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Side-by-side registry comparison
A factual, neutral comparison of the registry data on file for smile (small incision lenticule extraction) as a medical-tourism option in South Korea and Turkey. The registry does not recommend either country or either market. Choice depends on procedure type, medical history, budget, aftercare access, and the specific clinic.
Patients who have already decided they want smile (small incision lenticule extraction) and are shortlisting destinations. The page surfaces facts; it does not say which destination is "better". If you have not yet decided on the procedure itself, start at the smile (small incision lenticule extraction) page.
| Field | South Korea | Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Primary medical regulator | Korean Medical Association | Turkish Ministry of Health |
| JCI-accredited facilities Accreditation count, not a quality ranking. | 28 | 34 |
| SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) clinics in the registry Clinics offering this procedure that are documented in the registry. Not a market-size estimate. | 1 | 1 |
| Currency on quotes | South Korean Won (KRW) | Turkish Lira (TRY) |
| Working language(s) | Korean (English common at international-patient desks) | Turkish (English common at international clinics) |
| Patient rights pathway | k-medi.or.kr/eng/main.do | hasta.saglik.gov.tr |
| Cost-saving framing (vs UK/US private) Saving ranges from country prose; the registry is migrating these to sourced PriceRecords. | 30–60% (per country prose) | 60–80% (per country prose) |
No winner declared
The registry does not name a "better" destination. The best fit depends on procedure type, medical history, budget, aftercare access, and the specific clinic chosen. The comparison on this page surfaces what the registry has on file — it does not replace direct verification with the clinic and the regulator.