By Carrie Masson, Global Development Director
Editor’s note: Quotes have been clarified as English is not our partners’ primary language.
In the quiet of a processing suite in Ann Arbor, Mich., three Ukrainian ophthalmologists closely observed as Eversight technicians demonstrated advanced corneal tissue preparation techniques. Beyond professional development, it was an invaluable opportunity to bring hope home to Ukraine—to thousands of patients whose lives have been disrupted by war and increasing vision loss due to corneal trauma.
Yana Sirman, MD, PhD, serves as the director of the Eye Microsurgery Center at Chernivtsi Regional Clinical Hospital in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. Yelyzaveta (Elizabeth) Baran, MD, is an ophthalmic surgeon at the Vasyl Shevchyk Eye Microsurgery Clinic in Chernihiv, Ukraine. Georgii Parkhomenko, MD, PhD, is the director of the Novi Zir Ophthalmology Clinic in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A widening gap in Ukraine
Corneal blindness affects millions globally, but in Ukraine the challenge is compounded by years of underinvestment in specialized training and now, by the devastation of war. The visitors described a system where modern surgeries like lamellar keratoplasty are not yet standard. Training opportunities exist, but the cost is prohibitive.
“To gain real experience, we would need about 20 eyes,” Dr. Parkhomenko said. "But without the help of experienced technicians, without the support of an eye bank, it’s almost impossible. That’s why this training in the U.S. is so important for us.”
There can be many barriers faced by ophthalmologists determined to advance care abroad. Even before the war, Ukraine’s corneal transplant system was limited with a single eye bank in operation. Since the invasion, the demand for cornea tissue for sight restoration has surged.
The impact of war
The number of corneal injuries in Ukraine has increased dramatically since the war began in early 2022. Civilians suffer trauma from explosions, while soldiers endure mine-related and blast injuries. The result: a crisis in access to care.
“After the full-scale invasion in our country, the need for corneal transplantation is highly increasing,” Dr. Yana Sirman said. “In addition to the civilian trauma, we receive a lot of different explosive injuries, mine injuries from the soldiers. That’s why we almost doubled the needs of corneal transplantation. For the year we need almost 4,000 transplants, but in fact we’ve done only 200. The need is very big.”
Behind these numbers are lives disrupted—students who can no longer read, workers who cannot continue their jobs, parents who struggle to care for their families. Vision impairment has profound ripple effects in every community and sight restoration is crucial as Ukraine mitigates the devastation of ongoing war.
Learning modern techniques
The human dimension of training
Beyond the technical, the experience reinforced the personal motivations driving these selfless surgeons. They spoke not only of clinical need, but also of their responsibility to patients whose lives had been shattered by war.
“During this training and before, U.S. ophthalmology has been very important for us,” Dr. Parkhomenko said. “From the first day, we bought U.S. equipment, learned U.S. surgeries and approaches. And now, we need your eye banking experience even more.”
Building sustainable systems
Drs. Yana Sirman, Baran and Parkhomenko recognize that training is only the first step. To meet the true scale of need, Ukraine will require a sustainable eye banking system, affordable access to local training and continued collaboration with international partners.
Eversight’s global vision aligns precisely with these needs. By sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and empowering local surgeons, we can help ensure that vision-restoring procedures are not the privilege of a few, but the right of many.
Why global collaboration matters
This knowledge exchange is part of a broader commitment by Eversight to strengthen corneal care around the world. In Eswatini, Guatemala, Pakistan and beyond, similar partnerships have brought training, technology and mentorship to communities in need. Each program demonstrates the power of collaboration: a ripple effect where one training session can multiply into hundreds of sight-restoring surgeries.
In Ukraine, the urgency is sharp. War has amplified every barrier—cost, access and infrastructure. But these ophthalmologists’ determination shows that with the right support, change is possible.
Looking ahead
Empowering communities to restore sight
This training is a reminder of what global eye banking and corneal care can achieve. Education today will translate into sight restored tomorrow—for civilians rebuilding their lives, for returning soldiers, for families hoping for a brighter future.
This is the heart of Eversight’s mission: to honor the gift of donation, build authentic relationships and empower people around the world to see again. Support our work today.
