Varicose Vein FAQ · Specialists
What Kind of Doctor Treats Varicose Veins?
Quick answer: Varicose veins are treated by vein specialists, also called phlebologists. Most are vascular surgeons or thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons who use duplex ultrasound to find leaking veins and treat them with laser or sclerotherapy. At LEDAS in Busan, every case is examined and treated by Dr. Kim Byoung Joon, a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon focused on veins for over 22 years.
Key facts at a glance
- Phlebology: the medical field that studies and treats vein disease; its specialists are called phlebologists or vein specialists.
- Typical background: vascular surgery or thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, both trained in blood-vessel anatomy and surgery.
- Essential skill: reading duplex ultrasound to map reflux (backward blood flow) before treatment.
- At LEDAS: Dr. Kim Byoung Joon, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon and founding member of the Korean Society for Phlebology.
- Experience: varicose vein practice since 2001 and more than 20,000 varicose vein procedures.
- Your first doctor: a family doctor can spot varicose veins, but diagnosis and treatment planning need a vein specialist with ultrasound.
Who treats varicose veins?
Varicose veins belong to a branch of medicine called phlebology , from the Greek word for vein. A phlebologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats vein problems, from small spider veins to large bulging varicose veins and the chronic venous insufficiency behind them.
Phlebology is a focus rather than a single training route. In most countries, the doctors who treat varicose veins come from one of these backgrounds:
- Vascular surgeons , who treat arteries and veins throughout the body.
- Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons , who are trained in the heart, lungs and blood vessels. In Korea, many vein clinics are led by these surgeons.
- Interventional radiologists , who use imaging to guide catheter-based procedures.
- Dermatologists , who may treat small cosmetic spider veins on the skin surface.
What matters most is not the job title but whether the doctor works with veins every day, uses duplex ultrasound personally, and can offer more than one treatment method.
Why the specialty matters
Varicose veins are a circulation disease , not just a skin problem. The bulging vein you see is usually the result of a leaking valve deeper in the leg, often in the great or small saphenous vein. If only the visible vein is treated, the hidden leak keeps feeding pressure into the leg and the problem tends to return.
A vein specialist is trained to find that source. This is why the first step at a vein clinic is almost always a duplex ultrasound exam rather than a quick look at the skin.
What a cardiovascular surgeon brings
Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery covers the heart, lungs, esophagus and blood vessels. Surgeons in this field learn vessel anatomy, blood flow and clotting in depth. That background is useful when a vein patient also has heart disease, takes blood thinners, or has signs of deep vein thrombosis .
Who treats varicose veins at LEDAS?
LEDAS is a specialist varicose vein clinic in Busan. All examinations and procedures are led by Dr. Kim Byoung Joon :
- Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, trained entirely at Pusan National University (MD, internship and residency in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, M.S., Ph.D. candidate).
- Founding member of the Korean Society for Phlebology.
- Lifetime member of the Korean Society for Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery and director of its Busan·Ulsan·Gyeongnam branch.
- Former adjunct professor at Pusan National University medical school.
- Treating varicose veins since 2001, with more than 20,000 varicose vein procedures performed.
He developed the LEDAS treatment system , which combines endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), duplex-guided sclerotherapy and sclerotherapy under local anesthesia. He is supported by a team of registered nurses and international coordinators.
When should you see a vein specialist?
You do not need to wait until veins bulge. Consider seeing a vein doctor if you notice:
- Visible twisted or bulging veins, or clusters of spider veins.
- Legs that feel heavy, achy or tired by evening.
- Ankle swelling, night cramps or itching around the ankles.
- Darkening or hardening of the skin on the lower leg.
- Veins that came back after earlier treatment.
Our guide to when to see a vein doctor explains these signs in more detail.
When to go to emergency care instead
Sudden swelling and pain in one leg, especially with warmth or redness, can mean a deep vein clot. Sudden breathlessness or chest pain can mean a clot has reached the lungs. These need emergency services immediately, not a clinic appointment.
How do you check a vein doctor's qualifications?
- Specialty: ask which board specialty the doctor holds and how much of their work is vein care.
- Society membership: look for membership in a phlebology or vascular society.
- Who does the ultrasound: ask whether the treating doctor reviews the scan personally.
- Range of treatments: a clinic offering both laser and sclerotherapy can match the method to your veins.
- Follow-up: ask what happens after treatment and how recurrence is checked.
- Accreditation: independent standards such as JCI accreditation show how a clinic manages safety.
For a fuller checklist, read how to choose a vein clinic in Korea .
Which doctor does what for leg veins?
| Doctor | Typical role in vein care | When to see them |
|---|---|---|
| Family doctor / GP | First check, general health, referral | Early symptoms, general advice |
| Vascular surgeon | Ultrasound diagnosis, laser, sclerotherapy, surgery | Visible varicose veins, reflux, complications |
| Thoracic & cardiovascular surgeon | Vessel surgery; in Korea often leads vein clinics | Varicose veins, especially with heart or clotting issues |
| Interventional radiologist | Image-guided catheter procedures | Selected vein procedures in hospitals |
| Dermatologist | Surface treatment of tiny skin veins | Cosmetic spider veins with no reflux |
| Emergency services | Urgent assessment of clots | Sudden one-leg swelling, chest pain, breathlessness |
Vein doctors – frequently asked questions
What is a vein specialist called?
A vein specialist is usually called a phlebologist. Phlebology is the medical field focused on vein disease. Most phlebologists are surgeons, most often vascular surgeons or thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons, who have chosen to concentrate on veins and who use duplex ultrasound every day to diagnose and plan treatment.
Should I see a dermatologist or a vascular surgeon for varicose veins?
For bulging varicose veins, see a vein surgeon. They come from leaking valves deeper in the leg, which need ultrasound mapping and treatments such as laser or foam sclerotherapy. A dermatologist may help with tiny surface spider veins, but even these can hide reflux, so an ultrasound check first is sensible. See are spider veins cosmetic or medical.
Do I need a referral to see a vein doctor in Korea?
No referral is needed to book at a private specialist clinic such as LEDAS. You can contact the clinic directly. Bring any previous scans, reports and a list of your medicines. Overseas patients can start with an online consultation and share records before travelling to Busan.
Is a thoracic surgeon qualified to treat varicose veins?
Yes. Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery training covers the heart, lungs and blood vessels, including vein anatomy and clotting. In Korea many vein specialists come from this specialty. What matters is that the surgeon concentrates on veins, as Dr. Kim Byoung Joon has done since 2001.
Who performs the ultrasound at LEDAS?
Ultrasound diagnosis at LEDAS is led by Dr. Kim Byoung Joon using Philips EPIQ Elite equipment. The scan takes about 15–20 minutes and is explained in real time, so you can see your own veins on the monitor. Read more about the duplex ultrasound exam.
About this page
Clinical information:
LEDAS Varicose Vein Clinic, led by
Dr. Kim Byoung Joon , thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, founding member of the Korean Society for Phlebology.
Medical reviewer:
Dr. Kim Byoung Joon ·
Review status:
Pending ·
Last updated:
October 2026
This page is general information and not a diagnosis. Treatment is decided only after an in-person examination. Read our
editorial policy .
Related: When to see a vein doctor · How to choose a vein clinic · Specialist clinic vs hospital · Our medical team · Second opinion
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