Dr. Cagri Besirli MD, PhD

Practice: University of Michigan Kellogg Center

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Website: https://www.umkelloggeye.org/

Phone: 734-763-5874

Dr. Besirli's research focuses on the characterization of pathways critical for cell death during retinal stress, including retinal detachment and macular degeneration. Primary focus is given to the identification of individual proteins that regulate intracellular checkpoints important for retinal cell death or survival, with the ultimate goal of developing new therapeutic agents for clinical use.

Board Certifications: Ophthalmology

Medical School: Washington University School of Medicine, 2006

Residency: University of Michigan Health System, Ophthalmology, 2010

Molecular mechanisms of photoreceptor cell death and survival during periods of retinal stress
- Research Areas
  - eHealth
  - Macular Degeneration and Retinal Dystrophies
  - Technology Innovation
- Research Summary
  - Molecular mechanisms of photoreceptor cell death and survival during periods of retinal stress
- Gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases
- Disease and surgery of the retina and vitreous, including retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disease, ocular trauma, ocular inflammation, macular and submacular surgery, and surgical management of complex retinal detachment
- Medical and surgical management of acquired and inherited pediatric retinal disorders, including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), Coats? disease, retinal detachment, and ocular trauma
- Sub-specialty: Retina
Subspecialty: Retina
Gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases; Disease and surgery of the retina and vitreous, including retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disease, ocular trauma, ocular inflammation, macular and submacular surgery, and surgical management of complex retinal detachment; Medical and surgical management of acquired and inherited pediatric retinal disorders, including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), Coats? disease, retinal detachment, and ocular trauma

FAQ

At the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, we are often contacted by anxious parents or patients who are seeking information after receiving a diagnosis of Coats’ Disease. The questions below are provided as a resource to assist you as you and your doctor decide the best approach for treatment. These questions do not constitute any form of medical advice or diagnosis. Each patient is unique. An experienced retinal specialist who has examined the patient is the best source of information for diagnosis and treatment. We always recommend getting a second opinion.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor (Download PDF)

Ahead of any treatments or procedures, it is important to ask yourself and the doctor the following questions:
- How do you know that this is Coats’ Disease?
- Has your doctor treated other patients with Coats’ Disease?
- Have you sought a second opinion? If not, please consult our Doctor Directory for knowledgeable doctors in your area.
- What Stage of Coats’ Disease is he/she in?
- Will his/her vision get worse over time?
- Will the eye have pain?
- Will his/her eye start to turn out? Is muscle corrective surgery an option?
- Are cataracts likely?
- How likely is glaucoma? (due to retinal detachment)
- Is there calcification?
- What is the anticipated disease progression?
- Is there a thorough vision exam available?
- Where is the vision affected? (central/peripheral/distance)
- Does he/she have depth perception? (3D visibility)
- What about the non-Coats’ eye?
- To what extent is his/her vision affected?
- Will we be able to use this as a baseline to measure progress/decline?