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.

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

Education & Expertise

1988 | Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine

1992 | Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital – Specialization in Ophthalmology

1996 | Moscow University Eye Institute – Refractive Surgery

1998 | Miami Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute (Florida, USA) – Phaco Surgery

Current - VM MedicalPark Pendik Hospital Ophtalmology Department

Professional Memberships

Turkish Medical Association

Turkish Ophthalmology Association

Experience:

1. Konya-Karapınar Kutören Health Center\ General Practitioner
2. KonyaProvincial Deputy Directorate of Health
3. KonyaProvincial Health DeputyDirectorate
4. Istanbul Fatih Tuberculosis Dispensary
5. University of Frankfurt \ Darmstadt Eye Clinic
6. Istanbul Taksim State Hospital\ Eye Diseases
7. Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine \ Chief Assistantof the Department of Ophthalmology
8. Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Eye Bank \ Founder (MedicalDirector)
9. TOD\ Chairman
10. Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa - Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine\ First Head of the Department of Ophthalmology
11. Demiroğlu-Bilim University \ Head of Ophthalmology Department
12. Florence Nightingale Hospitals \ Eye ClinicCoordinator

Specialties:

1. Vaccinating the child age group
2. Follow-up of eye eclipse in Behçet’s disease with iris and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA)

Priority treatments:

1. Anterior segment surgery (cataract + IOL implantation, keratoplasty)

Special advanced health technologies:

1. Arslan closed cornea technique
2. Arslan covered cornea technique
3. Retrograde glaucoma tube implantation

Leadership and Administrative Roles (Turkish Ophthalmology Association - TOD):

• Various administrative roles at TOD including:
• President of TOD IstanbulBranch (2006-2010, 2008-2010)
• General Secretary (2015-2017)
• President of TOD (2017-2019)
• Member of TOD CentralExecutive Board (2011-2013, 2013-2015)
• Member of Executive Board of the Cornea and Ocular Surface(COS) Unit of TOD (1994-2023)
• Member of Executive Board of TOD Cataract and Refractive SurgeryUnit (2016-2018)

Research and Publications:

• Authored 57 original articlesin international peer-reviewed journals
• Authored 56 articles in national peer-reviewed journals
• Presented 178 papers at national conferences and 102 papersat international conferences
• Authored 1 book and 6 book chapters
• Developed two original surgicaltechniques and the Retrograde GlaucomaTube Implantation technique
• Served on editorial boardsof various international and national journals

Memberships and Affiliations:

• Member of American Academyof Ophthalmology (AAO) and EuropeanSociety of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
• Examiner for European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) exams representing Turkey

Awards:

• Received awards from IstanbulUniversity and TÜBİTAK

Education:

Uğur Tunç, M.D.

Ophthalmology

Areas of Expertise and Interest

• Cataract Surgery
• Corneal Diseases & Refractive Surgery
• Ocular Surface Disorders
• Retinal Diseases

Education

• Uludağ University, Faculty of Medicine – M.D., 2016
• Istanbul Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital – Ophthalmology Residency, 2021
   

Career

• 2024–Present: Assistant Professor, Istanbul Medipol University; Ophthalmologist, Medipol Acıbadem Bölge Hospital
• 2023–2024: Research Fellow, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University (Cornea & External Disease)
• 2021–2023: Specialist Ophthalmologist, Eyüpsultan State Hospital

Publications (Selected)

• Tunç U, et al. Corneal bacterial microbiome in keratoconus patients. Ocul Surf. 2023.
• Tunç U, et al. Comparison of dexamethasone implants in diabetic macular edema. Int Ophthalmol. 2022.
  Tunç U, et al. Corneal bacterial microbiome in keratoconus patients. Ocul Surf. 2023.
• Tunç U, et al. Comparison of dexamethasone implants in diabetic macular edema. Int Ophthalmol. 2022.
• Tunç U, et al. Topical anesthesia in phacoemulsification surgery: a randomized study. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2021.
• Tunç U, et al. Analysis of corneal ectasia progression after cross-linking. Turk J Ophthalmol. 2020.
• Tunç U, et al. Macular edema management outcomes: real-life data. Turk J Ophthalmol. 2020.
  (Total: 18 peer-reviewed publications, 11 international, 7 national)
• Tunç U, et al. Topical anesthesia in phacoemulsification surgery: a randomized study. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2021.

Conferences & Scientific Activity

• Presenter, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) Congress
• Presenter, World Ophthalmology Congress
• Presenter, Turkish Ophthalmological Society (TOD) Annual Congresses
• Panelist & instructor in corneal and refractive surgery training courses

Awards

• 2nd Prize, Best Oral Presentation – AI in Health Congress, 2020
• Travel Grant – ESCRS Milan, 2022
• Young Ophthalmologist Science Award – Turkish Ophthalmological Society, 2022

Memberships

• Turkish Ophthalmological Society (TOD)
• Turkish Medical Association
• European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)

Education

2019 İSTANBUL MEDİPOL UNIVERSITY, ASSOC. PROF. DR. - OPHTHALMOLOGY

2004 ISTANBUL PROF. DR. N. REŞAT BELGER BEYOĞLU E.A.H, SPECIALIZATION IN MEDICINE - OPHTHALMOLOGY

1999 ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY, ISTANBUL MEDICAL FACULTY

1999 ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY, ISTANBUL MEDICAL FACULTY

Publications

A. International Peer-Reviewed Journals:

Title: Comparison of different formulas for intraocular lens power calculation using a new optical biometer.

• Authors: Kaya Faruk, Koçak İbrahim, Aydın Ali, Baybora Hakan, Karabela Yunus
• Journal: Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie
• Year: 2015
• Volume: 38(8)
• Pages: 717-722
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2015.03.006

Title: Change in choroidal thickness after intravitreal injection for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: Ranibizumab versus aflibercept.

