TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Prof. Dr. Rıfat Rasier
Prof. Dr. Rıfat Rasier graduated as the second-ranked student from Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 2004. During his medical education and ophthalmology residency, he spent time in the United States at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, in Germany at Städtisches Klinikum Kemperhof Koblenz, and in the United Kingdom at The Western Eye Hospital, Imperial College.
In 2007, he obtained equivalency from the UK General Medical Council and earned the right to practice medicine in the United Kingdom with Full Medical Registration. Alongside his ophthalmology training, he completed a master’s program in Biomedical Engineering at Boğaziçi University in 2009.
Continuing his professional development without slowing down, Rasier completed his ophthalmology residency at Bilim University in 2010. In 2012, he fulfilled his compulsory service at Kırklareli State Hospital. In 2016, he was awarded the title of Associate Professor in the field of Ophthalmology.
In 2017, he completed his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Boğaziçi University with a GPA of 4.0. As a result of his research at the Boğaziçi University Biomedical Engineering laboratory, Rıfat Rasier developed a technique that enables the incisions made in the cornea during cataract surgery to be sealed using laser welding at the end of the operation, allowing the surgical incision to be closed effectively.
In current cataract procedures, incisions are either left self-sealing or closed with sutures. Through laser tissue welding experiments, successful results were achieved in closing cataract surgery incisions using laser technology without the need for stitches. With this system, tissue can be welded and sealed from a distance of 2 millimeters without direct contact, using a specific wavelength. The incision is closed with laser assistance without the need for sutures, reducing the risk of infection and shortening the duration of the operation.
This work by Rıfat Rasier was published internationally as a book titled “Infrared Lasers for Corneal Tissue Welding.”
He is currently providing medical services to his patients at his private clinic in Istanbul Şişli Nişantaşı.
2. Dr. Sezer Hacıağaoğlu, MD
Op. Dr. Sezer Hacıağaoğlu graduated from Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine in 2012. In 2013, he began his ophthalmology residency at Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital and successfully completed his specialization with a thesis titled “The Effects of Standard and Accelerated Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking Treatment on Corneal Epithelial Thickness and Subbasal Nerve Morphology in Patients with Keratoconus.”
In 2022, he successfully passed the international examination held in Paris and was awarded the title of Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO). Previously, he worked at Sultan Abdülhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Medipol University Çamlıca Hospital, Medipol Mega University Hospital, and Dünyagöz Ataşehir Hospital.
Having numerous national and international publications and presentations in his field, Hacıağaoğlu continues his academic career as a faculty member at the Department of Ophthalmology, Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Medicine. He is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association (TOD), International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS), European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), and European Dry Eye Society (EuDES).
His main areas of interest include cataract and refractive surgery, laser surgeries, keratoconus and corneal diseases, dry eye, and ocular surface diseases.
He is currently providing medical services to his patients at Dünyagöz Etiler Hospital in Istanbul Beşiktaş.
3. Dr. Leyla Kandur, MD
She was born in Istanbul in 1965. In 1983, she graduated with high honors from American Robert College. In 1989, she graduated from Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine and completed her ophthalmology residency at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 1993.
She completed her master’s degree at the Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute in the United States. Between 1993 and 1997, she specialized in cataract, cornea, and laser surgery at the University of California, becoming an eye laser surgeon.
She represented the University of California at numerous international congresses and published her work in highly respected journals. She also contributed to the training of many ophthalmologists and researchers. In 1997, she was awarded as the best young researcher by Bausch & Lomb. Later, due to her research and medical achievements, she was accepted into the exclusive EyeSTAR Program at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
In 1997, Dr. Leyla Kandur founded the EyeSTAR LASIK Institute in Istanbul and, thanks to her outstanding surgical results, became one of the most preferred surgeons worldwide within a few years. She worked at this institute until 2005.
She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (CLAO), Turkish Medical Association (TTB), Istanbul Medical Chamber (ITO), and Turkish Ophthalmological Association (TOD). She is fluent in English and German.
She is currently providing medical services to her patients at Liv Hospital Ulus in Istanbul Beşiktaş.
4. Dr. Yıldız Acar Ebcim, MD
Between 2003 and 2009, he studied at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. In 2011, he began his residency at Istanbul Training and Research Hospital and earned the title of Ophthalmology Specialist in 2015.
During his residency years, he participated in numerous surgeries and attended many courses and congresses. He successfully passed the International Council of Ophthalmology examination. Between 2015 and 2017, he completed his compulsory service at Rize State Hospital.
Since 2022, he has been providing medical services to his patients at his private clinic in Istanbul Kadıköy.
