Korean Phrases for the Eye Doctor (Ophthalmology)
Essential Korean phrases for visiting an eye clinic in Korea — eye pain, vision problems, contact lenses, glasses prescriptions, and common eye conditions.
눈이 아파요.
nun-i a-pa-yo
My eye hurts.
눈이 가려워요.
nun-i ga-ryeo-wo-yo
My eye is itchy.
눈이 빨개요.
nun-i ppal-gae-yo
My eye is red.
눈물이 많이 나요.
nun-mul-i man-i na-yo
My eyes are watering a lot.
눈이 건조해요.
nun-i geon-jo-hae-yo
My eyes feel dry.
시력이 나빠진 것 같아요.
si-ryeok-i na-bba-jin geot ga-ta-yo
I think my eyesight has gotten worse.
흐릿하게 보여요.
heu-rit-ha-ge bo-yeo-yo
Things look blurry.
빛이 너무 눈부셔요.
bit-i neo-mu nun-bu-syeo-yo
Light is too bright / I'm sensitive to light.
눈앞에 뭔가 떠다녀요.
nun-ap-e mwon-ga tteo-da-nyeo-yo
I see something floating in my vision. (floaters)
갑자기 눈이 안 보여요.
gap-ja-gi nun-i an bo-yeo-yo
I suddenly can't see.
눈에 이물감이 있어요.
nun-e i-mul-gam-i i-sseo-yo
I feel something in my eye.
눈에 뭔가 들어갔어요.
nun-e mwon-ga deu-reo-ga-sseo-yo
Something got into my eye.
콘택트렌즈를 끼고 있어요.
kon-taek-teu-ren-jeu-reul kki-go i-sseo-yo
I wear contact lenses.
안경을 쓰고 있어요.
an-gyeong-eul sseu-go i-sseo-yo
I wear glasses.
시력 검사를 받고 싶어요.
si-ryeok geom-sa-reul bat-go si-peo-yo
I'd like to have an eye exam.
안압이 높다고 들었어요.
an-ab-i nop-da-go deu-reo-sseo-yo
I was told my eye pressure is high.
눈이 충혈됐어요.
nun-i chung-hyeol-dwae-sseo-yo
My eye is bloodshot.
눈꺼풀이 떨려요.
nun-kkeo-pul-i tteol-ryeo-yo
My eyelid is twitching.
눈 주변이 부었어요.
nun ju-byeon-i bu-eo-sseo-yo
The area around my eye is swollen.
야간에 운전이 어려워요.
ya-gan-e un-jeon-i eo-ryeo-wo-yo
I have difficulty driving at night.
Visiting an eye clinic in Korea
Eye clinics (안과, an-gwa) in Korea are widely available and generally offer high-quality care. Many clinics have modern equipment for detailed examinations. If you're an expat or tourist, look for clinics near international hospitals or in areas with large expat communities.
Common eye symptoms
Knowing the right words for your symptoms helps the doctor understand your condition quickly. The most commonly reported issues are dry eyes (건조함), redness (충혈), blurred vision (흐린 시야), and eye pain (눈 통증).
Dry eye syndrome
Dry eyes are extremely common, especially for people who spend long hours looking at screens. Korean doctors often prescribe artificial tear eye drops (인공눈물). You can also buy these over-the-counter at pharmacies.
Contact lens wearers
If you wear contact lenses, always tell the doctor before the examination. You may be asked to remove them before certain tests. Bring your lens case if possible.
Eye floaters and flashes
If you suddenly notice floaters (눈앞에 뭔가 떠다니는 것) or flashes of light, see a doctor immediately. These can be signs of a retinal detachment, which is a serious condition requiring urgent treatment.
Eye pressure (glaucoma screening)
High eye pressure (안압) is a risk factor for glaucoma. Eye clinics in Korea routinely measure eye pressure during checkups. If you have a family history of glaucoma, mention it to the doctor.
Getting a glasses or contact lens prescription
After your eye exam, the doctor will provide a prescription (처방전) for glasses or contact lenses. You can take this to any optical shop (안경원) in Korea to get glasses made, usually within an hour.
Tip
안과 (an-gwa) means ophthalmology/eye clinic. When describing eye problems, try to be specific — is it blurry, painful, itchy, or red? Korean doctors appreciate detailed descriptions.
Useful links
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