingdom. As the center of jewelry manufacturing in South Korea, the city also has a jewelry museum called the Iksan Jewelry Museum. This museum was built to educate visitors about jewelry and to provide a cultural space related to Baekje relics. Other popular attractions include the Central Park (Chungang Cheuk Gongwon), Seodong Park, and Gemma Sculpture Park. In Central Park, visitors are free to sit on the ground and watch the Music Fountain, which is really beautiful especially at night. 

Transport in Iksan

International medical tourists who want to visit Iksan usually arrive at Incheon International Airport or Cheongju International Airport. From both of these airports, they can ride the bus or the train to reach Iksan. The best ways to get around the city is by bus or the subway, but taxis are available and are reasonably priced.

Visas in Iksan

South Korea allows holders of passports issued by 112 countries, such as all EU countries, the US, Canada, and Russia, to visit and stay in the country for 30, 60, or 180 days. Citizens of other countries not listed in the visa-free entry need to apply and obtain a visa before their travel to Iksan.

Weather in Iksan

Iksan experiences four seasons. The winter, from November to early March, is typically cold and long. The temperatures during this season can plummet as low as -20°C. Spring sets in March and the temperatures begin to warm up. However, rainfall also becomes more frequent during this season. Summer begins in June and ends in August. The weather can be hot, rainy and muggy. September to November is the autumn, which brings nearly perfect weather. 

Additional Info

1. Local Currency:  The official currency is South Korean Won (KRW). 1 USD is approx. 1,185 KRW.
2. Money & Payments:  It’s easy to find ATMs and credit cards are accepted in most establishments. Tipping is not expected, except for porters and tour guides. In some restaurants, tipping may be considered rude.
3. Local Language:  Korean is the official language and Hangul is the formal script. Many people do speak and understand English at a lower level.
4. Local Culture and Religion:  Most people in the city are not religious or follow indigenous religions. Other religions, particularly Buddhism and Christianity, are also practiced.
5. Public Holidays: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and the Birthday of Buddha are some of the more celebrated holidays in Iksan.