5. Dr. Ali Nihat Ofluoğlu, MD
He graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 1986. Between 1992 and 1996, he completed his specialization in “Ophthalmology and Eye Surgery” at the University of Vienna, Austria.
He obtained equivalency from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine. Between 1997 and 2014, he served as the director of the ophthalmology clinic at Taksim German Hospital. In addition, he worked as a lecturer at the ophthalmology clinic of Istanbul Yeni Yüzyıl University between 2014 and 2018.
Since 2014, he has been providing medical services to his patients at his private clinic in Istanbul Şişli Nişantaşı.
6. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Berkay Akmaz
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Dr. Berkay Akmaz, was born in İzmir in 1985. Due to his father’s profession, he spent his primary education years in different cities. He began his medical education at Gülhane Military Medical Academy in 2003 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 2010.
In 2010, he ranked 25th in Turkey in the Medical Specialty Examination (TUS) and began his residency in the Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Surgery at Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital. He completed his specialization training in 2014.
Between 2014 and 2019, he worked as an ophthalmology specialist at Katip Çelebi University Atatürk Training and Research Hospital. In 2019, he participated in the “Vitreoretinal Surgery Techniques Training Mini-Fellowship Program” in Germany. Between 2019 and 2021, he continued his work at Manisa City Hospital.
In 2021, after successfully passing the Chief Assistant examination, he was appointed as Chief Assistant at the Ophthalmology Clinic of İzmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital. In the same year, he was awarded the title of Associate Professor in Ophthalmology and Eye Surgery by the Council of Higher Education.
He was awarded a TÜBİTAK postdoctoral research fellowship and conducted scientific research for one year as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Cornea, Cataract, Ocular Surface, and Refractive Surgery unit at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University Hospital, one of the most advanced research hospitals in ophthalmology and eye surgery in the United States. During this period, he participated in numerous surgical and clinical practices.
In 2017, he successfully passed the European Board examination held in Paris and earned the European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma and the FEBO title.
In 2017, he successfully passed the International Council of Ophthalmology examinations in Optics and Refraction, Basic Sciences, and Clinical Sciences.
In 2018, he successfully passed the advanced International Council of Ophthalmology examination and earned the FICO (Fellow of International Council of Ophthalmology) title.
He has authored, translated, and edited more than 40 scientific articles, book chapters, and publications in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Throughout his professional career, he has performed thousands of surgeries and continues to provide care to his patients using the highest quality equipment and technology.
Certificates and Titles
International Council of Ophthalmology Optics and Refraction Certificate – 2017
International Council of Ophthalmology Basic Sciences Certificate – 2017
International Council of Ophthalmology Clinical Sciences Certificate – 2017
European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma and FEBO Title – 2017
(Consilium Europaeum Ophthalmologiae Diploma in Ophthalmologia)
(Fellow of European Board of Ophthalmology)
International Council of Ophthalmology Advanced Certificate and FICO Title – 2018
(Fellow of International Council of Ophthalmology)
Associate Professorship Certificate – 2021
He is currently providing medical services to his patients at his private clinic in İzmir Alsancak.
7. Dr. Ferşat Muhacir, MD
Dr. Ferşat Muhacir was born in Iran in 1967. After completing his primary and secondary education in Ankara, he enrolled in Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine in 1986 and graduated in 1992. In 1993, he began working as a resident at the Ophthalmology Clinic of 19 Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine. After receiving additional training for 6 months at Gazi University Ophthalmology Clinic in 1996, he earned his specialization in Ophthalmology in 1997.
Following his specialization, he went to the United States and worked as an observer at UCSF (University of California, San Francisco). In 1998, after briefly working as a specialist at Burdur SSK Hospital, he was appointed as an Ophthalmology Specialist at Bucak State Hospital. In 2002, he visited the Netherlands and Austria, where he had the opportunity to work on modern cataract surgery techniques.
Dr. Ferşat Muhacir is a member of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO).
In July 2006, he began working as a full-time ophthalmologist at Private Lider Hospital, of which he was a founding partner, and continued until October 2009. Between November 2009 and April 2010, he worked at Private Anamas Şelale Medical Center in Antalya, and briefly at Private BSK Lara Hospital between May and June 2010.
Between 2010 and 2020, Dr. Ferşat Muhacir worked for a total of 10 years at the Ophthalmology Clinic of Private Antalya Anadolu Hospital.
In April 2009, he successfully passed the ICO (International Council of Ophthalmology Clinical Assessment) exam. On May 8–9, 2009, he successfully passed both the written and oral European Board of Ophthalmology exams held in Paris and was awarded the European Union Ophthalmology Specialist Diploma and the FEBO title.
