Ezgi Karatas

Dr. Ezgi Karatas

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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20 June 2024 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CECeren Durmaz Engin
Ceren Durmaz Engin
EKEzgi Karatas
Ezgi Karatas
TOTaylan Ozturk
Taylan Ozturk
Background: Large language models (LLMs) are becoming increasingly important as they are being used more frequently for providing medical information. Our aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of electronic artificial intelligence (AI) large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT-4, BingAI, and Gemini in responding to patient inquiries about retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: The answers of LLMs for fifty real-life patient inquiries were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale by three ophthalmologists. The models’ responses were also evaluated for reliability with the DISCERN instrument and the EQIP framework, and for readability using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), and Coleman-Liau Index. Results: ChatGPT-4 outperformed BingAI and Gemini, scoring the highest with 5 points in 90% (45 out of 50) and achieving ratings of “agreed” or “strongly agreed” in 98% (49 out of 50) of responses. It led in accuracy and reliability with DISCERN and EQIP scores of 63 and 72.2, respectively. BingAI followed with scores of 53 and 61.1, while Gemini was noted for the best readability (FRE score of 39.1) but lower reliability scores. Statistically significant performance differences were observed particularly in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment categories. Conclusion: ChatGPT-4 excelled in providing detailed and reliable responses to ROP-related queries, although its texts were more complex. All models delivered generally accurate information as per DISCERN and EQIP assessments.

25 October 2025 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EKEzgi Karatas
Ezgi Karatas
BYBulent Yavuzer
Bulent Yavuzer
ODOzlem Demir
Ozlem Demir
ESEsra Tuba Sezgin
Esra Tuba Sezgin
EHEngin Hendem
Engin Hendem
HSHalis Suleyman
Halis Suleyman
Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) such as erlotinib are widely used in non-small-cell lung cancer treatment, and accumulating evidence indicates they can markedly increase ocular toxicity. Nonetheless, whether erlotinib causes optic nerve injury has not been investigated before and remains a subject worth investigating. This study aimed to examine the impact of erlotinib on oxidative stress, inflammation, and histopathological changes in rat optic nerve tissue and evaluate the potential neuroprotective role of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP). Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: healthy control, TPP alone, erlotinib alone, and erlotinib + TPP. Erlotinib (10 mg/kg, orally, on alternate days) and TPP (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, daily) were administered for two consecutive weeks. Optic nerve samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (tGSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), followed by histopathological examination. Results: Erlotinib treatment significantly increased MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels while reducing tGSH, SOD, and CAT activity, demonstrating oxidative stress and an inflammatory response. Co-administration of TPP ameliorated these changes by lowering reactive oxygen species, restoring antioxidant capacity, and attenuating inflammation. Histopathological alterations, including astrocyte degeneration, edema, and vascular congestion, were evident after erlotinib exposure but were significantly alleviated when TPP was administered concurrently. Conclusions: Erlotinib induces oxidative and inflammatory optic nerve injury, while TPP co-treatment offers significant neuroprotection. These findings support TPP as a potential adjunct to reduce EGFR-TKI-related ocular toxicity and highlight importance of redox modulation in limiting treatment-associated side effects.

1 October 2021 in Turkish Journal of Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
TOTaylan Ozturk
Taylan Ozturk
EKEzgi Karatas
Ezgi Karatas
PKPelin Teke Kısa
Pelin Teke Kısa
HOHüseyin Onay
Hüseyin Onay
ASAli Osman Saatci
Ali Osman Saatci
A preterm infant who underwent bilateral laser photocoagulation for the treatment of stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is presented because she was incidentally diagnosed with grade 3 lipemia retinalis by dilated fundoscopy at post-laser 2 weeks. Meticulous ophthalmologic examination is imperative in premature newborns for not only ROP screening but also detecting any concomitant ocular abnormalities, which can be sight-threatening or even life-threatening.

