Page 2 - Best Keratoconus doctors in Istanbul: TOP 31 doctors

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.

Dr. Zeynep Alkin is a Professor of Ophthalmology. She specializes in medical retina and vitreoretinal surgery. She earned her medical degree at Istanbul University. She completed her residency at Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital. Dr. Alkin later served as an Assistant Professor and Clinical Fellow in retina departments. She also completed a research fellowship at Doheny Eye Institute, USC. She is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Society and its Medical and Surgical Retina Boards.

Dr. Alkin has given over 40 presentations at national and international meetings. She has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. Her main interests are retinal diseases, diabetic macular edema, and age-related macular degeneration. Her research includes multicenter studies and real-world data analyses. Dr. Alkin’s work supports evidence-based practice in ophthalmology.

Dr. Mehmet Orçun Akdemir is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association. He has published 24 articles in international peer‑reviewed journals, many indexed in SCI/SCI‑E. He has 17 papers in national peer‑reviewed journals. He has given 5 presentations at international meetings.

His work centers on the cornea and anterior segment. Areas include keratoconus; DALK, PKP, and DSAEK; corneal biomechanics; and corneal cross‑linking. He also studies glaucoma surgery after keratoplasty, ocular surface disease and pseudoexfoliation, and neuro‑ophthalmology and retina. He contributed to 4 ophthalmology book translations. His studies compare DALK and PKP outcomes in keratoconus, analyze biomechanics after DALK, evaluate graft thickness after DSAEK, and compare trabeculectomy with the Ahmed valve in post‑PKP glaucoma.

Curriculum Vitae

Place and Date of Birth

• Manisa, 1965

Language Skills

• English

Education and Experience

• Uludağ University, School of Medicine
• Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital (Specialization Training)

Number of scientific publications and articles

• 201

Case Experience

• Experience with more than 55,000 surgical cases during 32 years of active service as an ophthalmologist.

Memberships

• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Turkish Society of Ophthalmology
• Turkish Republics Ophthalmology Society
• Turkish Medical Association
• Society of Fenerbahçe Fans

Dr. Tuğrul Akın is an experienced ophthalmologist. He graduated from Ankara University School of Medicine. He completed his specialist training at Gülhane Military Medical Academy in Turkey. He is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association and the Turkish Medical Association. He is committed to professional growth and ongoing medical education.

Dr. Akın has made important contributions to ophthalmology. He focuses on advanced diagnostics and new treatment methods. His clinical practice is known for high patient satisfaction and compliance with international standards. Dr. Akın is recognized as a respected expert in Turkish ophthalmology.

Dr. Gokay Gunay is an ophthalmologist. He trained at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine (1991–1997) and at Istanbul University Çapa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Eye Diseases (1997–2001).

He has experience in over 20,000 surgical cases. He is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He speaks English.

Areas of Expertise and Interest:

• Keratoplasty (Penetrating and Lamellar)
• Refractive Surgery
• Cataract Surgery
• Corneal Biomechanics and Keratoconus

Education:

• Istanbul University, Faculty of Medicine

Professional and Observational Experience:

• Assistant Doctor (Ophthalmology) at Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital, 2006-2010
• Ophthalmologist at Ağrı Patnos Government Hospital, 2011-2012
• Ophthalmologist (Cataract and Refractive Surgery Department, Cornea and Ocular Surface Disease Department) at Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital, 2012-2018
• Associate Professor at University of Health Sciences, Beyoğlu Eye Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, 2018-2024
• Professor at Acıbadem District Hospital, 2024-Present

International Diplomas:

• European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) 
• International Council of Ophthalmology - Basic Science, 2017
• International Council of Ophthalmology - Optics and Refraction, 2017
• International Council of Ophthalmology - Clinical Science, 2018
• International Council of Ophthalmology - Advanced, 2018 (FICO)

Certificates:

• Basic Good Clinical Practices
• Advanced Good Clinical Practices

Memberships in Scientific Organizations:

• Turkish Ophthalmology Society
  • Active Member, Cornea and Ocular Surface Department
  • Active Member, Young Ophthalmologist Department
  • Active Member, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Department

Education and Training:

• 9/2009 - 7/2016: MD, Uludag University School of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey
• 3/2017 - 5/2021: Ophthalmology Residency, Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
• 2/2023 - 12/2023: Research Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University, Wilmer Eye Institute, USA

Professional Experience:

• 8/2016 - 2/2017: Staff, Silivri State Hospital, Emergency Department, Istanbul, Turkey
• 7/2021 - 2/2023: Ophthalmologist, Eyupsultan State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
• 2/2023 - 5/2023: Ophthalmologist, New Century University, Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul, Turkey
• 5/2023 - Present: Ophthalmologist, Medipol Acibadem Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey