Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Turchia, Istanbul
Dr. Yasar Dag is an ophthalmologist at VM Medical Park Florya Hospital in Istanbul. He specializes in cataract surgery, corneal diseases, and strabismus. Dr. Dag previously served as a specialist at Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital. He is a member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association.
Op. Dr. Alasgar Asgarli, MD, is an ophthalmologist. He focuses on cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, medical retinal diseases, and pediatric eye care. He performs oculoplastic eyelid surgery and ocular trauma surgery. His skills include intravitreal injections, pterygium excision, and neuro-ophthalmology. He also has experience with advanced intraocular lens fixation, including scleral fixation and the Yamane technique.
Achievements and accreditations: Active member of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association (TOD). Presenter at the TOD 59th National Congress. Attended the TOD 58th National Congress. Completed the TOD Fundus Fluorescein Angiography Course (2024). Published “Comparison of the Effects of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Acrylic Intraocular Lenses on Lenticular Astigmatism” (DOI: 10.37844/TJ-CEO.2025.20.37). Holds certification in Botox and dermal fillers.
Dr. Osman Sevki Arslan is an ophthalmologist at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. He developed three original surgical techniques, including the innovative Retrograde Glaucoma Tube Implantation. Dr. Arslan served as the founding Medical Director of the Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Eye Bank. He works at a JCI-accredited hospital that treats over 300,000 patients annually.
Dr. Ali Riza Cenk Celebi is an ophthalmologist at İstinye University Liv Hospital Topkapı. He completed a glaucoma fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Celebi authored over 50 international articles and 15 books. He ranked 11th out of all medical graduates in Turkey's specialty exam.
Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a medical emergency in Turkey requiring intervention within 8 to 12 hours. Specialist hospitals in Istanbul provide 24/7 diagnostic access. Facilities use advanced 512-slice CT scans to confirm vascular blockages immediately. Rapid treatment is essential to preserve vision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Istanbul hospitals like Memorial Göztepe and Medipol Acibadem District Hospital prioritize emergency vascular cases due to their JCI accreditation requirements. These facilities operate nearly 40 specialized departments in a single building. This structure allows for immediate cross-departmental consultation between neurologists and ophthalmologists. Such integration is vital because eye strokes often signal broader cardiovascular risks.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that sudden painless vision loss requires a direct trip to an emergency room rather than waiting for a standard clinic appointment. They note that having a companion helps ensure immediate evaluation in busy urban medical centers.
Turkish ophthalmology centers provide emergency treatments for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Specialized clinics in Istanbul offer vitreoretinal surgery, laser photocoagulation, and medical retina protocols. JCI-accredited facilities manage these cases using multidisciplinary vascular emergency teams and advanced retinal imaging.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Retinal artery occlusion is treated as a vascular emergency in major Istanbul hospitals. Dr. Osman Murat Uyar at Liv Hospital Ulus specifically focuses on retinal vascular diseases. Choosing a facility with both an ophthalmology department and a hyperbaric center is crucial for survival of vision. University-affiliated hospitals often provide these integrated services in one location.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding a hospital with an immediate emergency protocol for vascular eye issues. Many note that having exact documentation of symptom timing determines which treatments are offered.
Turkish centers like Liv Hospital Ulus specialize in retinal artery occlusion through dedicated vitreoretinal departments. These facilities provide emergency interventions like intravitreal injections and laser photocoagulation. Diagnosis relies on advanced imaging including Spectral Domain OCT and Fluorescein Angiography to restore blood flow immediately.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many seek famous clinics, the best outcome for occlusion depends on specific imaging equipment like OCTA. Liv Hospital Ulus stands out because their specialists, like Dr. Osman Murat Uyar, specifically list retinal artery occlusion as a primary expertise. This is rare and superior to general ophthalmology clinics that focus mainly on cataract or laser eye surgery.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that for this condition, you must prioritize hospitals with 24/7 emergency retina departments over smaller private clinics. Speed is more important than the clinic's brand or local popularity.
