Strabismus Doctors Abroad — Page 2

Dr Mehmet Tahir Sam is a highly accomplished ophthalmologist at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Antalya with a massive career clinical volume of over 27,000 surgical cases.

• Recognised as a live surgery instructor who teaches other eye surgeons corrective techniques
• Moderated the 2016 TOD Winter Symposium specifically focusing on strabismus management
• Served on the Board of Directors for the Turkish Ophthalmology Association branch
• Studied medicine in English at Hacettepe University, one of the region's top-tier medical schools

Dr. Sumet Supalaset, MD, is a specialist in cornea and refractive surgery. He holds certifications from top institutions in London, Kyoto, and Chiang Mai University. He completed observership training at UCLA. Dr. Sumet earned his bachelor's degree in ophthalmology from Phramongkutklao Hospital and graduated with honors from Chulalongkorn University in 1997.

He has published research articles in international journals. His work focuses on LASIK, corneal diseases, and advanced refractive procedures. Dr. Sumet is skilled in many surgical techniques, including LASIK, SMILE, PRK, ICL, phacoemulsification, corneal transplantation, and tumor excision. He is a former lecturer at Chulabhorn Hospital. Dr. Sumet speaks Thai, English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Dr Theppachai Thammikasakul is an ophthalmology specialist at Intrarat Hospital who holds sub-board certification in corneal and refractive surgery from Khon Kaen University.

• Trained at Phramongkutklao Hospital, one of Thailand's leading military medical institutions
• Specialises in precise eye muscle adjustments and refractive corrections
• Focuses on restoring eye alignment and binocular vision through surgical techniques
• Holds a Doctor of Medicine from the Phramongkutklao College of Medicine

Dr Alperen Koc has performed 1,100 successful ophthalmic procedures and currently provides expert care at Valued Med Hub Hospitals.

• Specialises in managing complex eye misalignments and corneal conditions
• Completed specialist training at the prestigious Beyoglu Eye Hospital
• Former Senior Lecturer at Yeniyuzyil University Gaziosmanpasa Hospital
• Active member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association
• Graduated from the Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine

Associate Professor Esra Ayhan Tuzcu is a senior ophthalmologist at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Antalya who specialises in complex ocular corrections and surgical retina-vitreous diseases.

• Published over 50 scientific papers on eye diseases and surgical outcomes
• Held Associate Professor rank at Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine
• Member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association with two decades of case experience
• Completed specialised training in vitreoretinal surgery and eye infections in Ankara
• Graduated third in her medical class at Cumhuriyet University

Dr. Ali Riza Cenk Celebi is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Acibadem University (2023–2025). He practices at Acibadem Maslak Hospital (2024–2025). He completed a glaucoma fellowship at Harvard/Mass Eye and Ear in 2016. His clinical work covers glaucoma (MIGS, seton procedures), cornea (limbal stem cell surgery), lacrimal surgery (scarless endoscopic DCR), medical retina (intravitreal injections), myopia control in children, and orbital surgery.

He earned his MD from Hacettepe University and ranked 3rd in his class. He began his ophthalmology residency after placing 11th in Turkey’s TUS exam. Certifications include ICO Basic and Clinical (2010), FEBO (2015), Turkish Board (2016), Advanced ICO/FICO (2017), and USMLE Step 4. His awards include Acibadem Academic Achievement (2015–2023), Best Presentation (2022), and TOD awards (2022–2023). He has published 58 international articles and 15 books. He holds an MSc in Biological Data Science (GPA 3.94/4.00, top of term) and completed training in AI in Healthcare in 2020.

Education and Specialization

• 1988-1994: Medical Education, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
• 1999-2002: Specialization, Istanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital
• 2002-2007: Post-Specialization Training, Istanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Retina and Vitreoretinal Surgery Clinic

Professional Experience

• 2002-2007: World Eye Hospital, Levent and Ataköy Branches
• 2007-2010: Founding Partner, Kayseri Maya Eye Hospital
• 2010-2012: World Eye Hospital, Samsun and Bursa Branches
• 2012-2023: World Eye Hospital, Antalya Branch
• 2024: Antalya Medical Park Hospital, Eye Laser Clinic

Prof. Yusuf Yıldırım, M.D.

