Prof. Berna Özkan, MD

Prof. Berna Özkan, MD is an ophthalmologist at Acibadem Atasehir Hospital in İstanbul, where she works in the Ophthalmology unit. She has more than 27 years in medicine and consults in Turkish and English. Her clinical work covers cataract, refractive conditions such as myopia and hyperopia, pediatric eye diseases, eyelid conditions including blepharitis, drooping eyelids and eyelid twitching, as well as ocular migraine and ocular stem cell treatment.

Dr. Özkan graduated from İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine in 1999 and completed her specialty training at Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology in 2004. She remained at the same department for several years, first as a doctor research assistant (2000–2004), then as a specialist doctor (2004–2005) and as a lecturer (2005–2011). In 2009 she gained experience at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, and in 2017 she joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services. She is a member of the European Vitreoretinal Society, the American Society of Retina Specialists and the Türk Oftamoloji Association. Her published research includes work on the surgical closure of a giant traumatic macular hole with a retinal graft, vitreous cytokine and growth factor levels in diabetic macular edema, imaging of the optic pathways in amblyopia and thyroid orbitopathy, choroidal changes in mild Graves orbitopathy, the effect of eye trauma on mental health in children and adolescents, and plasma antiphospholipid antibody levels in age-related macular degeneration.

Clinical focus

A large part of Dr. Özkan’s practice concerns conditions that affect vision at different stages of life. She evaluates and treats cataract, and she sees patients with refractive errors, including myopia and hyperopia. She also cares for children with pediatric eye diseases, an area that requires age-appropriate examination and follow-up. Her work in this field is reflected in her publications on amblyopia and on eye trauma in children and adolescents.

Dr. Özkan additionally manages disorders of the eyelids and the ocular surface, such as blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid margins), drooping eyelids and eyelid twitching. Patients experiencing visual disturbances related to ocular migraine are assessed to distinguish this condition from other causes of temporary visual symptoms. Ocular stem cell treatment is also among her listed areas of expertise. The suitability of any treatment is decided individually after clinical examination and review of the patient’s history.

How Dr. Özkan works with international patients

Dr. Özkan consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, for example previous eye examination records, optical coherence tomography or other imaging reports, laboratory results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical eye examination and a discussion of the available options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation with Dr. Özkan before traveling.