Prof. Özlem Şahin, MD

Prof. Özlem Şahin, MD is an ophthalmologist at Acibadem Dr. Sinasi Can (Kadikoy) Hospital in İstanbul, where she sees patients through the Ophthalmology unit with a subspecialty focus on neuro-ophthalmology. Her clinical interests span retinal conditions, cataract, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, laser eye applications and vitreoretinal surgery. She has more than 28 years of experience in medicine.

Dr. Şahin graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 1998 and completed her ophthalmology training at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 2002. In 2013, she became a professor in the Department of Ophthalmology within the Department of Surgical Medical Sciences at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine. She has been with Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 2026.

Clinical focus

A substantial part of Dr. Şahin’s work concerns diseases of the retina. She evaluates and treats patients with retinal tears and retinal detachment, macular degeneration and other retinal diseases. Where surgery is considered appropriate, her practice includes vitrectomy, and she also performs laser eye applications. The choice between observation, laser treatment and surgical intervention depends on the findings of the examination and the individual patient’s situation, and is discussed with the patient after assessment.

Dr. Şahin also manages glaucoma and cataract, including intraocular lens procedures. Within her subspecialty of neuro-ophthalmology, she assesses visual problems that arise from disorders affecting the optic nerve and the visual pathways rather than the eye alone, which may require coordination with other specialties. Her listed areas of expertise further include colour blindness and ocular stem cell treatment. As with all of the conditions she treats, the suitability of any particular approach is determined case by case following a clinical evaluation.

How Dr. Şahin works with international patients

Dr. Şahin 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, such as MRI, CT, X-ray or ultrasound reports, laboratory and pathology results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit itself. A first consultation with Dr. Şahin typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous eye treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the available options. For patients who are not yet able to travel, a video consultation for international patients is available, which can be a way to review the case and discuss next steps before any decision about in-person assessment or treatment is made.