Israeli doctors in Lviv are launching an ophthalmological mission

In response to the sharp increase in severe eye injuries among the wounded during the war in Ukraine, an Israeli medical mission arrived in Lviv. The days spent in the western Ukrainian city were dedicated not only to treating the injured but also to transferring advanced knowledge to Ukrainian ophthalmology specialists. Details of the first publication were outlined in the material that appeared on the Israel Hayom website on December 15, 2025.

Since the beginning of the war, the number of patients with shrapnel wounds, blast injuries, burns, and penetrating injuries has sharply increased. These injuries often lead to severe and irreversible loss of vision.

Among such patients were both military personnel and civilians in need of complex medical assistance.

New Assistance and Modern Equipment

A delegation from Israel, sent by the organization One Heart in conjunction with the Bnei Zion Medical Center in Haifa, brought modern equipment for ophthalmological care to Ukraine. For the first time in the country, a specialized eye prosthetics service was created — a field that previously lacked a professional base in the Ukrainian healthcare system.

Some patients, according to Israeli doctors, are already preparing to travel to Israel for complex surgeries and subsequent hospital rehabilitation.

Treatment and Training on Site

Leading the mission is ophthalmic surgeon Dr. Yoav Verdizer from the Bnei Zion Medical Center and medical student Shir Diner. The main goal of the visit is not only direct involvement in treatment but also the exchange of knowledge with Ukrainian colleagues, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics.

According to Dr. Verdizer, the mission is humanitarian in nature and is based on professional and human solidarity. “Medical knowledge saves lives,” he noted, emphasizing that treatment goes beyond operating rooms and includes training Ukrainian specialists to work under shelling and constant pressure.

Cooperation Under the Pressure of War

“This is a humanitarian mission aimed at supporting Ukraine’s healthcare system amid ongoing hostilities,” Verdizer stated, speaking from Lviv. He added that some wounded soldiers will undergo surgeries in Israel, which could change their lives and restore their vision.

The project started in August 2023 at the direct request of the local hospital management and the mayor of Lviv, notes Shir Diner. According to her, the initial deployment of the mission was delayed due to the outbreak of war in Israel, but cooperation continued: Ukrainian medics had already undergone internships in Israeli clinics.

Experience Exchange and Long-term Cooperation

Israeli specialists worked under conditions where both countries face military challenges, making the exchange of experience particularly valuable. Training was conducted not only in operating rooms but also in the framework of training on organizing and managing medical services in crisis situations.

Each day of the mission was accompanied by an exchange of knowledge, which, according to the organizers, will have a significantly broader effect than a series of individual operations. The Israeli team intends to continue cooperation with Ukrainian medics and support the development of ophthalmological care in the country.

Outcomes and Significance of the Project

The Russian-Ukrainian war has increased the need for specialized medical care, including ophthalmological. The actions of the Israeli mission have become an important part of international support aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s medical infrastructure.

This is not only assistance to specific patients but also a contribution to the resilience of the healthcare system capable of operating under extreme conditions.

Such examples of international medical cooperation resonate in many countries, including Israel, as noted by NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, highlighting how joint efforts of doctors from different countries help save lives in wartime conditions.