Ophthalmology in Israel

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Medically trained doctors who care for patients who have eye and vision conditions are called ophthalmologists and are the only practitioners diagnosed and trained to treat all eye and vision problems. Their practice is very diverse, dealing with a wide range of issues and clinical conditions. Some of the most common conditions that they treat and manage include:

• Minor and major eye injuries
• Infectious eye disease
• Dry eyes
• Proptosis (bulged eyes)
• Glaucoma 
• Cataracts 
• Corneal pathology 
• Retinal problems, such as bleeding and detachment or tears of the retina
• Squints 
• Eye-related neurological problems
• Excessive tearing
• Intraocular inflammation
• Chronic eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

An ophthalmologist can offer a wide range of medical services, including surgical eye procedures. Some of the most common procedures that ophthalmologists perform are as follows:

• Eye examinations.
• Specialized tests, such as ultrasonography of the eyes and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Refractive surgery to correct vision, such as LASIK.
• Cataract surgery.
• Glaucoma surgery.
• Cancer treatment.
• Reconstructive surgery to repair birth abnormalities or trauma, such as crossed eyes.
• Neoplasm removal.
• Corneal transplants.
• Repairing torn or detached retinas.
• Strabismus surgery.
• Oculoplastic surgery (plastic surgery around the eye).
• Prescribing and fitting glasses and contact lenses.

How Long Should I Stay in Israel?

Your length of stay depends on the type of treatment you undergo. In general, you may need to stay in Israel for at least a week or to let your eyes recover and to attend follow-up checkups, where your ophthalmologist checks your condition and make sure that your eyes are healing properly. If everything is fine, they will allow you to leave for home. However, for some surgery, such as retinal detachment surgery, you should avoid flying until your eyes have fully healed. Therefore, it is best that you wait 3 to 4 weeks, sometimes even longer, before you travel home.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time depends on the type of surgery you underwent, your age, and overall health. It is generally recommended to rest your eyes for a few days. With LASIK, you may be able to return to work after a day. After a corneal transplant, you should wait for 2 to 3 weeks until you go back to work. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your ophthalmologist will give you instructions to care for your eye after the procedure. It is crucial that you follow all of them to have a quick recovery and obtain optimum results. To keep the result or to prevent complications, you will need to make some lifestyle changes, such as avoid smoking and staying active. You also need to attend regular checkups, typically once a year, with your local eye doctor or your ophthalmologist in Israel.

What's the Success Rate?

Thanks to the continuous advancement of ophthalmology, eye treatments, and surgeries are now highly successful and safe. For instance, the latest research of LASIK showed that it has a 99% success rate in achieving 20/40 vision or better, whereas the success rate of corneal transplant is as high as 90%. However, it is important to be aware of the risks and side effects of eye treatments and surgeries, such as dry eyes, temporary visual problems, overcorrections, under correction, astigmatism, regression, and, very rarely, vision loss.

Are there Alternatives?

For some eye problems, you may be able to go to an optometrist as an alternative. However, if your conditions need to be treated through surgery, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Ophthalmology in and around Israel

About Israel

Israel celebrated 70 years of independence in 2018 - in what is a truly ancient land. The world’s only Jewish and democratic state is home to sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. While these holy places are truly unique attractions, there is more to Israel than religious heritage and complex politics. Jerusalem is the official capital and holy city to three world religions, previously mentioned, while Tel Aviv brims with beaches and bustles with urban vitality. Then there’s the Dead Sea and Masada, the stark, stunning Negev, and fertile Galilee. The number of museums and cultural institutions per relative area is larger in Israel than anywhere in the world.

Home to more than 30 JCI accredited facilities, medical tourists visit Israel for a variety of procedures, but particularly dental and tertiary care. Ophthalmology procedures are also a popular choice.

Popular Parts of Israel

Israel is an alluring destination for those who want to appreciate its astonishing religious sites, stunning natural beauty, and remarkable historic relics. 

