In 2025, Ukraine and the world marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Academician Volodymyr Petrovych Filatov — an outstanding ophthalmologist, scientist, surgeon, and founder of the national school of ophthalmology.

To mark this anniversary, Professor Nadiia Fedorivna Bobrova, Head of the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmopathology at the V.P. Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, prepared a special presentation entitled “The Pictorial Legacy.”

This is quite unusual story about Academician Filatov for an ophthalmological audience. His name is primarily associated with outstanding scientific and medical achievements — the development of corneal transplantation, tissue therapy, plastic surgery, and numerous discoveries that shaped the development of ophthalmology in the 20th century.

However behind the image of the outstanding scientist stood  a person who possessed another great talent — a love of art and painting.

“Colleagues, I have a somewhat unusual presentation for the 150th anniversary of Academician Filatov, entitled ‘The Pictorial Legacy.’

I realise that ophthalmologists are familiar with Academician Filatov’s outstanding achievements — corneal transplantation, tissue therapy, the round stem for plastic surgery, and many others.

But, as he himself said: ‘If I had not become a doctor, I would definitely have become an artist.’”

Through paintings, photographs, and the words of the academician himself, Professor Nadiia Fedorivna Bobrova invites us to view Volodymyr Petrovych Filatov from a different perspective — not only as a brilliant scientist, but also as a person with a refined artistic perception of the world.

A special place in the presentation is occupied by unique photographic materials. Among them is a colour photograph taken by Shayer, the founder of the Institute’s film and photography laboratory, as well as photographs and works of art that help recreate the atmosphere of the era and the academician’s personal world.

“And here you can see this wonderful colour photograph. It was taken by Shayyer, the founder of our film and photography laboratory. Further on, we will also use the academician’s own words and quotes, as well as his works and photographs…”

The presentation became a kind of continuation of the discussion about V.P. Filatov’s legacy — not only his scientific legacy, but also his cultural, human, and artistic heritage.

It is symbolic that this story continues in 2026, when the V.P. Filatov Institute of Eye Diseases and Tissue Therapy of the NAMS of Ukraine celebrates its 90th anniversary.

90 years ago, Academician Filatov founded an institution that has become one of the leading centres for ophthalmological science, education and clinical practice. Today, the Institute continues to develop his scientific ideas, preserve the traditions of the Filatov School and pass them on to new generations of doctors and researchers.

“The Pictorial Legacy” offers an opportunity to see Academician Filatov not only through the eyes of his students and followers, but also through the eyes of the artist who lived within him alongside the scientist and physician.

150 years since the birth of Academician Filatov — in 2025.
90 years of the Filatov Institute — in 2026.

Two anniversary dates united by one story — the story of the great Filatov School.