With more than 12,000 surgical procedures, Dr. Ferşat Muhacir is particularly specialized in phaco cataract surgery, trifocal (smart lenses for near, intermediate, and distance vision) and toric (astigmatism-correcting intraocular lenses) refractive lens surgery, laser, stent, and surgical treatment methods for glaucoma, grafted pterygium surgery, other anterior segment surgeries, and medical retina diseases (such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal vascular occlusions).
He is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, Turkish Ophthalmological Association, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
As of July 1, 2020, he continues to provide medical services to his patients at his own private eye clinic in Antalya Muratpaşa.
8. Prof. Dr. Yonca Aydın Akova
I graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 1983. I completed my specialization in Ophthalmology between 1985 and 1990 at the Department of Ophthalmology of the same faculty. Between 1988 and 1989, I worked for one year in the Cornea Department at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, United Kingdom.
After my specialization, I received advanced training in the United States: between 1991 and 1992 at the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Department of the Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute, and between 1992 and 1993 at Harvard University, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, focusing on immunological eye diseases and uveitis.
Between 1990 and 1997, I worked in the Cornea Department at Ankara Training and Research Hospital. In 1994, I became an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology. From 1997 to 2012, I served as a faculty member at the Department of Ophthalmology, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine.
In 2000, I was awarded the title of Professor. Between 2003 and 2011, I served as the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the same institution.
I received the TÜBİTAK International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in 1991–1992, the Eczacıbaşı Research Award in 1995, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology “Achievement Award” in 2011. Between 2012 and 2015, I served as an examiner for the European Board of Ophthalmology exams, and in 2015, I was awarded the title of Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO).
I am currently an active member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association’s Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit, Cornea and Ocular Surface Unit, and Uvea and Behçet’s Disease Unit.
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 more than 170 publications in international ophthalmology journals and over 200 publications in Turkish peer-reviewed journals. My work has been cited more than 3,400 times in international publications. I have delivered over 250 presentations and more than 30 lectures and panel talks at international meetings. I served as the editor of all three editions of the comprehensive Turkish ophthalmology textbook “Temel Oftalmoloji.” I have also contributed to 12 book chapters and served as a translation editor for 9 English books. I am a member of the editorial board of the Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology and serve as a reviewer for 12 international ophthalmology journals.
My areas of expertise 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 more than 15,000 cataract surgeries (including those with multifocal and toric intraocular lenses), femtosecond-assisted cataract surgery, more than 1,000 keratoplasty (corneal transplant) procedures, complex glaucoma surgeries, cross-linking treatment for keratoconus, limbal transplantation, and pterygium surgeries using grafts and adhesives.
With over 30 years of national and international professional experience in cataract surgery, premium intraocular lenses, and corneal diseases and surgery, I have been seeing my patients at my private clinic located in the Maidan Business Center in Ankara Çankaya since February 2020.
9. Dr. Ömer Takeş, MD
Dr. Ömer Takeş graduated from Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine in 2010. He completed his specialization training at Dokuz Eylül University in 2015.
After completing his residency, he worked at İzmir Çiğli Regional Training Hospital from 2015 to 2018. He then continued his career at İzmir Private Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital until 2022.
He has more than 50 national and international publications and presentations.
Since 2022, he has been providing medical services to his patients at his private clinic in İzmir Alsancak.
10. Prof. Dr. Deniz Turgut Çoban
I completed my medical education at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine in Samsun between 1993 and 1999. Between 2000 and 2002, I worked as a general practitioner at Samsun Central No. 15 Health Center.
In 2002, I began my residency as an assistant doctor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, and completed my specialization as an Ophthalmology Specialist in 2008.
Between 2008 and 2011, I worked as an ophthalmology specialist at Samsun Gazi State Hospital. While continuing my academic studies at the same institution, I successfully passed the Ministry of Health’s chief assistant examination and was appointed to the academic staff of Antalya Training and Research Hospital, one of Turkey’s most beautiful cities.
While continuing my academic work and training residents in Antalya, I passed the Associate Professorship examination in 2016. In November 2019, I left Antalya Training and Research Hospital and continued my career by opening my private clinic, after serving in both educational and administrative roles.
I successfully passed the International and European Ophthalmology Proficiency Exams (ICO and EBO). I also received training in strabismus, oculoplastic, and facial aesthetic surgery at Boston Eye and Ear Hospital. Additionally, I graduated from the Faculty of Open Education, Department of Philosophy.
