In the history of vision correction surgery in South Korea, Dr. Jong-Ho Lee is far more than a distinguished ophthalmologist – he is widely recognised as a trailblazer who helped define the field itself.

From LASIK and LASEK to SMILE, ICL lens implantation, and presbyopia correction, many of the advanced procedures now commonly practised across the country were introduced and firmly established in clinical settings through Dr. Lee’s pioneering efforts.  At the heart of it all has stood Dr. Jong-Ho Lee.

In 1997, Dr Lee founded BGSS Eye Clinic, becoming the first in Korea to introduce LASEK surgery following academic collaboration with Dr. Massimo Camellin, the Italian ophthalmologist who developed the procedure. At a time when the concept of vision correction surgery was still unfamiliar in Korea, Dr. Lee recognised the promise of this cutting-edge technique and brought it to Korean patients – a groundbreaking shift in a healthcare landscape once reliant solely on spectacles.

In 2000, he joined forces with Dr. Ronald Schachar, originator of presbyopia surgery, to lay the foundations for presbyopia correction in Korea. From C-Near and AMT to Kamra Inlay, Raindrop, Presbyia, and most recently, VIVA ICL, a wide range of presbyopia correction techniques were swiftly introduced and refined in Korea under the leadership of Dr. Jong-Ho Lee – who has consistently remained at the forefront of this evolving field.

In 2002, Dr. Lee introduced ICL lens implantation to Korea – a new paradigm that was presented in the field of refractive surgery. Through this surgical procedure, it was a major leap forward that allowed those unsuitable for LASIK or LASEK to receive safe and effective vision correction.

As an official ICL instructor, he has played a key role in educating ophthalmologists both in Korea and internationally.

Thanks to his ongoing clinical leadership and commitment to excellence, BGSS Eye Clinic was selected for eight consecutive years as “ICL World Best”, an accolade recognising the clinic with the highest global volume of ICL surgeries.

Dr. Lee was also instrumental in the development of today’s V-Toric ICL for astigmatism correction and in the introduction of the VIVA ICL for presbyopia treatment in Korea.

In the 2010s, Dr. Lee once again advanced Korea’s standards of care by introducing SMILE surgery – a next-generation technique that corrects vision through an incision of less than 2mm, offering impressive levels of safety and patient comfort. Working closely with ZEISS, Dr. Lee led the way with achieving the first domestic introduction of Pseudo SMILE to Korea. Currently, BGSS Eye Clinic is home to the country’s most number of clinical experiences in SMILE procedures.

In 2023, he became the first to introduce ZEISS SMILE Pro to Korea – the most advanced iteration of the SMILE procedure to date. But Dr. Lee’s contribution extends beyond the adoption of new technologies; through continuous clinical research and innovation, he is actively shaping the future standards of the field. Dr. Lee’s achievements across ICL, SMILE and presbyopia correction have drawn international recognition. He has been an invited speaker and chair at renowned global conferences such as APACRS, the ZEISS Asia-Pacific Refractive Summit, STAAR Surgical ICL Symposium, the Korea SMILE Forum, and the Korea–Japan ICL Forum.

His accolades include “Best Skilled SMILE Surgeon”, “SMILE Master Doctor”, and “Outstanding Global Contribution to EVO ICL”, reflecting both his exceptional surgical expertise and his academic contributions. Through numerous national and international awards and certifications, he has solidified his position as a leader in both research and academic excellence.

Today, vision correction in Korea is more than the adoption of high-end techniques – it represents a combination of rigorous clinical research and a deeply patient-focused philosophy. At the centre of this is Dr. Jong-Ho Lee –who is leading the future of vision correction, which continues to evolve at this very moment. Through BGSS Eye Clinic, he has created a world class medical environment that patients worldwide trust, and going beyond being a renowned surgeon, he has firmly established himself and is recognized as a ‘master’ in the field of vision correction in Korea.