Best ReLEx SMILE Eye Surgery Doctors Abroad

One of Thailand's leading refractive surgery experts, Dr. Vivat has performed over 37 years of vision correction procedures at top hospitals.

• Specializes in cornea and refractive surgery techniques
• Served as Medical Director of Rangsit University's Ophthalmology Center
• Trained at multiple prestigious Thai medical universities
• Heads the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Unit

Certified ZEISS SMILE Excellent Surgeon – Dr. Cho specializes in advanced vision correction procedures at Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic.

• Director of Ophthalmology with extensive training in refractive surgery
• Member of American Academy of Ophthalmology and other global societies
• Proficient in English for international patient consultations-hu

Specializes in ReLEx SMILE eye surgery at TRSC International Eye and Vision Center – a leading refractive surgery clinic in Thailand.

• Fellowship-trained in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at Chulalongkorn University
• Residency in Ophthalmology at a top Thai medical school
• Current refractive surgery specialist at TRSC International LASIK Center
• Previous cornea and refractive surgery specialist at Piyavate Hospital

Successfully treated over 500,000 patients with vision correction – Dr. Chong specializes in SMILE techniques at BGN Eye Hospital.

• Certified surgeon for SMILE, LASIK/LASEK, and ICL implantation
• Chief Director and Leading Surgeon at BGN Eye Hospital
• Regular speaker at international ophthalmological conferences
• Member of Korean and international refractive surgery societies

Place and Date of Birth 
Ankara, 1980 

Foreign Languages 
English 

Education and Experience 
1998 – 2004 Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine 
2005 – 2007 6th Motorized Infantry Brigade Infirmary, Şırnak (General Practitioner) 2007 – 2011 Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Ophthalmology (Specialization) 
2011 – 2018 Isparta Military Hospital / Isparta Yunus Emre State Hospital (Specialist Physician) 
2018 – 2022 Süleyman Demirel University, Department of Ophthalmology (Assistant Professor) 
2019 – 2019 Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Ophthalmology Vitreoretinal Surgery Course 
2022 – 2024 Lara Anatolia Hospital (Associate Professor) 

Number of Scientific Publications 
Over 50 scientific publications 
 

Clinical Experience 
13 years of active practice in ophthalmology; experience with over 10,000 cases 

Procedures Performed

• Cataract surgery with IOL replacement (Single and both eyes)
• LASIK and IntraLase laser eye surgery
• ReLEx SMILE and Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
• Corneal Cross Linking (CCL) for keratoconus
• Strabismus treatment and surgical correction
• Artisan Iris and Claw Lens applications
  Oculoplasty (eyelid surgery)
  
  Professional Memberships 
  Turkish Ophthalmological Association (TOD)
  American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 
  
  Certifications 
  International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) – Optics, Refraction & Instruments (2019)
   International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) – Basic Sciences (2019) International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) – Clinical Examination (2020) International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) – Fellowship of the International Council of Ophthalmology (FICO) (2021) 
  European Board of Ophthalmology – Fellowship of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO) (2021) 
  Awards 3rd Place for Best Research, 43rd National Congress of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association (TOD), 2009 
   

Books/Book Chapters 
Umut Karaca, *Healthy Generation, Secure Future: A Guide to Growth, Development, and Nutrition for School-Aged Children (for Families and Teachers)* – Chapter: "Vision Problems" (2021) 
Umut Karaca, *COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Approaches* – Chapter: "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Ophthalmology Practice" (2021) 
Umut Karaca, *Physical Examination Handbook (Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine)* – Chapter: "Strabismus Examination" (2019)
Umut Karaca, Murat Küçükevcilioğlu, Ali Hakan Durukan – *Pediatric Vitreoretinal Surgery* – Chapter title:(Closed Globe Injuries) (2023)

20,000+ eye surgeries over 25 years – Dr. Talu specializes in advanced ophthalmic procedures at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Istanbul Atakoy.

• Performs ReLEx SMILE among other refractive surgeries
• Published 50+ scientific papers on ophthalmology
• Member of American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
• Trained at prestigious institutions including Nice St. Antiapolis University Hospital

27,000+ surgical cases performed – Dr. Mehmet Tahir Sam specializes in advanced eye surgeries at Dünyagöz Eye Hospital Antalya.

