Prof. Dr. Semra Akkaya Turhan

Prof. Dr. Semra Akkaya Turhan is an ophthalmologist at Acibadem Altunizade Hospital in İstanbul, where she works in the Ophthalmology unit with a subspecialty focus on neuro-ophthalmology. Her clinical work covers cataract and smart lens procedures, keratoconus, corneal transplantation, glaucoma, macular degeneration, astigmatism, pediatric ophthalmology, amblyopia, ocular migraine, stem cell applications and neuro-ophthalmic conditions. She has more than 17 years of experience in medicine and consults in Turkish and English.

Dr. Turhan graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 2009 and completed her specialty training in ophthalmology at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 2014. In 2020 she was appointed Doctor Faculty Member and Associate Professor Doctor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, and she joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2025. Her published research includes studies on in vivo corneal confocal microscopy as a non-invasive test in conditions such as multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and obesity-related small fibre nerve damage; a comparison of conventional and accelerated corneal crosslinking; mini-scleral lens wear in patients with keratoconus; the Turkish version of the 5-item Dry Eye Questionnaire; corneal nerve and dry eye parameters after blepharoplasty; and 3D bioprinting of symblepharon rings for ocular tissue engineering.

Clinical focus

A large part of Dr. Turhan’s practice concerns the front of the eye. She evaluates and treats cataract, including smart lens procedures, and manages keratoconus, corneal transplantation and astigmatism. Her research interest in corneal nerve imaging and corneal crosslinking is closely connected to this area of care. She also sees patients with glaucoma and macular degeneration, and her areas of expertise include stem cell applications.

In neuro-ophthalmology, Dr. Turhan assesses visual symptoms that may be related to the optic nerve, the visual pathways or neurological disease, including ocular migraine. Her pediatric ophthalmology work includes the evaluation of children’s eye conditions and amblyopia. The appropriate approach in each case depends on the findings of the examination and on the patient’s history, and options are discussed individually.

How Dr. Turhan works with international patients

Dr. Turhan consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before the visit, the international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as previous eye examination records, MRI or CT 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 possible options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation before travelling or to follow up afterwards.