ReLEx SMILE Eye Surgery Doctors in Turkey

Performed 20,000+ eye surgeries over 30 years – Dr. Matben Volkan specializes in refractive procedures at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Ankara.

• Trained at Ege University School of Medicine
• Board-certified ophthalmologist with extensive refractive surgery experience
• Member of ISRS – global refractive surgery experts
• Fluent in English for international patients

Over 20,000 surgical cases with 35 years of experience – Dr. Unsal is a highly skilled ophthalmologist at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Izmır.

• Specializes in ReLEx SMILE and other advanced eye surgeries
• Trained at Ege University Faculty of Medicine Eye Diseases
• Published over 50 national and international papers
• Member of TOD and American Academy of Ophthalmology

Dr. Arife Esra Kocakaya is an ophthalmologist. She trained at Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine. She has clinical experience at İzmir Atatürk, Şanlıurfa Balıklıgöl, and İzmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospitals.

She is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association, ESCRS, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She co-authored Ophthalmology: From Diagnosis to Treatment (2018). She presented at the XII Republican Congress of Belarus (2018) on dacryocystorhinostomy surgery and nonsurgical blepharoplasty.

She holds certificates from several TOD Skill Transfer Courses, including ptosis, vitreoretinal simulation, eyelid malpositions, the lacrimal system, and aesthetic eyelid and periorbital rejuvenation with botulinum toxin and fillers. She completed BILEP courses in ocular oncology, oculoplastics, cataract, and refractive surgery. She took AAO 2018 cadaver courses in facelifting, blepharoplasty, and oculoplastic surgery. She attended a pre-meeting course of the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She trained in corneal topography, orbital imaging, and hands-on cataract surgery. She is certified in CPR.

Dr. Ulviye Askerova, MD, is an ophthalmologist. She earned her MD from Azerbaijan Medical University in 2019. She is completing an ophthalmology residency at Göztepe City Hospital / Istanbul Medeniyet University (2021–2025). Her clinical focus includes cataract surgery with intraocular lenses (including trifocal), medical retina, pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, and oculoplastics.

She has two peer-reviewed international publications (Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol, 2023; Medical Journal of Medeniyet, 2025). She has given four presentations at national and international meetings (ASO & TROS 2022; TOD 2023; TOD 2024; ASO & TROS 2024).

She completed the TOD Vitreoretinal Surgery Unit “Basic Techniques in Vitreoretinal Surgery” Skills Transfer Course in May 2024. She has participated in nine congresses, symposia, and webinars from 2022 to 2025, including the TOD National Congresses (56th and 57th) and the 9th TOD Live Surgery Symposium.

Clinical Expertise

• General Eye Examination
• Cataract Treatment
• Glaucoma (High Eye Pressure)
• Laser Eye Treatments
• Presbyopia Treatment
• Intraocular Lens / Trifocal Lens
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Academic and Professional Background

1996-1997 • Military Doctor Eskişehir 600-Bed Air Hospital Eye Department,  
1997-1998• Research Assistant Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology.  
1998-1999• Assistant professor Dr. Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology.  
1999-2001 • Research Assistant Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and Glaucoma Sections Harvard University Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology 
2001-2002• Assistant professor Dr. Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology.  
2002-2007• Associate Professor Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. 
2007-2011  • Professor Dr. Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. 
2011-2013 • Professor Dr. Private Practice and West Eye Hospital, Erbil  
2013-2015  • Professor Dr. Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. 
2015-2021 • Professor Dr. Batıgöz Medical Center  
2021- • Professor Dr. Dünyagöz Hospital 

Education and Training

• 1990 Hacettepe University Medicine Graduate, English.  
  1995-1996 Research Assistant Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. 

Professional Membership

• Turkish Ophthalmology Association Turkish Ophthalmology Association Optical Refraction and Rehabilitation Unit, Active Member Turkish Ophthalmology Association Glaucoma Unit, Active Member Turkish Ophthalmology Association Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Active Member Member of European Vision and Eye Research and Secretary of the Glaucoma Unit 2006 American Academy of Ophthalmology

Dr. Helvacıoğlu specializes in ReLEx SMILE eye surgery at Veni Vidi Eye Clinics, with international training and certifications.

• Member of prestigious societies like ESCRS and ISRS
• Regularly attends global ophthalmology congresses
• Certified by the International Council of Ophthalmology
• Trained at Marmara University and Bakirkoy Hospital

Dr. Kaya specializes in advanced eye surgeries with certifications in LASIK and femtosecond applications at Veni Vidi Eye Clinics.

• Trained at Akdeniz University and İzmir Bozyaka Teaching Hospital
• Member of prestigious societies like AAO and ESCRS
• Certified in corneal collagen cross-linking and scleral fixation
• Expert in corneal topography analyzing

Prof. Türkçüoğlu trained at Johns Hopkins Hospital's Wilmer Eye Institute – one of the world's top ophthalmology centers.

• Over 27 years of experience in ophthalmology
• Specializes in advanced eye surgeries including ReLEx SMILE
• Professor at Biruni University in Istanbul
• Works at Veni Vidi Eye Clinics

Prof Yusuf Yildirim is a top corneal and refractive surgeon, currently practicing at Acibadem District Hospital with a focus on ReLEx SMILE eye surgery.

• Specializes in Keratoplasty and Refractive Surgery, including SMILE procedures
• Holds the prestigious European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD)
• Fellow of the International Council of Ophthalmology (FICO)
• Associate Professor with extensive teaching and research background
• Member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Society's Cornea and Refractive departments

15 years specializing in eye care – Dr. Yildiz brings extensive expertise to ReLEx SMILE eye surgery at Can Hospitals Turkey.

• Graduated from Dicle University Faculty of Medicine
• Published over 100 medical articles on eye care
• Fluent in English and Turkish for international patients

Dr. Volkan Hurmeric is an ophthalmologist at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Ankara Tunus. He performs laser vision correction and cataract surgery. Dr. Hurmeric treats corneal conditions such as keratoconus. He works at an ISO-certified facility that serves over 68,000 patients annually. The hospital holds the International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate.

• Performs LASIK, LASEK, and ReLEx SMILE eye surgery.
• Performs cataract surgery with multifocal lens implants.
• Member of the Turkish Medical Association.
• Replaces IOLs to restore vision.

Dr. Karakaya specializes in advanced ophthalmic surgeries, including ReLEx SMILE, at Veni Vidi Eye Clinics.

• Skilled in retinal detachment and cataract surgeries
• Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
• Active participant in global ophthalmology seminars
• Trained at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Tuğrul Akın specializes in ReLEx SMILE eye surgery at Veni Vidi Eye Clinics, combining precision with extensive training.

• Graduated from Ankara University School of Medicine
• Completed career education at Gülhane Military Medical Academy
• Member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association
• Also affiliated with the Turkish Medical Association

Dr. Ertan Sunay trains other surgeons globally in advanced refractive techniques, with certifications in 16+ specialized eye surgeries.

• Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
• Trained in Belgium and Turkey, with expertise in corneal wavefront analysis
• Frequent lecturer at international ophthalmology congresses
• Skilled in PresbyMAX and micro-monovision laser techniques