Özge Yanık Odabaş, Turkey – Euretina Women in Retina Interview (July 2025)
In this Euretina Women in Retina series, a young female ophthalmologist shares her journey through challenges in a competitive field. She discusses the progress made over the years, including institutional support for women, the importance of mentorship, and maintaining work-life balance. Her advice to young women entering the profession emphasizes belief in oneself, seeking guidance, and the significance of organizational support in fostering inclusivity and career advancement.
Learn more about the EURETINA Women in Retina Programme here.
Video Transcript
Reflecting on the start of your career, how did gender-based challenges shape your experience, and have they improved?
Özge Yanık Odabaş: As a young woman, proving yourself in such a highly competitive and scientific field was quite challenging in the beginning. It required immense dedication, sacrifices, and a lot of hard work to be recognised. I often thought that I had to work even harder than expected to prove my value. Thankfully I have seen encouraging progress in the last years. There is greater awareness, growing recognition, and more opportunities and more space for women. That gives me hope for the future, but we still have a long way to go to make this journey easier for the next generation.
How have changes in institutions or the wider medical community affected women’s advancement in your field?
Özge Yanık Odabaş: I have seen encouraging changes in recent years. Now many institutions are more aware of the importance of the gender acuity and have introduced initiatives that support women like research grants, leadership opportunities, and other programs. In my story, in my point of view, being selected for the Euretina Mentorship Programme five years ago was a great example of this kind of support in action. It was a turning point for me. It’s provided not just a mentorship, but also visibility, self-confidence, and a strong sense of belonging within the international retina community. That kind of structure and intentional support can make a real difference for a young woman working to build her career.
How have you managed the demands of a high-stakes medical career with personal life and family?
Özge Yanık Odabaş: Balancing a demanding professional career with personal life is never easy, especially as a woman. I believe it is nearly impossible to create a perfect balance, but it is important to maintain a sustainable routine over time. For me, the key is having a strong support system. We can be, I suppose, a family member or a close friend, and it is important to not hesitate to ask for help when it is needed. There are times when professional responsibilities take priority, and other times when personal life needs more attention. Over time, I realised that sustainability comes from flexibility and self-awareness. It is about being kind to yourself while staying committed to your goals.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give to young women entering the field today?
Özge Yanık Odabaş: My advice to young woman entering the field is to believe in your potential even during difficult times. I can say let challenges shape you, not stop you. I believe progress comes from consistency, not from perfection. Also, having a mentor to guide you through challenges can make progress much easier. I am truly grateful for the mentors I have had in my clinic, and fortunately in the retina world we are surrounded by many strong and inspiring women who can guide us along the way.
What actions can organisations like Euretina take to foster a more diverse, inclusive and supportive environment for its community?
Özge Yanık Odabaş: Organisations like Euretina play a crucial role in shaping the future of our field. I believe providing more platforms for women to share their work, promoting gender balance and ensuring equal opportunities to career advancements are essential steps.
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