Prof. Müslime Akbaba, MD

Prof. Müslime Akbaba, MD is an ophthalmologist at Acibadem Altunizade Hospital in İstanbul, where she works in the Ophthalmology unit. Her clinical work covers eyelid disorders, dry and watery eyes, tear duct obstruction, thyroid eye disease, paediatric eye diseases, refractive errors and tumours of the eyelid and orbit. She has more than 51 years in medicine.

Dr. Akbaba attended Ankara Kız High School and studied medicine at Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine from 1975 to 1982. Between 1982 and 1984 she worked at Çorum Verem Savaş Dispanseri before beginning specialty training in ophthalmology at Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, which she completed in 1987. She remained at Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine / Department of Ophthalmology from 1984 to 2006 and, in 1990, completed a fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. She joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2007. She is a member of the Türk Oftalmoloji Association, the Turkish Ophthalmology Association Ocular Oncology Unit, the Turkish Ophthalmology Association Oculoplastic Surgery Unit, the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Turkish Medical Association. Her selected publications address topics such as congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children, external dacryocystorhinostomy, correction of lagophthalmos in facial paralysis, congenital ptosis, orbital and preseptal cellulitis, and eyelid margin disorders.

Clinical focus

A large part of Dr. Akbaba’s practice concerns the eyelids and the tissues around the eye. She assesses and treats stye, blepharitis and ptosis, as well as eyelid and orbital tumours. She also sees patients with thyroid eye disease, in which the eyelids, orbital tissues and eye movements may be affected, and patients with dry eye or watery eyes, including cases related to tear duct obstruction. Assessment in these conditions typically involves a careful clinical examination of the eyelids, ocular surface and tear drainage system so that the underlying cause can be identified before treatment is discussed.

Dr. Akbaba also cares for children with paediatric eye diseases, including congenital eyelid and tear duct problems. In addition, she evaluates refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, and allergic eye disease. The choice of management depends on the individual findings, the patient’s age and general health, and is discussed with the patient or family after examination.

How Dr. Akbaba works with international patients

Dr. Akbaba consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for other languages. Before a visit, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as previous eye examination findings, MRI or CT reports, laboratory and pathology 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 examination of the eyes and eyelids, and a discussion of the available options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their case before travelling.