Inherited eye diseases in Turkey: Current approaches and future directions

Abstract

The aim of this review is to reveal Turkey's current status of medical practice in inherited eye diseases and the necessary steps to improve healthcare services and research activities in this area. Since consanguinity rate is high, disease burden is estimated to be high in Turkey. Universal health insurance system, easily accessible medical specialists, increasing genetic test, and counseling opportunities are the key advantages of Turkey's healthcare system. However, specialized clinics for inherited eye diseases, low-vision rehabilitation services, training of ophthalmologists about the recent developments in ocular genetics, and multidisciplinary translational research are the main headlines needed to be focused for better health services and successful research in Turkey.

The Evaluation of Vision Related Quality of Life in Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa after Suprachoroidal Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment

“…Current management of the disease aims to slow down the progression by nutritional support, to treat complications, to provide rehabilitation and psychosocial support. New therapeutic options like retinal implants, gene and stem cell therapy are under investigation to decrease progression rate and restore vision [5] [6] [7] [8].…”

Introduction to the special issue on Ophthalmic Genetics: Vision in 2020

“…Ophthalmic genetics experiences in New Zealand (Hull et al, 2020), India (Bansal et al, 2020), Brazil (Sallum et al, 2020), and Argentina, Colombia, and Chile (Daich Varela et al, 2020) outline clinical practices and molecular genetic testing algorithms in their counties. Ophthalmic genetics is further developing in the Middle East, as highlighted in a paper by Mejecase et al (2020) describing the consecutive experience of an ophthalmic genetics clinic in the United Arab Emirates, and Yaylacioglu Tuncay et al (2020) recounting their clinical practices in Turkey. Finally, Elahi et al (2020) from Iran describe the current clinical and basic research landscape of glaucoma, which represents both complex and monogenic forms of disease.…”