Ocular Health and Eye Care Services During the Full-Scale War in Ukraine

There has been an outpouring of support for Ukrainian ophthalmologists facing shortages of personnel, equipment, and medications from international sources such as the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Association of Polish Ophthalmic Surgeons, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. [...]Ukrainian refugees throughout Europe have access to local health care systems, with some hospitals offering free virtual consultations, examinations, and surgeries.PERSONS LIVING WITH SEVERE VISION IMPAIRMENT An estimated 2.1 million Ukrainians (4.9% of the population) are living with moderate to severe visual impairment and 166,422 (0.38%) are classified as blind.2 Because of their vision and mobility impairments, these individuals are vulnerable during wartime and need external assistance for rescue, evacuation, and sheltering. [...]their capabilities to rely on other fine-tuned senses can be compromised by the din of war, pungent odors, and bitter tastes from exploded ordnance and burning fires. [...]Ukrainian ophthalmologists continue to provide eye care for civilians and combatants.