Dr Yasar Dag is a specialist ophthalmologist at VM Medical Park Florya Hospital who focus focuses on complex ocular trauma and vitreoretinal surgery.
Op. Dr. Alasgar Asgarli, MD, is an ophthalmologist. He focuses on cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, medical retinal diseases, and pediatric eye care. He performs oculoplastic eyelid surgery and ocular trauma surgery. His skills include intravitreal injections, pterygium excision, and neuro-ophthalmology. He also has experience with advanced intraocular lens fixation, including scleral fixation and the Yamane technique.
Achievements and accreditations: Active member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association (TOD). Presenter at the TOD 59th National Congress. Attended the TOD 58th National Congress. Completed the TOD Fundus Fluorescein Angiography Course (2024). Published “Comparison of the Effects of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Acrylic Intraocular Lenses on Lenticular Astigmatism” (DOI: 10.37844/TJ-CEO.2025.20.37). Holds certification in Botox and dermal fillers.
Professor Osman Sevki Arslan is a highly distinguished ophthalmologist who previously served as the President of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association.
Dr. Ali Riza Cenk Celebi is an ophthalmologist at İstinye University Liv Hospital Topkapı. He completed a glaucoma fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Celebi authored over 50 international articles and 15 books. He ranked 11th out of all medical graduates in Turkey's specialty exam.
Turkey treats central retinal artery occlusion as a neurological emergency. Highly specialised Istanbul clinics use hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ocular hypotension drugs. Rapid diagnosis involves 512-slice CT and 3 Tesla MRI. Multi-disciplinary teams of ophthalmologists and neurologists aim to restore blood flow within 6 to 12 hours.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Many centres offer basic eye care. Patients should prioritise facilities with 3 Tesla MRI and established stroke protocols. Memorial Göztepe Hospital provides these technologies. These tools allow specialists to confirm blockages in minutes. This is vital for saving vision during the 6-hour critical window.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that rapid diagnosis is vital because vision loss often becomes permanent very quickly. Experience shows that interventions like hyperbaric oxygen in Turkey may provide initial improvement. This occurs during the recovery phase.
Central retinal artery occlusion requires emergency treatment within 4 to 6 hours to prevent permanent vision loss. Turkish hospitals provide 24/7 specialist intervention using imaging and therapies. Because this is a medical emergency, patients must seek the nearest emergency department immediately rather than arranging travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ophthalmology centres provide a significant advantage for complex retinal cases. Prof. Dr Osman Sevki Arslan at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital treats over 300,000 patients annually. His experience with original surgical techniques is critical. High-volume centres like this manage more vascular eye emergencies than many smaller regional hospitals.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that sudden vision loss requires immediate action at the nearest hospital. In Turkey, they find that clinics are well-equipped with diagnostic tools like OCT to confirm blockages quickly.
Turkish specialists achieve a 54% response rate for non-arteritic cases when treatment starts within 12 hours. The condition is a severe emergency. However, specific protocols at centres like Bursa and Istanbul improve the outlook. Quick intervention with hyperbaric oxygen therapy is vital for success.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ophthalmology stands out due to the high number of JCI-accredited facilities with on-site hyperbaric units. Professors like Dr Ali Riza Cenk Celebi hold fellowships from Harvard, so protocols match top international standards. Patients benefit from this academic depth, as these specialists often lead research into retinal vascular diseases.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasise that time is critical because damage becomes irreversible very quickly in Turkey. Most note that while hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps, the 2-hour window is essential for the best results.
Turkey offers advanced emergency retinal care in JCI-accredited facilities through specialists like Prof. Dr Osman Sevki Arslan. Treatment focuses on rapid intervention. It includes intravitreal injections, Pars Plana Vitrectomy, and multidisciplinary management. This involves neurologists and cardiologists to address systemic causes of eye strokes.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many clinics offer eye care, Turkish centres like Memorial Göztepe integrate 39 different departments. This multidisciplinary structure is vital for retinal artery occlusion. Specialists like Prof. Dr Ali Riza Cenk Celebi hold a Harvard fellowship. They can coordinate with cardiologists to manage underlying stroke risks effectively.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that immediate emergency care at a major hospital is the only way to save vision. Specialist retina units in Istanbul are highly regarded. They manage complex vascular cases and provide thorough follow-up scans.