Sezen Karakus, M.D.

Headshot of Sezen Karakus
  • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Female

Languages: English, Turkish

Expertise

Blepharitis, Cataract Surgery, Cataracts, Comprehensive Eye Care, Comprehensive Medical and Surgical Ophthalmology, Cornea Transplant, Cornea/Anterior Segment Disease, Dry Eyes, External Diseases of the Eye, Ophthalmology, Refractive Surgery, Rosacea, Sjogren's Syndrome ...read more

Research Interests

Ocular surface diseases; dry eye; tear film; Sjogren's syndrome; ocular rosacea; meibomian gland dysfunction; ocular surface microbiome; serological markers; ocular surface inflammation ...read more

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Insurance Information

Main Phone

Outside of Maryland & Washington D.C.

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Locations

The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Appointment Phone: 410-955-5080
600 N. Wolfe Street
Wilmer Eye Institute
Baltimore, MD 21287
The Johns Hopkins Hospital - Google Maps

Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute - Columbia

Appointment Phone: 410-910-2330
10710 Charter Drive
Medical Pavilion at Howard County, Suite 310
Columbia, MD 21044
Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute - Columbia - Google Maps

Johns Hopkins Medicine - Green Spring Station

Appointment Phone: 410-583-2802
10753 Falls Road
Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Pavilion II
Lutherville, MD 21093
Johns Hopkins Medicine - Green Spring Station - Google Maps

Background

Sezen Karakus, M.D., is an assistant professor of ophthalmology specializing in corneal and external eye diseases, with a particular focus on ocular surface conditions in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome and ocular rosacea. Her expertise also extends to corneal diseases involving abnormal sensory nerves, such as neurotrophic keratitis and neuropathic corneal pain. She is skilled in performing routine and complex procedures, including cataract and intraocular lens surgeries, refractive surgeries, corneal transplants, ocular surface reconstructions and amniotic membrane transplantations.

At the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine's Ocular Surface Diseases and Dry Eye Clinic, she plays an integral role as a team member, providing her clinical insights and expertise. Additionally, she serves as an ophthalmologist in the Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) program at Hopkins. This unique position allows her to address dysautonomia-related neuropathic eye pain and ocular surface diseases in patients with POTS, combining her eye specialization with a focus on this specific medical condition. 

As a clinician-scientist, her research revolves around ocular surface diseases. Dr. Karakus is actively investigating the role of the ocular surface microbiome in the pathogenesis of ocular rosacea. Her involvement in the NIH U24 Ocular Surface Microbiome Consortium allows her to collaborate with fellow experts in the field to standardize research methrods and develop validated protocols for studying the ocular surface microbiome.

Another area of research interest for Dr. Karakus involves serological and tear biomarkers in Sjögren's disease. Through a longitudinal study, she aims to determine the utility of tissue-specific autoantibodies for early diagnosis of Sjögren's disease in patients with dry eyes. Understanding the broader impact of Sjögren's disease on the peripheral and central nervous systems is crucial, as it can manifest as severe ocular surface disease with diminished corneal sensation (neurotrophic keratitis) or intense eye pain without significant ocular surface disease (neuropathic corneal pain). 

Her clinical expertise and research contributions have earned Dr. Karakus recognition regionally and nationally, as evidenced by her role as a consultant in complex dry eye and ocular surface diseases. She takes pride in her dedication to advancing the understanding of ocular surface conditions and providing the best possible care for patients. 

By combining her specialization in corneal and external eye disease with her involvement in the POTS program and cutting-edge research on ocular surface diseases, Dr. Karakus strives to make a significant impact on patient care and contribute to the advancement of ophthalmology and related fields. 

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Titles

  • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Departments / Divisions

Education

Degrees

  • MD; Trakya Universitesi (2006)

Residencies

  • Ophthalmology; Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital (2011)

Fellowships

  • Cornea and Anterior Segment Service; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2017)
  • Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2018)

Research & Publications

Videos & Media

Recent News Articles and Media Coverage

Study investigates biomarkers of Sjögren’s syndrome-related dry eye - Healio (Jun. 2020)

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