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Sezen Karakus

Sezen Karakus, MD, MPH

Cornea and External Diseases

Accepting New Patients
Online Booking

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Young Adult 18-25
  • Adult 26-64
  • Older Adult 65+

Languages

  • Turkish
  • English

Gender

Female

Johns Hopkins Affiliations:

  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty

About Sezen Karakus

Primary Academic Title

Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Johns Hopkins Physician

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Background

Sezen Karakus, M.D., M.P.H., 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 methods 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. 

Find a Clinical Trial

View all trials by this principal investigator.

Recent News Articles and Media Coverage

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

Research Interests

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

Locations

  1. Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
    • 10753 Falls Road, Pavilion II STE 455, Lutherville, MD 21093
    • Get Directions
  2. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
    • 4940 Eastern Avenue, Bayview Medical Offices, Level 01 (G), Clinic 3, Baltimore, MD 21224
    • Get Directions

Expertise

Education

  • Graduate School: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2025
  • Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery, 2018
  • Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cornea, external Diseases & Refractive Surgery, 2017
  • Residency: Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology, 2011
  • Medical Education: Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, MD, 2006

Insurance

Please contact the location directly to confirm your health plan is accepted.
Search plans
  • Aetna
  • CareFirst
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Geisinger Health Plan
  • HealthSmart/Accel
  • Johns Hopkins Health Plans
  • MultiPlan
  • Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
  • Point Comfort Underwriters
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9 out of 5

150 ratings, 75 reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

Overall Rating by Patient
Provider Listened Carefully
Provider Explained Things Clearly
Provider Knew Medical History
Provider Showed Respect
Provider Spent Enough Time
Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/6/2026

    Post-op visit the day after cataract surgery. Dr Karakus very carefully explained post-op care and made several referrals for other providers (which I requested for Sjogren's specialists).

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/3/2026

    She is a passionate caring doctor who is very thorough. You don't find this much. It is sad that she is leaving. She will be hard to replace. But, I will follow the doctors to their new location.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/3/2026

    Dr Karakus is so caring & wonderful. I will miss her dearly.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/2/2026

    Dr Karakus Is an excellent eye doctor. Her presence will be greatly missed.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/24/2026

    Dr. Karakus was excellent!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/24/2026

    EXCELLENT. WONDERFUL, COMPASSIONATE, AND CARING!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/24/2026

    The coordination of care was seamless and very well organized. The physician demonstrated exceptional expertise, professionalism, and thoroughness during the consultation.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/17/2026

    She has been a good doctor for my particular problem. However, I am sorry she is leaving and I will have to have a different dr

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/3/2026

    Dr Karakus is wonderful. So kind and compassionate. She's caring and concerned. Very thorough in her exam. I'm grateful to experience her expert care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/3/2026

    Dr. Sezen Karakus is the best doctor and most helpful detailed most patient doctor I have ever seen. She knows her stuff and is top of her area. She goes above and beyond for her patient and explains everything in a way you can understand. It is Johns Hopkins biggest loss to loose her in her leave.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/2/2026

    Good

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/20/2026

    Dr. Karakus is an excellent provider and demonstrates the skills, care, and knowledge all provider should aspire to.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/16/2025

    My provider answered all my questions and put me at ease before the surgery

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/16/2025

    Great doctor in every respect.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/16/2025

    Dr Karakus has helped me. I'm very sorry she's leaving.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/9/2025

    She is a star!!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/4/2025

    Provider was excellent, professional and knowledgeable, as well as courteous.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/2/2025

    Dr Karakus was wonderful! She was caring and knowledgeable about my chronic conditions that are not well known and worked with me to ensure my safety.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/18/2025

    This provider is always running so late. We didn't see the doctor until 2.5 hours after we arrived. We got a text that I was next in line but still waited 37 minutes until I was called back. Everyone is so nice amd doctor is good but the time is outrageous and this is every time I go here

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/18/2025

    Dr. Karakus is a caring, patient doctor. Her focus is providing the best possible care. She answered my questions regarding the cataract surgery. She was specific on expectations for my vision. She is a highly competent surgeon.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/18/2025

    Dr. Karakus is a superb ophthalmologist whom I trust. (I don't trust all or many doctors.)

