Professional Experience
He has held integral clinical and teaching roles at top institutions in the region:
- 2015–2023: Consultant ophthalmologist at Kocaeli Derince Training & Research Hospital, handling complex cases in retina, cataract, corneal surgery, refractive errors and ocular tumours.
- 2023–present: Assistant Professor and Consultant Ophthalmologist at Medipol University Pendik Hospital, directing the retina and anterior segment services, supervising junior surgeons and participating in hospital governance.
- Procedural volume: Thousands of intravitreal injections, cataract surgeries, corneal transplants, laser-based refractive procedures and retinal detachments repaired.
Academic Contributions
- Faculty appointment in Department of Ophthalmology at Medipol University Medical Faculty.
- Executive instructor for ophthalmology residents and medical students during ocular surgery rotations.
- Leads tutorials and grand rounds on diabetic macular edema, retinal detachment repair, femtosecond-assisted cataract implantation, and toric / EDOF / trifocal premium IOLs.
- Speaker at national and international ophthalmology symposiums; active participant in continuing medical education (CME) programmes.
Areas of Expertise
- Diabetic macular edema & retinal disorders: Manages DME with anti‑VEGF injections, laser photocoagulation, and vitrectomy for detachment, macular holes or epiretinal membranes.
- Premium cataract surgery: Femtosecond‑assisted phacoemulsification with customizable intraocular lenses, including multifocal, toric, EDOF and toric-trifocal types for functional visual rehabilitation.
- Corneal interventions: Cross‑linking for keratoconus; lamellar or full-thickness keratoplasty for corneal scars or dystrophy.
- Refractive laser vision correction: LASIK, LASEK, SmartSight and IntraLase surface ablation techniques tailored per patient.
- Pediatric retina care: Includes treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), amblyopia and congenital retinal anomalies from fellowship training.
- Ocular oncology & neuro‑ophthalmology: Surgical and clinical management of benign and malignant eyelid or orbital tumours; neuro‑visual assessment and second opinions.
Publications and Research
Dr. Yayla has published in SCI‑Expanded journals on outcomes of retinal disease treatment and ocular surgery:
Real-World Outcomes of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema in Türkiye: MARMASIA Study Group Report No. 1 (2023). Multicentre observational study with >1,300 treated eyes showing consistent visual and anatomical improvement.
One-Year Functional and Morphological Prognosis After Intravitreal Injection Treatments According to Different Morphological Patterns of Diabetic Macular Edema (MARMASIA Report No. 13) (Seminars in Ophthalmology, 2024). Features how OCT subtypes predict treatment response.
Palpebral Tarsal Solitary Neurofibroma (Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology, 2019). Case-report on rare eyelid tumour removal; highlights planning and outcome monitoring.
Patient Care Philosophy
- Communicates in clear, non‑technical language to ensure patients understand their eye conditions and treatment options.
- Prioritizes shared decision-making and takes into account each patient’s lifestyle goals and recovery preferences.
- Offers international patients seamless remote care planning: secure online review of imaging, pre-consultation support in English, travel guidance and follow‑up telemedicine options.
- Tailors postoperative care plans and maintains long-term follow-up—many patients highlight precision of surgery and dedication to visual recovery.
Professional Affiliations
- Licensed Ophthalmology Specialist by Turkish Ministry of Health (dr. diploma awarded in 2015).
- Faculty member (Assistant Professor) at Medipol University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology.
- Completed retina subspecialty fellowships in ROP and vitreoretinal surgery at SBÜ and Gazi University.
- Affiliated with Medipol University Pendik Hospital, a **JCI‑accredited** academic medical centre.
FAQs
- Is Dr. Uğur Yayla board‑certified?
- Yes. He completed the national ophthalmology residency in Turkey (Uludağ University, 2015) and holds specialist certification recognized by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
- What types of surgeries does he perform?
- He offers premium cataract surgery, laser refractive procedures, vitreoretinal surgery (including retinal detachment, macular edema and diabetic retinopathy), corneal grafting, pediatric retinal interventions and ocular tumour removal.
- Does he treat international patients?
- Yes. As part of Medipol Global services, he provides secure remote consultations and scan review, coordinating treatment plans and appointments in English to prepare patients for their hospital stay.
- How long is the typical hospital stay?
- Most cataract and laser cases are completed as same‑day or 1‑night stays. Complex retina or corneal transplant surgeries often require 1–2 nights depending on clinical situation.
- What languages does he speak?
- Dr. Yayla is fluent in Turkish and proficient in English for patient evaluation, counselling, and coordination.
- How effective is his diabetic macular edema treatment?
- He was a key contributor to the MARMASIA Group studies that show significant visual and anatomic gains in real-world treatment settings, using anti-VEGF and OCT-guided protocols.
- What lens options does he offer for cataract surgery?
- He implants customizable premium lenses: multifocal, toric, EDOF or toric-trifocal, tailored to individual vision needs such as reading, distance and astigmatism correction.
