Prof. CANAN ASLI YILDIRIM

Biography

Academic Background

Dr Yildirim was graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 2001, ranking the first in graduation. She completed her residency training in ophthalmology at Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital in 2005 and master of science degree in biomedical engineering at Bogazici University in 2006. She worked as a clinical research fellow for a full year at Johns Hopkins University, Wilmer Eye Institute, Department of Cornea, Ocular Surface Clinic in 2009. She was promoted as an associate professor of ophthalmology in 2012. She is the owner of Prof Dr Ihsan Dogramaci Award in 2001, American Academy of Ophthalmology Troutman Award and JHU Wilmer Research Grant Award in 2009, European Board of Ophthalmology Alan Ridgway Award in 2012, Prof Dr Demir Basar Award in 2013, III. Izmir Innovation Award in 2015, Turkish Academy of Sciences Outstanding Young Scientists Award in 2016. She is the co-author of more than 100 scientific papers, of which 55 are in “SCI and SCI-Expanded” indexed medical journals. Her main clinical and research topics include cornea and ocular surface diseases, corneal transplantation and keratoprosthesis, glaucoma and refractive surgery.

Clinical Practice

Dr Utine is has expertise in cataract, glaucoma and corneal transplantation surgeries, with surgical experience in more than 10,000 cases. She performs high-risk surgeries that needs multi-disciplinary approach. She has vast experience in premium (multifocal) lens implantation for continuous far-intermediate-near vision and corneal refractive surgery including femto-LASIK, SMILE, PRK; in addition to glaucoma surgeries including trabeculectomy or seton implantation (Ahmed Glaucoma Valve surgery). Her main expertise lies in the field of corneal transplantion techniques for various corneal pathologies, including penetrating keratoplasy (PK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and Boston type 1 / type 2 keratoprosthesis (KPro) surgeries for end-stage corneal diseases with otherwise no hope for vision.