The SI “The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the NAMS of Ukraine” has initiated an important collaboration with the NGO Modern View, headed by Olesia Perepechenko. The partnership aims to create a modern rehabilitation center at the Institute for people with vision loss and to implement a comprehensive approach to their medical, psychological, and social support.

For many decades, the Filatov Institute has been the leading scientific and clinical ophthalmological center in Ukraine, where specialists work every day to preserve and restore vision. However, even advanced medicine faces situations in which vision cannot be restored. In such cases, it is essential that person person is not left to face their problem alone.

A vivid example of this approach is the story of the patient Nadiia. After a long struggle with her disease, and despite all the possibilities offered by modern treatment, she completely lost her vision. Professor Oleksandra Zborovska not only provided medical care but also helped the patient take the next, equally important step by introducing her to Olesia Perepechenko, Head of NGO Modern View.

Olesia Perepechenko, who has herself been living without sight for many years, has dedicated her work to supporting people with visual impairment, including military personnel who lost their vision as a result of the war. The organisation's activities are based on the principle of "peer-to-peer support," whereby individuals who have personally experienced the process of adaptation help others learn to live independently and confidently.

Thanks to this support, Nadiya has mastered the skills of spatial orientation, safe mobility, self-care and independent living. Today she has a training for almost a year to become a rehabilitation coach for blind people and to help others navigate this challenging journey.

Stories such as this demonstrate the importance of close cooperation between medical care and social rehabilitation. The collaboration between the Filatov Institute and the NGO Modern View is intended to establish a continuous system of care in which patients, following diagnosis, receive not only highly qualified ophthalmic care but also psychological support, training in independent living skills, and an opportunity to return to active participation in society.

The creation of a rehabilitation centre at the Institute will be an important step in the development of modern ophthalmological care in Ukraine. Combining the scientific expertise of the Filatov Institute with the many years of practical experience of the NGO ‘Modern View “will enable the creation of a model for comprehensive support for people with irreversible vision loss, in line with best international practices.

The partnership between the Filatov Institute and the public organization Modern View demonstrates how cooperation between the medical community and civil society can not only provide treatment but also restore independence, dignity, and confidence in the future.

The SI “The Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the NAMS of Ukraine” sincerely expresses its gratitude to the NGO  Modern View and its Head, Olesia Perepechenko, for producing a video that highlights the importance of comprehensive support for people with vision loss. We are confident that the cooperation between the Filatov Institute and Modern View will contribute to the development of a modern rehabilitation system, helping people with visual impairment return more quickly to active and independent lives.