TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Prof. Dr. Yonca Aydın Akova
I graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1983. I completed my ophthalmology specialty training between 1985 and 1990 at the same faculty’s Department of Ophthalmology. Between 1988 and 1989, I worked for one year in the Cornea Department at Londra Moorfields Eye Hospital in the United Kingdom.
After completing my specialty, I undertook advanced training in corneal and refractive surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University (1991-1992, USA) and in immunological eye diseases and uveitis at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard University (1992-1993).
Between 1990 and 1997, I worked at the Cornea Department of Ankara Training and Research Hospital. I became an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology in 1994. From 1997 to 2012, I served as a faculty member at Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology.
I was promoted to Professor in 2000 and served as the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the same institution between 2003 and 2011.
I received the TÜBİTAK Postdoctoral Abroad Scholarship (1991-1992), the Eczacıbaşı Research Award (1995), and the “Achievement Award” from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (2011). Between 2012 and 2015, I served as an examiner for the European Board of Ophthalmology exams and received the Fellow of European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO) title in 2015.
I am currently an active member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Society’s units on Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Cornea and Ocular Surface, and Uvea and Behçet’s Disease.
Internationally, I am a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), American Academy of Ophthalmology, Eucornea, International Uveitis Study Group, International Ocular Inflammation Society, American Uveitis Society, and The Foster Ocular Immunology Society.
I have published over 170 articles in international ophthalmology journals and more than 200 in Turkish peer-reviewed journals, which have been cited over 3,400 times. I have delivered more than 250 presentations and over 30 conference and panel talks internationally. I served as editor for all three editions of the Turkish ophthalmology book Temel Oftalmoloji, contributed 12 book chapters, and acted as translation editor for 9 English books. I am on the editorial board of the Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology and serve as a reviewer for 12 international ophthalmology journals.
My specialties include Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases, Cataract, Glaucoma, Refractive Surgery, Dry Eye, Keratoconus, Immunological Eye Diseases, Uveitis, and Behçet’s Disease. My surgical experience includes over 15,000 cataract surgeries (including multifocal and toric intraocular lenses), femtosecond-assisted cataract surgery, over 1,000 keratoplasties (corneal transplants), complex glaucoma surgeries, corneal cross-linking for keratoconus, limbal transplants, and glue-assisted pterygium surgeries.
With over 30 years of domestic and international experience in cataract surgery, specialized intraocular lenses, and corneal diseases and surgery, I have been seeing patients since February 2020 at my private practice located in Maidan İş Merkezi, Ankara Çankaya.
2. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Aktaş
I was born in 1978 in Ankara. Between 1995 and 2001, I completed my medical education at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine and started working as a research assistant at the Department of Ophthalmology in the same faculty that year.
After completing my training, I finished my ophthalmology specialty in April 2006 with a thesis titled “Apoptosis in Retina and Optic Nerve in the Endothelin-1 Ischemia Model and the Neuroprotective Effect of Brimonidine.” I then completed my mandatory service in Kızılcahamam from 2006 to 2008. Between 2009 and 2010, I worked in the private sector. In 2009, I spent one month at the Glaucoma Department of New York Eye and Ear Infirmary as a clinical observer with Prof. Dr. Robert Ritch. In 2010, I began working as a lecturer in the glaucoma unit at the Department of Ophthalmology, Gazi University, where I completed my specialty, focusing extensively on glaucoma research thereafter.
Between 2013 and 2014, I worked at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, glaucoma unit, on a project titled “Effects of Proteasome Inhibition on Lentiviral Vector Transduction in the Aqueous Outflow System of Monkeys” with TÜBİTAK funding, collaborating with Prof. Dr. Paul L. Kaufman on various gene therapy studies for glaucoma. During this period, I participated in clinical activities and laboratory research at the same clinic.
Upon returning to the Department of Ophthalmology at Gazi University, my studies from Wisconsin, including “Effects of Proteasome Inhibition on Lentiviral Vector Transduction in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells and Monkey Anterior Segment Organ Culture: A New Approach in Glaucoma Gene Therapy” and “A New Gene Therapy Method in Glaucoma: Canaloplasty,” were awarded first place for best oral and poster presentations by the Turkish Ophthalmology Society.
