Memorial Şişli Hospital
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. Yucel Ozturk is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association. He has performed over 30,000 surgeries and authored 20 national and international publications.
He earned his medical degree at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine (2004–2011). He trained at Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Education and Research Hospital (2012–2016). He then worked at Haydarpaşa Numune Education and Research Hospital (2016–2022).
Language: English.
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.
Dr. Mehmet Orçun Akdemir is a respected ophthalmologist with extensive research in optic nerve conditions, including multiple publications in international journals.
Optic nerve atrophy is generally irreversible because dead nerve fibers cannot regenerate. Treatment focus is on stopping further vision loss by addressing underlying causes. Specialized clinics in Turkey use neuro-ophthalmology assessments and advanced imaging to stabilize remaining vision and prevent additional damage.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish eye hospitals often handle much higher patient volumes than European centers. Dunyagoz Eye Hospital treats 66,000 patients every year. This massive caseload means specialists see rare neuro-ophthalmic disorders daily. They can often diagnose the root cause faster which is vital for saving remaining vision.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that controlling inflammation or pressure sometimes brings slight vision improvements. However, they emphasize that early diagnosis is the only way to effectively stop the atrophy from progressing.
Turkey offers advanced optic nerve atrophy care within JCI-accredited facilities. Patients access neuro-ophthalmology evaluations, stem cell therapies, and specialized surgeries. Leading centers in Istanbul integrate diagnostic imaging like OCT and MRI to determine the underlying cause before starting treatment.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patient volume indicates that eye centers like Dunyagoz Etiler treat 66,000+ patients annually. This high frequency allows surgeons to specialize in rare neuro-ophthalmology cases that general clinics see less often. Choosing a clinic with high surgical turnover often ensures better access to the newest intraocular lens techniques or laser equipment.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to bring recent OCT scans and MRI reports for independent review. They recommend focusing on preserving existing vision rather than expecting a full cure, as recovery typically requires significant patience.
Treatments for optic nerve atrophy focus on stabilizing vision rather than regeneration. Common side effects include immune suppression from corticosteroids or localized inflammation from stem cell injections. Physical risks like bleeding or infection relate to surgical procedures. Success depends on managing the underlying cause effectively.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish eye hospitals like Dunyagoz and Veni Vidi perform 30,000+ surgeries annually. This high volume often leads to better risk management for complex cases. Many patients choose these centers because they offer advanced diagnostics like 512-slice CT. High-tech imaging helps doctors identify the exact cause and avoid unnecessary procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that initial soreness at the injection site is common after cell-based therapies. Many emphasize that the primary challenge is managing expectations, as treatments often aim only to stop further vision loss.
Stem cell therapy for optic nerve atrophy shows effectiveness in up to 83% of cases. Turkish specialists utilize autologous bone marrow or umbilical cord cells to stimulate existing nerve tissues. This experimental approach aims to improve light perception and reduce visual strain rather than fully restoring total vision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patient volume is a major indicator of clinical expertise in Turkey. Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Istanbul Etiler treats 66,000 patients annually. High-volume centers often provide access to specialized surgeons like Dr. Yucel Ozturk. He has performed over 30,000 surgical cases. Choosing such experienced specialists can be more critical for rare conditions than any specific technology.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that initial results are subtle and require significant patience after the procedure. Many emphasize checking exactly which cell types are used to avoid being misled by vague marketing promises.
International patients in Turkey navigate a structured process including remote record review, diagnostic confirmation, and coordinated logistics. Facilities like Anadolu Medical Center and Memorial Şişli Hospital provide JCI-accredited care. The journey typically begins with submitting scans for specialist evaluation before patients travel for specialized treatments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows Turkey dominates as the top destination for international medical requests, serving over 32,000 patients annually. Large networks like Dunyagoz Eye Hospital manage over 60,000 patients each year through highly specialized sub-units. This high volume allows clinics to maintain 24/7 operations and offer niche expertise in complex neuro-ophthalmology cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is essential to bring both digital and hard copies of all eye imaging. Many emphasize the need to schedule extra days for repeat testing and detailed specialist consultations.
Early intervention is vital for optic nerve atrophy treatment in Turkey. Specialists emphasize treating the underlying cause while residual vision remains. Success depends on addressing active issues like inflammation, pressure, or vascular deficits. Once atrophy is complete, restoring lost vision becomes significantly more difficult.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows high-volume centers like Dunyagoz Eye Hospital treat 66,000 patients annually. Their experience suggests that stability is the primary goal for chronic cases. Patients should look for surgeons like Dr. Yucel Ozturk, who has performed 30,000 surgeries. Experts with this volume can better identify which cases actually benefit from intervention.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that results from regenerative treatments may take more than 15 days to appear. They emphasize that managing expectations for recovery is essential when dealing with long-term nerve damage.