11 October 2025 in Life
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CECenap Mahmut Esenulku
Cenap Mahmut Esenulku
ICIbrahim Cicek
Ibrahim Cicek
ASAhmet mehmet Somuncu
Ahmet mehmet Somuncu
BYBulent Yavuzer
Bulent Yavuzer
ESEsra Tuba Sezgin
Esra Tuba Sezgin
HSHalis Suleyman
Halis Suleyman
Linezolid, a synthetic antimicrobial agent, may induce oxidative damage in ocular tissues, particularly in the optic nerve. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is involved in the production of antioxidants that scavenge and neutralize reactive oxygen species. This study aims to evaluate the potential protective effect of exogenous ATP against linezolid-induced ocular damage in rats, in comparison with methylprednisolone. Wistar-type rats were divided into five groups as follows: healthy (HG), ATP-only (ATPG), linezolid-only (LZDG), ATP + linezolid (ATLDG), and methylprednisolone + linezolid groups (MPLDG). Oxidative stress markers, antioxidant biomarkers, and proinflammatory cytokines were analyzed in isolated ocular tissues. Optic nerve tissue was also evaluated histopathologically. Linezolid administration increased the oxidative stress marker MDA and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α, while decreasing antioxidant parameters such as tGSH, SOD and CAT in rat ocular tissues, compared to the healthy group. However, it did not significantly alter serum troponin I levels. Histopathological analysis revealed that linezolid induced oxidative damage and inflammation in optic nerve tissue, with marked glial alterations. ATP administration reduced linezolid-induced oxidative stress in ocular tissue, as indicated by decreased MDA levels. It also enhanced antioxidant defenses by increasing tGSH, SOD, and CAT levels. In addition, ATP lowered proinflammatory cytokine levels, thereby alleviating inflammation. These effects collectively contributed to the restoration of biochemical parameters toward normal levels. In addition, ATP mitigated linezolid-induced optic nerve damage and glial alterations. The critical role of ATP in reducing oxidative stress, restoring antioxidant balance, and suppressing inflammation may represent a promising therapeutic approach for linezolid-induced ocular toxicity.

26 September 2023
Verified
Book Chapter
Open access
PDF file
EKEzgi Karatas
Ezgi Karatas
CUCanan Aslı Utine
Canan Aslı Utine
Various novel intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas have been described to increase refractive precision following cataract surgery. These include the Barrett Universal II, Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO), Kane, Naeser 2, Olsen, Panacea, Pearl DGS, Radial Basis Function (RBF), T2, and VRF formulas. With a few notable exceptions, historical and regression formulasfirst- and second-generation IOL formulas like Sanders, Retzlaff, Kraff (SRK), Binkhorst, Hoffer, and SRKIIare generally regarded as outdated. The effective lens position (ELP) is accounted for in third- and fourth-generation formulas which include more biometric data. A possible alternative that has shown to be remarkably accurate when used with the Olsen method is ray tracing. Artificial intelligence-derived IOL formulas are becoming increasingly common and may yield better lens power prediction accuracy. Despite improvements in surgical technique, biometry measurements, and IOL calculations, some clinical circumstances continue to challenge cataract surgeons to determine the appropriate IOL power. These unique situations include pediatric eyes, post-refractive eyes, and corneal ectasias. The obstacles to reliability include unrepeatable measurements and inaccurate biometry examinations. Researchers have tried to identify the most accurate IOL estimations for these challenging clinical scenarios to overcome these obstacles.

1 January 2025 in Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EKEzgi Karatas
Ezgi Karatas
CUCanan Aslı Utine
Canan Aslı Utine
We present the case of a 37-year-old woman who underwent bilateral penetrating keratoplasty for congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy at the age of 10 years. Over the subsequent 27 years, the patient’s vision slowly deteriorated. Our examination revealed decompensation of the right corneal graft. We addressed this with regraft surgery. We then learned that the patient had been suffering from progressive hearing loss since adolescence. Tonal audiometry revealed hearing per ceptive deafness of 25 dB, which was more prominent in the left ear. Because the patterns of progressive sensorineural hearing loss and congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy have both been linked to the same gene, slc4a11, we tested our patient for mutations in this gene. The test was positive for a heterozygous slc4a11 gene fifth exon mutation on chromosome 20p13-p12, which causes a frameshift. A combined clinical and genetic evaluation confirmed a diagnosis of Harboyan syndrome. After the genetic diagnosis of the disease, she was evaluated for the need for a hearing aid due to her hearing loss. The patient was also informed about genetic counseling.