Ophthalmology

Areas of Expertise and Interest

• Cataract and Refractive Surgery
• Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases
• Ocular Surface Reconstruction
• Cornea Transplantation (PK, DALK, DMEK)
• Refractive Surgery (PRK, LASIK, SMILE, phakic IOLs)

Education and Career

• 2006 – 2010, Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital / Resident in Ophthalmology
• 2007, Sub-Investigator, Clinical Trial on Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Neovista, Inc.)
• 2009 – 2011, Sub-Investigator, Keraflex Treatment for Myopia (Avedro, Inc.)
• 2016, European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO) Certification
• 2018, International Council of Ophthalmology (FICO) Certification
• 2019, Cornea and External Disease Subspecialty Diploma
• 2020, Membership, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Until 2024, Professor and Clinical Education Chief, Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital
• 2024 – Present, Professor and Clinical Educator, Istanbul Medipol University, Medipol Acıbadem District Hospital

Career

Born in Trabzon in 1982, Prof. Yusuf Yıldırım completed his high school education at Kanuni Anatolian High School and earned his medical degree from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 2006. He pursued his residency at Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital, where he contributed to clinical trials on age-related macular degeneration and myopia treatment. Prof. Yıldırım's clinical focus lies in cataract and refractive surgeries, as well as corneal and ocular surface diseases. He has performed over 10,000 cataract surgeries, numerous ocular surface reconstructions, and advanced corneal transplants (PK, DALK, DMEK). His refractive surgery experience includes PRK, LASIK (mechanical and femtosecond), SMILE, and phakic IOL implantation. He continues to participate in clinical research, particularly involving toric phakic IOLs. He holds multiple distinguished certifications and memberships including FEBO (2016), FICO (2018), a Corneal Subspecialty Diploma (2019), and Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (2020). In his academic career, Prof. Yıldırım has contributed to the education of numerous residents and has published widely in the field.

Publications

• Author of 84 peer-reviewed scientific articles
• H-index: 17 (Web of Science), 23 (Google Scholar)
• Total Citations: 830 (Web of Science), 1,451 (Google Scholar)

Books and Book Chapters

• Ocular Surface Disorders
• Corneal Diseases and Surgery
• Refractive Errors (including Presbyopia)

Certifications and Awards

• European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO), 2016
• International Council of Ophthalmology (FICO), 2018
• Cornea and External Disease Subspecialty Diploma, 2019
• Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, 2020
• 2nd Place – Best Poster Award, ESCRS Conference, London, 2014

Dr. Digdem Begendi is an experienced ophthalmologist. She specializes in cataract surgery with IOL replacement, LASIK, and strabismus treatment. She is skilled in advanced procedures, including intraLase laser eye surgery, laser iridotomy, and femtosecond laser techniques.

Dr. Begendi has published several articles in national and international journals. Her work shows a strong commitment to research and clinical care. She is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association. She completed her medical degree at Istanbul Bilim University and her specialization at Akdeniz University.

Professor Akif Saygin is a specialised ophthalmologist at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital with deep expertise in surgical eye correction.

• Member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
• Specialises in ophthalmology with training from Istanbul Goztepe Training and Research Hospital
• Performs surgical alignment to correct eye positioning and improve binocular vision
• Active member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association involved in surgical symposiums

Dr Nichaboon Chotkajornkiat is a dual-certified specialist at Bangkok Eye Hospital. She holds advanced qualifications in both paediatric ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology.

• Specialises in neuro-ophthalmology – focuses on vision problems related to the nervous system and brain
• Completed fellowship training in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at Mahidol University
• Certified by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand
• Holds a diploma from the Thai Board of Ophthalmology
• Expertise covers complex alignment cases in both children and adults

Dr Nafiz Selcuk Cekmeceli is an ophthalmology specialist at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital who trained at the prestigious Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute in the USA.

• Completed specialist ophthalmology training at the Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital
• Studied refractive surgery at Moscow University Eye Institute to correct vision issues
• Uses phaco surgery techniques for delicate eye procedures requiring high precision
• Active member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association’s clinical community
• Manages complex eye alignment cases within a major hospital setting

Assistant Professor Ugur Tunc recently completed a prestigious research fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University – consistently ranked as a top ophthalmology centre globally.

• Specialises in managing complex ocular surface disorders and corneal diseases
• Recognised with the Young Ophthalmologist Science Award from the Turkish Ophthalmological Society
• Regular presenter at major global forums including the World Ophthalmology Congress
• Published 18 peer-reviewed papers on advanced eye surgery outcomes and management
• Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons

EDUCATION:

2015

Uludag University, Ophthalmology

2008

Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine

2001

Kırıkkale Science High School, Numerical

EXPERIENCE:

2019 Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Ophthalmology (Vitreo-Retinal Surgery and Medical Retina Fellowship)

2016 SBÜ Zekai Tahir Burak EAH (Retinopathy of Prematurity Fellowship)/

2015 - 2023 Kocaeli Derince Training and Research Hospital

2023 - Medipol University Pendik Hospital