Department of Adult and Pediatric Ophthalmology - Sheba Medical Center Ramat Gan

About the Department of Adult and Pediatric Ophthalmology at Sheba Medical Center Ramat Gan

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Sheba Medical Center Ramat Gan offers the full range of services for the diagnostics and treatment of diseases of the eye and its appendages. A highly competent team of the department's specialists deals with the treatment of patients of all age groups – from young children to adults and the elderly. The department effectively uses the cutting-edge medical and technological developments for the treatment of common and especially severe ophthalmic pathologies. Structurally, the medical facility consists of an inpatient clinic, a day hospital, an outpatient clinic, an ophthalmic emergency service and progressive operating rooms for the surgical treatment of eye diseases. The department employs more than 50 highly qualified specialists, 30 nurses and medical technicians who have undergone special training. The department is headed by Dr. med. Amir Alhalel.

The department's doctors annually provide inpatient care for more than 3,000 patients, while about 4,000 patients undergo treatment on an outpatient basis. More than 3,800 surgical procedures are performed in high-tech operating rooms every year.

One of the primary focuses of the department is ocular oncology, which deals with the diagnostics and treatment of eye tumors. The department's specialists apply all their experience and technical resources for the preservation of vision and a high quality of life for patients. The treatment is based on an interdisciplinary approach, involving experts in oncology, genetics, neuroradiology, radiation oncology and other medical fields. Eye tumors are quite rare, but many of them pose a serious threat to the patient's life. To achieve remission and maintain vision, the treatment requires a professional and comprehensive approach. The department's therapeutic options in this field include surgical treatment, intravenous, intra-arterial and intravitreal injection of chemotherapy agents, radiation therapy, radiosurgery, etc. The treatment regimen is developed for each patient on an individual basis, taking into account the particular clinical indications, needs and wishes of the patient.

The department operates the Sam Rothberg Center for Glaucoma Service and Research. It is one of the largest highly specialized medical facilities of this kind in Israel. It successfully practices various methods of glaucoma therapy, including eye drops, laser treatment and progressive surgery. The center annually treats about 800 glaucoma patients, including infants and young children. The competence of specialists covers the treatment of both primary and secondary glaucoma.

The young patients are treated by a specially trained team of pediatric ophthalmologists. The special attention is paid to strabismus correction, treatment of amblyopia and other visual impairments in children. Depending on the severity of the clinical case, surgical treatment can be performed on both an inpatient or outpatient basis. The department also carries out preventive routine examinations of premature infants for the diagnostics of retinopathy of prematurity, diagnostics of congenital cataract and glaucoma. Besides clinical practice, pediatric ophthalmologists participate in numerous scientific researches aimed at finding innovative treatment methods and optimizing already existing techniques.

The department's range of medical services includes:

• Diagnostics and treatment of cataract
• Diagnostics and treatment of glaucoma
• Diagnostics and treatment of retinal diseases
• Diagnostics and treatment of corneal diseases, including corneal transplantation (inhouse Eye Bank)
• Diagnostics and treatment of neuro-ophthalmic diseases
• Diagnostics and treatment of benign and malignant eye tumors
• Diagnostics and treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune eye diseases
• Diagnostics and treatment of dry eye syndrome
• Diagnostics and treatment of blepharitis
• Diagnostics and treatment of eye infections
• Diagnostics and treatment of traumatic eye injuries, including chemical burns
• Diagnostics and treatment of pediatric ophthalmic diseases (special focus on the treatment of strabismus, amblyopia, retinopathy of prematurity, congenital cataract, glaucoma)
• Oculoplastic surgery (plastic and reconstructive interventions on the periorbital area and face, including eyelids, eyebrows, forehead, cheeks, orbit and lacrimal apparatus)
• Other medical services