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/18/2025

    Very excellent careshe listened to me and I listened to her and I'm very happy with my Doctor!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/28/2025

    Outstanding

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/21/2025

    My provider was attentive and reassuring and I really appreciated her advice and care

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/21/2025

    She's excellent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/21/2025

    Dr Karakus was a pleasure just an amazing lady really knowledgeable and kind as well!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/21/2025

    Very competent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/14/2025

    Absolutely amazing experience and appreciate Dr Karakus. She needs help and hope you are finding replacements. Hate to see leave given her workload has doubled / tripled

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/14/2025

    Dr Karakus is thoughtful and knowledgeable physician. I am confident that she is current with the most recent options to give me safe and effective care. She is conscious of my expenses and offers available alternatives. Explains everything well for my complex dry eye condition.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/30/2025

    I consider Dr. Karakus a most caring physician. She is obviously gifted in many ways. My biggest ""problem"" in communication with Dr. Karakus is MY deafness and her accent. That is NOT her fault, but it has caused me concern that I am not understanding all that she is so well versed to communicate.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/16/2025

    The doctor was very good as was the tech I saw initially

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/16/2025

    Professional and beautiful spirits very lovely experience with her

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/16/2025

    The only thing I have complaint about is that waiting period is too long. I understand that Dr. Karakus has many patients and very busy, not sure if anything can be done about long waiting time from your actual appointment time.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/16/2025

    Dr. Karakus is thorough, very knowledgeable and kind!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/9/2025

    Excellent visit with good communication!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/9/2025

    I really had a goo visit with my Doctor. It was the first visit I ever had with her.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/9/2025

    She is educated & very kind

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/9/2025

    Excellent

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/9/2025

    The provider was pleasant, patient and prepared to give me the Information I was there to hear.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/9/2025

    The doctor was very good and addressed my concerns

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/4/2025

    Excellent and very clear

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/12/2025

    Dr Karakus is excellent. Kind and compassionate with excellent fund of knowledge.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/7/2025

    She was amazing. She listened carefully to what I had to say, was very thoughtful, and actually cared. She was the best provider I have seen in years.

    2 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/7/2025

    Since the doctor was running so late she appeared to be distracted.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/7/2025

    An exceptional Doctor. Extremely knowledgeable, caring, great listener, asked multiple questions. Was very exacting in her testing and diagnosis. Given an extremely complicated health history with multiple brain surgeries and other very serious illnesses, Dr. Karakus has always been meticulous in her care and treatment.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/7/2025

    Dr karakus is wonderful

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/5/2025

    Waited 1 hour after visit started to see the provider. No one said she was behind.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/15/2025

    Very good

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/15/2025

    This was an outstanding experience. I felt that Dr karakus was professional, caring, thorough, and truly listened to me!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/15/2025

    She's courteous, knowledgeable/expert on her field of ophthalmology and good listener to my concerns about cataract surgery, and tries to make me understand of some complications that may arise with the procedure, which to me is always possible ..!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/8/2025

    Good

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/8/2025

    Dr. Karakus is a very conscience and personable provider. She was excellent.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/3/2025

    Dr. Karakus is a wonderful doctor. She is thorough, knowledgeable and on the forefront of her field. I'm lucky I have her to care for m.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/3/2025

    One of the best doctors I've ever seen.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/1/2025

    Highly competent and kind

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/1/2025

    Provider is wonderful once in the room. I know she cares for my well being and is seeking options to help me.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/17/2025

    She is thorough, competent , compassionate, thoughtful and very precautiotiusly.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/17/2025

    EXCELLENT DOCTOR TAKES HER TIME AND EXPLAINS THINGS TOO!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/17/2025

    Dr. Karakus is an amazing physician, and I wish that there were more like her. She is warm and kind and explains everything in detail.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/17/2025

    Wonderful, as described below:""Dr. Karakus is a very caring and knowledgeable person. She listens carefully and explains her thinking and the options available. I feel fortunate to have had her as my specialist doctor over the past few years.""

    2 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/12/2025

    Medically an excellent doctor

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/10/2025

    Very good

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/10/2025

    Dr. Karakus is exceptional. She is extremely knowledgeable, thorough, attentive, insightful, and thoughtful. She is kind, patient, and caring.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/3/2025

    Excellent and compassionate professional. Very good with respectful and informative information.Dr. Sezen

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/27/2025

    Dr. Karakus is very attentive and a good listener.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/22/2025

    First visit. I was most impressed

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/20/2025

    Clear, succinct, precise and caring. Very professional.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/15/2025

    Keep up the good work!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/13/2025

    Sezen Karakus is a highly skilled and knowledgable physician. This was my first exam with her and it was one of the most thorough I've ever had. She also had a resident and a fellow with her to observe and participate. I'm sure they gained insights into her thinking and her patient care philosophy. Dr. Karakus builds rapport and trust with patients and will be my regular ophthalmologist.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/29/2025

    The best experience with doctor I have ever had.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/24/2025

    I find Dr Karakus to be a knowledgeable and compassionate ophthalmologist. I believe I'm in good hands under her care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/24/2025

    Excellent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/24/2025

    Excellent!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/17/2025

    She is an outstanding member of your faculty who is very pleasant, kind and does a terrific job in patient care!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/17/2025

    So glad to have her as my eye doctor! She's great and so knowledgeable