Prof. Haluk Esgin, MD

Prof. Haluk Esgin, MD is an ophthalmologist at Acibadem Taksim Hospital in İstanbul, where he works in the Ophthalmology unit with a subspecialty focus on neuro-ophthalmology. His clinical practice covers the medical and surgical care of retinal disease, including vitreoretinal surgery, as well as uveitis, glaucoma, cataract and pediatric eye conditions. He has more than 40 years in medicine and joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2015.

Dr. Esgin graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1986 and completed his specialty training in ophthalmology at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine in 1994. He worked in ophthalmology at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine from 1989 to 2013, was appointed Associate Professor in 2002 and Professor in 2007, and served as Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine from 2013 to 2015. He is a member of Euretina, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Türk Oftalmoloji Association and the European Vitreoretinal Society. His published work includes studies on macular function after repair of macula-off retinal detachments, fluorescein angiographic findings in intermediate uveitis, long-term macular function in central serous chorioretinopathy, and the effect of systemic hypertension on pulsatile ocular blood flow in diabetic patients.

Clinical focus

A large part of Dr. Esgin’s work concerns diseases of the retina. He assesses and treats retinal tears and retinal detachment, macular degeneration and retinopathy, and performs vitreoretinal surgery where it is indicated. He also manages uveitis, an inflammatory condition that can involve the retina and other structures inside the eye. Because a retinal condition may be managed medically, with laser, or surgically, the appropriate approach depends on the findings of a detailed examination and imaging, and is discussed with each patient individually.

Beyond the retina, Dr. Esgin’s areas of expertise include neuro-ophthalmology, which addresses visual problems arising from the optic nerve and the visual pathways, glaucoma, cataract and pediatric eye conditions. Patients whose eye problems involve more than one of these areas, for example glaucoma or cataract alongside retinal disease, can be evaluated with these overlapping needs in mind.

How Dr. Esgin works with international patients

Dr. Esgin consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. The Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging before the visit, arranges appointments and organizes the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the available options. For patients who are not yet able to travel, a video consultation can be arranged as an initial step; a full ophthalmic examination and imaging are still needed in person before any treatment decision is made.