Nezih Özdemir, MD

Nezih Özdemir, MD is an ophthalmologist who sees patients at Acibadem Maslak Hospital and Acibadem International Hospital in İstanbul. His subspecialty interest is neuro-ophthalmology, and his clinical work spans cataracts, refractive errors, glaucoma, retinal tears and detachment, macular degeneration, and eyelid ptosis. He has more than 49 years in medicine.

Dr. Özdemir studied at İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine from 1977 to 1983 and completed his ophthalmology training at İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 1994. He worked as an ophthalmologist at Hopital Pitie-Salpetriere from 1991 to 1993 and at Alman Hospital from 1994 to 1995, and he has been with Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 2007. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the International Society of Ocular Inflammation, and the European Society of Catarcat and Refractive Surgery. His published and presented work includes studies on Birdshot retinochoroidopathy, laser flare photometry in Behçet’s uveitis and other posterior uveitis, ocular toxoplasmosis, scleral thickness measurements with optical coherence tomography in rheumatoid disease, and cataract removal with intraocular lens implantation in uveitis patients, with contributions to the American Journal of Ophthalmology and to congresses of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the Société Française d’Ophtalmologie.

Clinical focus

A large part of Dr. Özdemir’s practice concerns the lens and the refractive state of the eye. He evaluates and treats cataracts and discusses intraocular lens options, including smart lenses, where these are appropriate for the individual patient. He also assesses refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, and manages glaucoma, which requires monitoring of eye pressure and the optic nerve over time.

His retinal work covers retinal tears, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration. In neuro-ophthalmology, he sees patients whose visual symptoms may relate to the optic nerve or the visual pathways rather than to the eye itself, and he also evaluates eyelid ptosis. Treatment planning in each of these areas depends on the findings of the examination and on the patient’s overall health and expectations.

How Dr. Özdemir works with international patients

Dr. Özdemir consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for other languages. Before a visit, the international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as 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 visual symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical eye examination, and a discussion of the possible options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation before traveling.