• Tel Aviv is the economic and technological center of Israel, with a population of over 400,000; it is the most populous city in the country. Located on the Mediterranean coastline, the city offers sunny beaches for any sun-chaser. The city has impressive architecture and has a modern cosmopolitan landscape. Tel Aviv Museum of Art houses works by international artists. In addition, it has a nonstop nightlife with a huge party option to fit every taste.
• Haifa is the country’s third-largest city and it is one of Israel’s high-technology centers as well as a busy working port. The city may have an industrious image, but with a number of museums, gardens, and shrines, it is an amazing place to travel to. The Baha’i Gardens are possibly the most popular attraction as it is the final resting place of the prophet-herald of the Baha’i Faith. Tourists can have a bird’s eye view from the platform at the top or take a free Panorama Tour.
• Eilat is located at the southernmost tip of Israel and is the only Israeli city on the Red Sea. Families come to the city to have a good time on the beach and party-goers come for its all-night parties. The turquoise waters invite visitors to snorkel, scuba dive, or swim. It is recommended to stay in an Oasis at night to get a chance to stargaze under a clear desert night sky. During the day, visit the Eilat Mountains to have a beautiful view of an ancient desert.
• Tsfat or Safed is a quaint mountain-top city surrounded by pine forests. Located at an elevation of 900 meters, the city enjoys warm summers and cold winters. It is a popular summer holiday resort frequented by Israelis and foreign visitors. Here, tourists will find synagogues, art galleries, and unique crumbling stone houses.
• Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and three major Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Islam, and Christianity) considered it a holy city. Even though it has been destroyed and rebuilt over thousands of years, the city manages to endure its spiritual magnetism. It is overflowing with holy sites, diversity, and layers of history.

Weather and Climate in Israel

Israel is a year-round destination but the temperatures in the city vary widely. The coastal areas such as Tel Aviv and Haifa experiences a typical Mediterranean climate where the winters are rainy and the summers are hot. The area around Northern Negev has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. The Southern Negev has a desert climate with extremely hot summers and mild winters. On the other hand, mountainous regions have pleasant summer and cold winters with a little snowfall.

Generally, the winter months from November to March are the coldest months in the country. When mountainous areas such as Jerusalem receives snowfall, the coastal areas experience heavy rainfall. Summer starts in June and ends in August and it is the hottest season in every part of the country, especially in the desert area where the heat can be overbearing. The seasons of spring and autumn have the best weather, with pleasant temperatures and fewer rainy days.

Getting Around in Israel

Ben Gurion Airport is the main gateway to Israel and it is the busiest airport in the country located 20 kilometers southeast of Tel Aviv and 45 kilometers northwest of Jerusalem. The airport is ranked among the five best airports in the Middle East. It serves both domestic and international flights to and from numerous major cities around the world. There is two main passenger terminal at this airport. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights and international budget airlines such as EasyJet and Vueling, while Terminal 3 serves international flights. 

Since the distance between one city to another is relatively short, getting around Israel is easy. The quickest and most convenient way is by domestic flights. The tickets are not very expensive and deals are often available online. Sometimes a one-way ticket can cost as little as 89 NIS (25 USD). Buses are also convenient but can be slow during traffic jams. Buses connecting Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa depart very frequently. A one-way ticket from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is around 25 NIS (7 USD). Israel’s main bus company is the Egged Bus Company. Trains are also available and very comfortable. They are a lot faster than the bus but the cost can be higher.

Taxis are widely available and can be hailed directly from the streets. Although most taxis are metered, you can agree on a fixed rate and be aware that some drivers are known to overcharge tourists, so you should insist on using the meter and make sure that it is reset to the base fare after you get in. The base fare is normally around 12.30 NIS (3.5 USD). There is also a shared taxi van known as Sherut. It is a good option to travel between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and Haifa.   

Tourist Visas in Israel

All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months after the date of departure from Israel. Citizens of 99 countries including the European Union, Canada, Singapore, Russia, and the United States do not require a visa to enter the country for up to 3 months. Nationals not listed on the visa exemption agreement need to obtain a visa and should contact their nearest embassy of Israel. Citizens of 25 countries require a confirmation from the Israeli government before a tourist visa is issued.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) and 1 USD will get you 3.28 NIS.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs that accept international cards are widespread (mostly Visa and MasterCard), except at border crossings with Egypt and Jordan. Credit cards are widely accepted and tipping is common but normally not expected. 
3. Local Language: The official language is Hebrew and Arabic has a special status under Israeli law as a semi-official language. Russian is spoken by around 20% of the population. Most of the population can speak English fairly well as it is required in schools and universities.
4. Local Culture and Religion: More than 70% of the population follows Judaism. There are small groups of Muslims, Christian, and Druze. Muslims are the largest minority group in the country.
5. Public Holidays: The country celebrates major national holidays as well as Jewish holidays such as Independence Day, Jerusalem Day, and Hanukkah.