Dr Theppachai Thammikasakul is a specialised ophthalmologist at Intrarat Hospital with advanced fellowship training in corneal and refractive surgery from Khon Kaen University.

• Completed his Doctor of Medicine at the Phramongkutklao College of Medicine
• Holds a formal Ophthalmology Certificate from Phramongkutklao Hospital
• Focuses on surgical interventions for complex eye conditions and vision correction
• Translates high-level fellowship training into precise surgical outcomes for patients
• Expert in microsurgical techniques required for delicate retinal and corneal procedures

Professor Arslan is a leading authority in ophthalmic microsurgery, having pioneered two original surgical techniques and founded the Cerrahpasa Eye Bank.

• Developed the Arslan closed and covered cornea techniques for complex ocular repairs
• Served as President of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association
• Represents Turkey as an official examiner for the European Board of Ophthalmology
• Specialises in managing Behçet's disease complications and anterior segment reconstruction
• Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons

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.

Dr Birgi Sönmezer is a highly focused specialist who spent five years in dedicated post-specialisation training within a Retina and Vitreoretinal Surgery Clinic.

• Completed advanced medical training at the prestigious Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
• Focuses on vitreoretinal surgery for complex retinal cases at Medical Park Antalya
• Maintained a long-term clinical focus on retinal health across major specialised eye centres
• Brings technical expertise in laser-assisted eye procedures and retinal repair techniques
• Experienced in managing high-volume cases within dedicated ophthalmology hospital branches

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

Education and Expertise

2005 – Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Education

2011 – Istanbul Göztepe Training and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Specialization

Specialization Thesis: Our Grid Laser Results in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

Experience

Erzincan State Hospital

Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital

Gebze Fatih State Hospital

Tuzla State Hospital

Courses and Certificates

56th TOD National Congress

ESCRS (The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons)

7th TOD Live Surgery Symposium

Cataract and Refractive Surgery Skills Transfer Course

Cataract and Refractive Surgery Live Applications

Professional Memberships

-Turkish Ophthalmology Association

-Turkish Medical Association, Istanbul Chamber

Dr Yoonjung Jo is a board-certified ophthalmologist and Director at Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic who is officially recognised as a ZEISS SMILE Excellent Surgeon. She specialises in complex vision correction and surgical planning for external eye health.

• Holds a clinical faculty role as Visiting Professor at Hallym University Medical Center
• Maintains full membership with the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
• Active member of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO)
• Collaborates with the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
• Trained at the Hallym University Medical Center for specialist ophthalmology residency

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

Dr Ugur Yayla is a dedicated specialist at Medipol University Pendik Hospital who holds a targeted fellowship in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery from Gazi University.

• Specialises in medical retina and complex surgical repairs
• Completed a second fellowship in Retinopathy of Prematurity at Zekai Tahir Burak Hospital
• Experienced in treating fragile retinal conditions in both adults and infants
• Trained at Uludag University, a respected Turkish centre for ophthalmology
• Focuses on precise surgical techniques for delicate retinal reattachment

Assistant Professor Ugur Tunc recently completed a prestigious clinical fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University – consistently ranked as a top US eye hospital.

• Treats retinal diseases and complex macular conditions at Medipol Acibadem District Hospital
• Recipient of the Young Ophthalmologist Science Award from the Turkish Ophthalmological Society
• Published 18 peer-reviewed research papers on surgical outcomes and ocular surface health
• Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and European Society of Cataract Specialists

Professor Yucel Ozturk has performed over 30,000 surgical cases at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital, focusing on some of the most complex eye conditions.

• Specialises in vitreoretinal surgery for heavy re-attachments
• Maintains a high volume surgical practice in Istanbul
• Member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association
• Published 20 scientific papers on national and international levels
• Completed advanced training at Dr Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Education and Research Hospital

Dr. Seong-Won Cho is Director of Ophthalmology and a refractive surgery specialist at Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul. He is board-certified. He completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at Korea University Anam Hospital. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston University. He focuses on advanced vision correction, including SMILE and LASIK. He previously served as Director at Blue World Eye Clinic. He was also an outpatient ophthalmology consultant at Inha University Hospital.

Accreditations: ZEISS SMILE Excellent Surgeon (Certified). Memberships: Korean Medical Association; Korean Ophthalmological Association; Korean Ophthalmological Society; American Academy of Ophthalmology; Asia Pacific Association of Ophthalmologists; Korean External Eye Study Group; Korean Contact Lens Society; Korean Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery; European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons; American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery; ARVO.

Dr Esra Vural is a Fellowship-awarded retinal expert with over 5,000 surgical cases performed at major Turkish and German institutions.

• Holds the prestigious Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO) qualification
• Completed advanced vitreoretinal training at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich
• Passed the International Council of Ophthalmology advanced clinical examinations to earn FICO status
• Published academic research on innovative retinal prostheses and surgical treatments
• Active member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association specialising in complex eye 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.