This summer, Hanita Korea led an ambitious nationwide lecture and clinical exchange tour with Prof. Dr. med. Gerd U. Auffarth, introducing the Intensity® Pentafocal IOL to ophthalmologists across South Korea. Over the course of 1,200 kilometers, the team visited leading eye hospitals in Gimpo, Jeonju, Daegu, Changwon, Busan, and Seoul, and organized three regional symposia. In total, more than 300 ophthalmologists joined the events, making this one of the most far-reaching initiatives Hanita has ever held in Korea.
Clinical Exchange and Technology Discussions
The tour was spearheaded by Insang Shim, Hanita Korea’s Country Manager, who emphasized its significance for both surgeons and the company:
“Although Intensity® is still a relatively new and unfamiliar product in Korea, many participants agreed that it represents a different level of technology and offers better outcomes,” Shim said.
This sentiment was echoed throughout the clinics and symposia, where presentations on Intensity®’s optical design and clinical results sparked lively Q&A sessions that often extended well beyond schedule.
Across the visits, doctors consistently highlighted their experience with Intensity®:
“The most common feedback was that patients had very few complaints, tolerance was high, and that other surgeons who had already used Intensity® spoke positively about it,” Shim noted.
Warm Welcome Across South Korea
Every clinic welcomed the delegation warmly, arranging tours, presentations, and open discussions on Intensity®’s role in modern cataract and refractive surgery. Hanita Korea and Prof. Auffarth covered 1,200 kilometers by car, with team member Hang Jung kindly handling the driving throughout the tour.
Clinic visits included:
- · Onnuri Eye Hospital, Jeonju – Dr. Young-taek Chung
- · Daegu Yonsei Eye Clinic – Dr. Jung-won Park
- · i-Back Eye Center – Dr. Jun-hun Lee
- · Fatima Eye Clinic – Dr. Ji-won Jeong
- · CN Eye Clinic – Dr. Sam-young Yun
- · SNU Eye Clinic – Dr. Eui-sang Chung
- · Heaan Seoul Eye Clinic – Dr. Myoung-joon Kim, Dr. Tae-young Chung
- · Healing Eye Clinic – Dr. Sun-young Kim, Dr. Yong-eun Lee, Dr. Seong-woong Lim
- · Bright Eye Clinic – Dr. Hyun-chul Cheon
Symposium sessions featured:
· Daegu Symposium chaired by Prof. Hong Kyun Kim, with presentations by Prof. Auffarth, Dr. Jun-hun Lee, and Prof. Jonghwa Jun
· Busan Symposium, with presentations by Prof. Auffarth, Dr. Ji-won Jeong, and Dr. Jun-hun Lee
· Seoul Symposium, chaired by Prof. Jong Suk Song, with presentations by Prof. Auffarth and Prof. Seung Pil Bang
Looking Ahead
For Hanita, the impact of this journey goes beyond the immediate exchanges.
“Prof. Auffarth himself noted that significantly more doctors now know about Hanita and Intensity®, and many are already using it. While Hanita and Intensity® are still relatively less well known in Korea and the entry barriers remain high, this tour introduced the product to over 300 ophthalmologists, which I believe will serve as a solid foundation for future growth of our business in Korea,” Shim concluded.
Hanita Korea extends its gratitude to all participating clinics, surgeons, and partners, and to Prof. Auffarth and his wife for their dedication throughout the demanding schedule.
