Parents should choose a surgeon with specialized fellowship training in pediatric retina and active weekly practice. Experience in Turkey is measured by high-density case volumes rather than just years. Top surgeons often perform 20,000+ eye surgeries and hold academic positions at major universities.
- Specialized fellowship: Surgeons should have dedicated ROP training at institutions like Gazi University.
- High case volume: Leading specialists in Istanbul have performed over 25,000 surgical procedures.
- International training: Top doctors complete fellowships at Wills Eye Institute or Harvard Medical School.
- Weekly screenings: Specialists must actively manage ROP cases frequently to track rapid disease progression.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While total years of experience are impressive, Bookimed data shows that academic leadership often correlates with better results for fragile infants. For instance, Dr. Ahmet Satici has over 30 years of clinical expertise and achieved the rank of full professor. Meanwhile, Dr. Muhammet Derda Ozer completed advanced training at the Wills Eye Institute and passed all four International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) examinations. This combination of local academic standing and international certification is a strong indicator of a qualified surgeon.
Patient Consensus: Parents note that the speed of intervention is more important than the clinic's appearance. They emphasize finding a surgeon who is comfortable working with very small infants and fragile medical conditions. Many felt relieved when their doctor had a clear plan for managing rapid changes in the baby's eye health.