In 2014, I was promoted to Assistant Professor, and in 2015, I successfully passed the Associate Professorship examination. In 2015, I passed the European Board of Ophthalmology exam in Paris and earned the title “Fellow of European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO).” In 2016, I was selected by the Turkish Ophthalmology Society for the European Leadership Development Program (EuLDP) Turkey representative and completed modules in Austria, the USA, and Europe. In 2020, I was awarded the title Fellow of Glaucoma Surgery (FGS) by the International Society of Glaucoma Surgery, of which I am a member.
Primarily focusing on glaucoma, I have published over 50 scientific papers in international journals and more than 40 in national journals. I have presented over 40 papers at international congresses and over 100 papers at national congresses. I have served as an invited speaker or official at more than 60 national and international meetings and participated in numerous live surgical demonstrations and courses.
I am an active member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Society (TOD), the Glaucoma Unit of the Turkish Ophthalmology Society, the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and the International Society of Glaucoma Surgery (ISGS), where I also serve on the Associate Advisory Board.
I currently provide services at my private clinic located in Ankara Yenimahalle.
3. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yasin Şakir Göker
I was born in 1984 in Ankara. I completed my high school education at Kuleli Military High School. I completed the first five years of my medical education between 2003 and 2008 at Gülhane Military Medical Academy.
During the 6th year of my medical education, my internship, I trained at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine and graduated in 2009. While fulfilling my compulsory service at Ankara Gölbaşı Ertuğrul Gazi Health Center, I ranked 37th in the national medical specialty exam and started my ophthalmology residency at SB. Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital.
Between 2010 and 2014, I completed my specialty training with a thesis titled “The Effect of Perifoveal Pseudocysts on Anatomical Success in Macular Hole Surgery.” I briefly worked as an ophthalmologist at Çerkezköy State Hospital. Between 2015 and 2020, I worked as a specialist at another prominent Turkish eye hospital, SB. Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, where I earned the title of Associate Professor of Ophthalmology in 2020. From 2020 to 2022, I worked at Ankara Dünya Eye Hospital. During my residency at Beyoğlu Eye Hospital, I examined thousands of patients and received training in numerous refractive procedures, including Clear Lens Surgery, PRK – Trans-PRK (No Touch) Laser, Femtosecond Laser with Flap Surgery (LASIK), Third Generation Laser Treatment (SMILE), Phakic intraocular lens implantation, and secondary intraocular lens implantation.
Starting in 2016, I worked as a Retina specialist at Ulucanlar Eye Hospital, performing numerous vitreoretinal surgeries such as retinal detachment surgery, macular hole and epiretinal membrane surgery, and vitreous hemorrhage procedures. During this period, I examined and treated thousands of retinal patients. In 2018, I trained at the Venice Ophthalmology Summer School under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Edoardo Midena. I have published numerous scientific studies in national and international journals.
In 2022, I established my own clinic in Ankara Yenimahalle, where I continue to practice and serve patients.
4. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akman
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akman graduated from TED Ankara College in 1985 and received his Medical Doctor degree from Hacettepe University English Faculty of Medicine in 1991. He completed his Ophthalmology specialty training at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology in 1995.
He has served at the Department of Ophthalmology at Başkent University Faculty of Medicine since its establishment, earning the title of Associate Professor in 2000 and Professor of Ophthalmology in 2007. He conducted glaucoma studies at Duke University in North Carolina, USA.
In 2018, after 23 years at Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, he left to open his private clinic, where he could dedicate more time to patients and provide higher quality services.
Over his 30-year career, he has examined over 200,000 patients and performed more than 40,000 surgeries in cataract and glaucoma operations. With 25 years of experience in cataract and glaucoma surgery, he has published over 200 national and international articles, authored the international book OCT in Glaucoma, and regularly conducts OCT courses at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
He currently serves patients at his private clinic in Ankara Çankaya.
5. Dr. Veysel Öztürk, MD
Dr. Veysel Öztürk was born in 1977 in Ankara. He completed his medical education at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine and his specialty training at Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology.
He is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmology Association and the Ankara Medical Chamber.
He currently provides services at the Ankara Çankaya branch of Veni Vidi Eye Hospital.
