Murat Oncel, M.D., FASRS
Professor of Ophthalmology
Istanbul Istinye University
Ulus Liv Hospital, Istanbul
Director of Vitreoretinal Surgery

Former Positions

• Former Professor of Ophthalmology
• Founder of the Vitreoretinal Surgery Department, Istanbul University, Cerrahpaşa Medical School
• Founder and Director of Vitreoretinal Surgery Department, Aksaray Vatan Hospital & German Hospital
• Past Chairman and Director, Yeditepe University Ophthalmology Department
• Founder and Former Director, Yeditepe University Eye Hospital

Education and Training

• MD – Istanbul University Istanbul Medical School
• Residency – Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical School
• Vitreoretinal Fellowship – LSU Eye Center, New Orleans, USA (with Prof. Dr. G. Peyman)
• Short-term training – Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic

Pioneering Work

First surgeon to perform vitrectomy in Istanbul, Turkey. Over 30,000 vitrectomy operations performed in the last 35 years. Introduced many advanced vitreoretinal surgical techniques to Turkey.

International Engagements

Invited guest speaker and lecturer in numerous countries including USA, Germany, Israel, India, Italy, Greece, Canada, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Ukraine, Morocco, Tunisia, Mexico, Venezuela.

Memberships

• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
• American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
• European Vitreoretinal Society (EVRS)
• European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA)
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
• ASCRS, ESCRS, ISCRS, Jules Gonin Club (candidate)
• International Society for Imaging in the Eye
• Black Sea Cataract and Refractive Society (BSCRS)
• Turkish American Ophthalmology Society (TAOS)
• Turkish Ophthalmology Society (Vitreoretinal Surgery Branch)
• Turkish Medical Association

Awards and Honors

• Eczacıbaşı Medical Award (1989 – Turkey’s most prestigious medical award)
• Honor Award – ASRS, 2003
• Rhett Buckler Award (2004, 2005, 2018 – ASRS)
• Senior Honor Award – ASRS, 2006
• Best Video Awards – EVRS, MediteRetina Club, Italian Retina Meeting, Greek Society, Turkish Ophthalmology Society
• International Ophthalmologist Education Award – AAO, 2008
• Gold Medal and Endowment Lecture Award – India, 2023
• Best Video Award – EVRS Meeting, Budapest, 2024

Editorial & Leadership Roles

• Co-editor of Retina Today (e-journal)
• Reviewer for national and international ophthalmology journals
• Country Delegate – EVRS
• Member of International Advisory Panel – AAO
• Past member of Education Committee – EURETINA
• Elected Co-opted Board Member – EURETINA (2009)

Meeting Organization

• Organizer and Co-founder – Mediterranean Retina Meetings (2004, 2006, 2008)
• Co-organizer – EVRS Meeting, Istanbul (2004)

Surgical Experience

• Vitrectomy and Retinal Detachment – over 30,000 cases
• Diabetic Retinopathy and Laser Photocoagulation
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration – early adopter of PDT and Avastin
• Cataract and IOL Implantation – thousands of cases
• Excimer Laser and LASIK – pioneer in Turkey (1993)

Industry Contribution
Advisor for development of the vitrectomy machine “Constellation” – Alcon

Recognition
Elected Fellow of American Society of Retina Specialists (FASRS)

Biography
Born in Canton, Ohio, USA. Raised in Ohio, Michigan (USA), and Istanbul (Turkey).

Contact Information
Prof. Dr. Murat Oncel, FASRS
Tel: +90-212-2248471
GSM: +90-530-9721245
Kodaman Sok. No:6-11
Nişantaşı, Istanbul 34363 Turkey
Email: profmuratoncel@gmail.com