• Author: Kaya Faruk
• Journal: Journal Français d’Ophtalmologie
• Year: 2017
• Volume: 40(10)
• Pages: 832-838
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2017.04.014

Title: Effect of aflibercept on persistent macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion.

• Authors: Kaya Faruk, Koçak İbrahim, Aydın Ali, Baybora Hakan, Koç Hacı, Karabela Yunus
• Journal: Journal Français d’Ophtalmologie
• Year: 2018
• Volume: 41(9)
• Pages: 809-813
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2018.01.024

Title: Epithelium-off corneal cross-linking in progressive keratoconus: 6-year outcomes.

• Author: Kaya Faruk
• Journal: Journal Français d’Ophtalmologie
• Year: 2019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2018.09.013

Authors: Eliaçık Mustafa, Karaman Erdur Sevil, Baltepe Altıok İnci, Gülkılık İbrahim Gökhan, Anıl Aslan Cemile, Kaya Faruk

• Journal: The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
• Year: 2016
• Volume: 32(1)
• Pages: 38-43
• DOI: 10.1016/j.kjms.2015.12.004

Authors: Karabela Yunus, Eliaçık Mustafa, Kaya Faruk

• Journal: BMC Ophthalmology
• Year: 2016
• Volume: 16(1)
• DOI: 10.1186/s12886-016-0271-8

Authors: Koçak İbrahim, Koçak Funda, Teker Bahri, Aydın Ali, Kaya Faruk, Hakan Baybora

• Journal: International Journal of Ophthalmology
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 7(4)
• Pages: 686-688

Authors: Koçak İbrahim, Aydın Ali, Kaya Faruk, Koç Hacı

• Journal: Journal Français d’Ophtalmologie
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 37(5)
• Pages: 371-376
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2013.11.012

Authors: Baybora Hakan, Kaya Faruk, Koçak İbrahim, Karabela Yunus

• Journal: Turkish Neurosurgery
• Year: 2019
• DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.24775-18.4

Authors: Koçak İbrahim, Karabela Yunus, Karaman Mehmet, Kaya Faruk

• Journal: Journal of Refractive Surgery
• Year: 2006
• Volume: 22(8)
• Pages: 799-803
• DOI: 10.3928/1081-597X-20060901-04

B. Book Chapters:

Title: Corneal Cross-linking in Keratoconus.

• Authors: Kaya Faruk, Koçak İbrahim
• Book Title: Keratoconus: Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment
• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2017
• Pages: 163-169
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-45357-0_13

Title: Intraocular Lens Power Calculation in Eyes with Previous Myopic Refractive Surgery.

• Authors: Koçak İbrahim, Kaya Faruk
• Book Title: Mastering Refractive IOLs
• Publisher: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers
• Year: 2018
• Pages: 107-114
• DOI: 10.5005/jp/books/14282_10

Dr Mustafa Ozsutcu is an ophthalmology specialist at Medipol Bahçelievler University Hospital with deep expertise in surgical eye correction.

• Trained at Selçuk University specialising in complex ophthalmology cases
• Clinical background includes senior roles at Bezmialem Foundation University Faculty of Medicine
• Managed specialist eye care at Vakif Gureba Training and Research Hospital
• Focuses on precise alignment techniques for muscle-related eye conditions
• Works within a major university hospital framework for integrated patient care

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.

The doctor completed medical education at Marmara University School of Medicine and further specialized at Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital in Turkey. The doctor is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Turkish Ophthalmology Association, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the International Council of Ophthalmology. The doctor has passed the Basic Science and Clinical Science Board Exams from the International Council of Ophthalmology.

The doctor actively participates in international seminars and congresses, including the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the National Congress of Ophthalmology in Turkey.

The doctor graduated from Akdeniz University School of Medicine and completed career education at İzmir Bozyaka Teaching and Training Hospital in Turkey. Specializing in ophthalmology, the doctor is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the German Ophthalmological Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

Certified in advanced procedures such as LASIK application, presbyopia correction with multifocal intraocular lenses, and scleral fixation techniques, the doctor is also skilled in corneal collagen cross-linking and femtosecond applications for anterior segment surgery.

The doctor completed higher and career education at Hacettepe University School of Medicine in Turkey. Following this, the doctor gained extensive experience in ophthalmology, starting with a role at a military hospital in Sivas. The doctor then completed an internship and served as an assistant professor at Fırat University School of Medicine.

Further academic appointments included assistant and associate professorships at İnönü University School of Medicine. The doctor also worked at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Wilmer Eye Institute. Currently, the doctor is a professor at Biruni University and practices at Veni Vidi Göz Eye Hospital.

The doctor is an accomplished ophthalmologist with over two decades of experience in diagnosing and treating eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, and astigmatism. Specializing in retina diseases, the doctor is proficient in vitreoretinal surgery and macular surgeries. The doctor has contributed significantly to the field, with research on Phacik Intraocular Lenses distributed to over 300 ophthalmologists.

Memberships include the Turkish Ophthalmological Association, European Board of Ophthalmology, and American Academy of Ophthalmology. Medical training was completed at Uludag University, with further specialization in Istanbul and international expertise gained in the USA.

Dr Murat Ayan has managed over 10,000 ophthalmic cases throughout his career. He currently serves at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Samsun – part of a dedicated eye care group.

• Specialises in corrective eye surgery and ophthalmic medicine
• Completed specialist training at the Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital
• Member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association (TOD)
• Holds professional membership with the Turkish Medical Association
• Active in clinical practice across Turkish training and research institutions