Treatment for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion in Turkey carries manageable risks primarily related to time-sensitive interventions. Direct procedural risks include infection, bleeding, or intraocular pressure changes. Specialized Turkish centers utilize JCI-accredited protocols to minimize these complications while prioritizing urgent retinal perfusion.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many search for specific technologies, the surgeon’s academic background is the strongest quality signal in Turkey. Dr. Osman Sevki Arslan, for example, is a European Board of Ophthalmology examiner. Choosing a doctor with international board-testing experience ensures your treatment follows the most current safety protocols.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that speed is everything with CRAO. Many worry about clear communication before emergency procedures and prioritize clinics with robust follow-up care for international visitors.
Patients should bring all previous ocular imaging including OCT scans and angiography. Clinical notes with the exact time of vision loss are vital for emergency evaluation. You need a valid passport, visa, and any current medications for systemic conditions like hypertension or atrial fibrillation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many focus on eye clinics, the high volume of cardiovascular and neurology departments at centers like Memorial Goztepe Hospital is a major advantage. Central Retinal Artery Occlusion often indicates underlying vascular issues. Choosing a multidisciplinary hospital ensures you get faster referrals for mandatory stroke screenings without leaving the facility.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing a companion because dilating drops make it difficult to navigate clinics alone. Many wish they had known that immediate treatment often focuses on preventing future strokes rather than fully restoring lost vision.
Turkey treats central retinal artery occlusion as a neurological emergency. Highly specialised Istanbul clinics use hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ocular hypotension drugs. Rapid diagnosis involves 512-slice CT and 3 Tesla MRI. Multi-disciplinary teams of ophthalmologists and neurologists aim to restore blood flow within 6 to 12 hours.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Many centres offer basic eye care. Patients should prioritise facilities with 3 Tesla MRI and established stroke protocols. Memorial Göztepe Hospital provides these technologies. These tools allow specialists to confirm blockages in minutes. This is vital for saving vision during the 6-hour critical window.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that rapid diagnosis is vital because vision loss often becomes permanent very quickly. Experience shows that interventions like hyperbaric oxygen in Turkey may provide initial improvement. This occurs during the recovery phase.
Central retinal artery occlusion requires emergency treatment within 4 to 6 hours to prevent permanent vision loss. Turkish hospitals provide 24/7 specialist intervention using imaging and therapies. Because this is a medical emergency, patients must seek the nearest emergency department immediately rather than arranging travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ophthalmology centres provide a significant advantage for complex retinal cases. Prof. Dr Osman Sevki Arslan at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital treats over 300,000 patients annually. His experience with original surgical techniques is critical. High-volume centres like this manage more vascular eye emergencies than many smaller regional hospitals.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that sudden vision loss requires immediate action at the nearest hospital. In Turkey, they find that clinics are well-equipped with diagnostic tools like OCT to confirm blockages quickly.
Turkish specialists achieve a 54% response rate for non-arteritic cases when treatment starts within 12 hours. The condition is a severe emergency. However, specific protocols at centres like Bursa and Istanbul improve the outlook. Quick intervention with hyperbaric oxygen therapy is vital for success.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ophthalmology stands out due to the high number of JCI-accredited facilities with on-site hyperbaric units. Professors like Dr Ali Riza Cenk Celebi hold fellowships from Harvard, so protocols match top international standards. Patients benefit from this academic depth, as these specialists often lead research into retinal vascular diseases.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasise that time is critical because damage becomes irreversible very quickly in Turkey. Most note that while hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps, the 2-hour window is essential for the best results.
Turkey offers advanced emergency retinal care in JCI-accredited facilities through specialists like Prof. Dr Osman Sevki Arslan. Treatment focuses on rapid intervention. It includes intravitreal injections, Pars Plana Vitrectomy, and multidisciplinary management. This involves neurologists and cardiologists to address systemic causes of eye strokes.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many clinics offer eye care, Turkish centres like Memorial Göztepe integrate 39 different departments. This multidisciplinary structure is vital for retinal artery occlusion. Specialists like Prof. Dr Ali Riza Cenk Celebi hold a Harvard fellowship. They can coordinate with cardiologists to manage underlying stroke risks effectively.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that immediate emergency care at a major hospital is the only way to save vision. Specialist retina units in Istanbul are highly regarded. They manage complex vascular cases and provide thorough follow-up scans.