Objective:

To reduce preventable blindness in Ukraine and improve access to corneal tissue for transplantation through training and legislative advocacy.

Key Findings:

• Cornea transplantation is becoming more accepted in Ukraine since 2023, largely due to the war's impact.
• There are currently fewer than ten surgeons qualified to perform cornea transplants in Ukraine.
• The war has increased the demand for corneal transplants due to eye trauma among soldiers.

Interpretation:

The need for corneal care in Ukraine has grown significantly due to the war, necessitating urgent legislative changes and increased training for surgeons.

Limitations:

• Current legislation does not support private eye banks, limiting access to corneal tissue.
• The limited number of trained surgeons available for cornea transplantation poses a significant barrier to meeting the growing demand.

Conclusion:

Efforts are underway to rebuild corneal care in Ukraine, focusing on training and legislative changes to support eye banking and transplantation.