• 25 years of ophthalmology experience
• Certified in Artisan Iris and EVRS Vitroretinal surgical techniques
• Member of Turkish Ophthalmology Association Board of Directors
• Conducted over 20 international and national oral presentations
• Live surgery instructor with 10+ scientific publications

Over 30,000 surgical eye procedures performed – Dr. Toygar specializes in laser eye treatments at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Istanbul Etiler.

• 30 years of experience in ophthalmology
• International certified instructor for intra corneal rings and phakic IOLs
• Member of American Academy of Ophthalmology and European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
• Co-founder and General Secretary of the Black Sea Countries Ophthalmological Society

Dr. Aylin Koc Akbay specializes in eye health, with a focus on advanced refractive procedures at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital.

• Skilled in a range of eye surgeries including ReLEx SMILE
• Board-certified in ophthalmology with years of specialized training
• Active member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons

Specialized in cataract and refractive surgery, Dr. Yasar Dag brings over a decade of expertise to ReLEx SMILE procedures.

• Trained at İstanbul Göztepe Training and Research Hospital
• Member of Turkish Ophthalmology Association
• Published multiple studies on refractive surgery outcomes

Dr. Busra Isleyen is an ophthalmologist. She earned her medical degree from Eskişehir Osmangazi University in 2018. She completed her ophthalmology residency at Süleyman Demirel University from 2019 to 2024. She practices at Burdur State Hospital from 2024 to 2026. Her procedures include cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation for one or both eyes, LASIK (IntraLase), ReLEx SMILE, PRK, and oculoplastic eyelid surgery.

She holds International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) certification. She completed training at the Visual Sciences Congress on Ozone and Regenerative Therapies. She is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association and the Turkish Medical Association. She has an international publication in Cornea (2025); doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000003804.

20,000+ surgical eye procedures performed over 21 years – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tanriverdi specializes in ophthalmology at Dünyagöz Etiler Hospital.

• Expert in refractive surgery techniques including ReLEx SMILE
• Awarded by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
• Member of multiple prestigious ophthalmology associations
• Former associate professor at Istanbul Medipol University

Dr. Ebru Gorgun brings 22 years of active ophthalmology practice to Dunyagoz Eye Hospital, specializing in ReLEx SMILE surgery.

• Trained at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa – renowned for ophthalmic education
• Active member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
• Affiliated with multiple international ophthalmology societies
• Lectured at Yeditepe University's ophthalmology department

Dr. Nurullah Bulut is an Associate Professor of ophthalmology at Memorial Göztepe Hospital. He holds a patent application for a unique intraocular lens design. Dr. Bulut trained in vitreoretinal surgery at the University of Chicago. He also completed ocular electrophysiology training in Germany. He is an expert in laser vision correction and retinal surgery.

• Published 26 peer-reviewed articles in international medical journals.
• Presented 29 scientific papers at global ophthalmology conferences.
• Maintains membership in EURETINA YOURS and the Turkish Ophthalmological Society.
• Practices at the JCI-accredited Memorial Health Group in Istanbul.

Specializes in ReLEx SMILE eye surgery at Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex, with extensive training in retina and vitreoretinal surgery.

• Over 32 years of experience in ophthalmology
• Trained at Istanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital
• Founding partner of Kayseri Maya Eye Hospital
• Expert in advanced eye laser techniques

55,000+ surgical cases over 26 years – Dr. Akcay brings vast experience to ReLEx SMILE eye surgery at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital.

• Specialized in ophthalmology at Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital
• Published 201 scientific articles on ophthalmology
• Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
• Fluent in English for international patients

Dr. Thammikasakul specializes in corneal and refractive surgery, trained with a sub-board fellowship at Khonkaen University.

• Graduated from Phramongkutklao College of Medicine
• Certified in Ophthalmology at Phramongkutklao Hospital
• Works as an Ophthalmologist at Intrarat Hospital

Dr. Sezen Akkaya is an eye surgery specialist at Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Istanbul Altunizade. She has completed over 9,000 surgical cases. Dr. Akkaya treats complex conditions like strabismus and cataracts using modern techniques. She serves as an Associate Professor at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital.

• Performs cataract surgery with multifocal lens implants and IOL replacement.
• Expert in laser eye surgery including ReLEx SMILE, LASIK, and LASEK.
• Authored over 35 scientific publications in international and Turkish journals.
• Member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association and the Istanbul Medical Chamber.