How Consultations Work for Eye Surgery in Korea
How Consultations Work for Eye Surgery in Korea
Consultations for eye surgery in Korea are structured, analytical, and highly detail-oriented. Unlike quick opinion-based consultations in some countries, Korean eye surgery consultations are designed to diagnose anatomy first, then design surgery, with a strong focus on long-term results and avoiding revision.
Understanding how these consultations work will help you prepare better—and avoid misunderstandings.
Step 1: Medical & Aesthetic Intake
Most Korean clinics begin with a structured intake process that includes:
- Medical history
- Previous eye or facial surgeries
- Current eye symptoms (fatigue, dryness, vision issues)
- Main concerns (small eyes, asymmetry, tired look, drooping, etc.)
- Desired level of change (subtle vs noticeable)
This step helps distinguish whether your concern is functional, cosmetic, or both.
Step 2: Detailed Eyelid & Eye Analysis
This is where Korean consultations differ the most.
Surgeons evaluate:
- Eyelid thickness and fat volume
- Presence and strength of the levator muscle (ptosis check)
- Eyelid opening height (even 1–2 mm matters)
- Crease stability potential
- Symmetry between both eyes
- Brow position and compensation
- Eye shape at rest and in motion
Many clinics examine your eyes while:
- Sitting upright
- Relaxing your forehead
- Opening and closing your eyes naturally
This prevents overcorrection.
Step 3: Full Face Proportion Assessment
Eye surgery in Korea is never planned in isolation.
Surgeons assess:
- Face length vs width
- Cheekbone prominence
- Jawline strength
- Forehead height
- Distance between eyes
This determines:
- Appropriate crease height
- Whether eye enlargement is suitable
- How much eye opening is natural for your face
This step is key to avoiding “overdone” eyes.
Step 4: Diagnosis Before Procedure Recommendation
Korean surgeons usually diagnose the problem first, then recommend procedures.
Examples:
- “Your eyes look small mainly due to mild ptosis, not lack of a crease.”
- “Fat heaviness is hiding the fold—suture method won’t last.”
- “Inner corner opening would help more than a higher crease.”
This is why patients are often recommended different procedures than they initially requested.
Step 5: Crease Height & Design Simulation
Crease design is usually tested during consultation.
Surgeons may:
- Simulate crease height with tools or fingers
- Ask you to open and close your eyes
- Adjust height in millimeter increments
- Show how the crease looks in motion
This helps you understand:
- Why lower creases are often recommended
- How higher creases may look stiff or artificial
- How results will age over time
Step 6: Discussion of Surgical Methods
Once the plan is clear, surgeons explain:
- Incisional vs non-incisional method
- Whether fat removal or repositioning is needed
- Whether ptosis correction is necessary
- Whether eye corner surgery is appropriate
Good consultations explain why some methods are not recommended, not just what will be done.
Step 7: Recovery, Timeline & Risks
Korean consultations are usually very direct about:
- Expected swelling timeline
- When stitches are removed
- When results stabilize
- Possible asymmetry during healing
- Revision policy (if applicable)
They often emphasize patience and realistic expectations.
Step 8: Questions & Decision Time
In Korea, you are rarely pressured to decide immediately.
You are encouraged to:
- Ask detailed questions
- Compare recommendations
- Take time to think
Good clinics are comfortable if you say:
“I need time to consider.”
What Makes Korean Eye Surgery Consultations Different
Korean consultations stand out because they:
- Prioritize anatomy over trends
- Focus on long-term outcomes
- Avoid aggressive correction
- Actively discourage unsuitable procedures
- Emphasize natural movement, not just photos
This conservative planning is why Korea has strong outcomes in revision and complex eye surgery.
Common Misunderstandings for Foreign Patients
- Thinking the consultation is just to confirm what you want
- Expecting surgeons to agree with requested crease height
- Assuming “bigger eyes” always means better
- Confusing double eyelid surgery with ptosis correction
A Korean consultation is closer to a medical diagnosis session than a beauty consultation.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Consultation
- Come without makeup if possible
- Relax your forehead during examination
- Be honest about previous surgeries
- Focus on long-term goals, not just photos
- Ask why something is or isn’t recommended
Final Thoughts
Eye surgery consultations in Korea are thorough because the eyes are unforgiving—small mistakes lead to visible problems. By diagnosing eyelid mechanics, facial balance, and aging patterns before recommending surgery, Korean surgeons aim to deliver results that look natural, comfortable, and stable for years.
If a consultation feels conservative or cautious, that’s usually a good sign—it means the surgeon is planning beyond the operating room.
