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.
They were accompanied by Dr. Yana Sirman’s husband, Viktor Sirman, MD, PhD, who aims to support the operations of a new eye banking system in Ukraine, and their daughter, Valeria Sirman, MSc, who provided invaluable translation assistance during the visit.
“The main purpose why we’re here is that we need to learn how corneal transplantation works in the United States so we can take this knowledge to our country,” Dr. Baran said. “We need to see the whole structure from the beginning to the end—from the corneal tissue preparation to the operating room. In Ukraine, we don’t have the ability to perform these types of operations.”
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 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.
The Ukrainian team observed surgical techniques at University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center as well as the entire continuum of eye banking. They learned how Eversight recovers, prepares and evaluates tissue, how surgeons collaborate with clinical processing technicians, and how patient outcomes are improved through systems-level coordination.
“I have experience with penetrating keratoplasty, but modern times need modern procedures,” Dr. Parkhomenko said. “We need modern surgeries like lamellar keratoplasty, but for these techniques we must be trained.”
This intensive Eversight Academy training was supported by Eye Care for Ukraine, and provided these ophthalmologists what they currently lack back home: access to donor tissue, infrastructure for practice and mentorship. By engaging with U.S. colleagues at Kellogg and Eversight, they can now envision how these systems might be adapted in Ukraine.
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.”
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.
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.
The Ukrainian ophthalmologists left the U.S. with new skills, fresh connections and a vision for building eye banking and surgical capacity back home. They carry expert knowledge and the encouragement that comes from knowing they are not alone on their mission to make vision a reality.
Eversight remains committed to standing alongside partners like Dr. Yana Sirman and peers. Together, we can close the gap between need and reality and bring the gift of sight to thousands more.
“The need is very big,” Dr. Yana Sirman said. “But we will continue. We will do everything we can.”
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.