Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Elyia Levinger
28 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
Ophthalmology in Israel typically costs from $4,400 to $11,500. Total expenses depend on the complexity of the surgical intervention, the type of intraocular lenses used, and the clinical setting. International patients can expect 30-50% savings compared to the US for advanced eye care procedures.
Typical Ophthalmology Costs in Israel
Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Herzliya are the primary hubs for ophthalmic care. While prices remain relatively consistent across these centers, private facilities in Tel Aviv may have specialized packages. To get an accurate price for your specific vision needs, consult with a specialist.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Vitrectomy | ≈ $5,200 | from $4,300 | ≈ $4,200 |
| Strabismus treatment | ≈ $3,800 | from $1,200 | ≈ $2,500 |
| Strabismus surgery | ≈ $4,200 | from $1,800 | ≈ $3,200 |
| Retinal detachment surgery | ≈ $7,500 | from $2,600 | ≈ $7,500 |
| ReLEx SMILE eye surgery | ≈ $3,600 | from $1,400 | ≈ $3,600 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Ophthalmology treatment upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Ophthalmology treatment and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.
Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Ophthalmology treatment journey.
Leading Israeli expert in corneal transplantation and cataract surgery – Dr. Levinger performs high-volume lens and corneal procedures at Sourasky Medical Center.
Head of Pediatric Ophthalmology at Sourasky Medical Center – Dr. Stolovich specializes exclusively in children's eye care.
Prof. Leibovitch is a distinguished ophthalmologist with multiple awards, including recognition from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He specializes in oculoplastic and orbital surgery.
Written by Mariia Mytrofankina
Written by Anna Shchur
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
Written by Anna Shchur
Written by Veronika Kazina
Cataract surgery in Israel is highly safe with a 98% success rate in restoring vision. Board-certified ophthalmologists perform the procedure using advanced techniques like phacoemulsification. Many facilities, including Assuta and Sourasky, hold Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for safety.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear trend where top-tier Israeli hospitals, like Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky, treat over 1,500,000 patients annually. This massive volume allows surgeons to maintain peak technical proficiency. Patients choosing these high-volume centers benefit from institutional experience that smaller clinics rarely match.
Patient Consensus: Patients note the procedure feels routine and safer than the drive home. They emphasize that the efficiency and technical skill of the surgeons make the experience smooth and worry-free.
Israel provides advanced bladeless laser systems and robotic-assisted platforms for vision correction. Facilities utilize femtosecond lasers for high-precision corneal reshaping and cataract fragmentation. These technologies include ReLEx SMILE, customized Wavefront LASIK, and premium intraocular lens implants to restore clear vision at all distances.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli centers like Sourasky Medical Center often integrate high-volume surgical data into their AI-driven platforms. This volume, with over 34,000 operations annually, allows surgeons to refine laser calibration for specific corneal profiles. Patients benefit from this specialized expertise, particularly in complex vitrectomy cases performed with small-incision technology for faster healing.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to choose surgeons with specific experience in technology like the VisuMax laser. Many emphasize that the precision of these electronic systems provides immense peace of mind during the procedure.
Medical tourists should plan a 7 to 14 day stay in Israel for eye surgery. Cataract procedures typically require 7 to 10 days for essential follow-ups. Refractive surgeries like LASIK or ReLEx SMILE often need 10 to 12 days to ensure vision stabilizes before long-haul flights.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli clinics like Sourasky and Assuta operate with high efficiency. Our data shows patients often complete cataract surgery on day 2 and a final check on day 4. This speed allows extra days for sightseeing in Tel Aviv before the required one-week flight clearance.
Patient Consensus: Patients mention that vision clears quickly, often reaching 20/20 by the second week. They also note it is helpful to pack extra lubricating drops and high-quality sunglasses for the bright Israeli sun.
Laser vision correction suitability in Israel requires you to be at least 18 years old. Your prescription must remain stable for 12 months. Specialists like Dr. Elyia Levinger at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) also evaluate corneal thickness and overall ocular health. Digital screenings effectively identify preliminary candidates before travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology and surgery centers like Sourasky or Sheba Medical Center are among the world's most popular. Our data shows these facilities often maintain stricter safety protocols for international patients. They frequently reject 20–30% of borderline candidates during remote screenings to prevent complications. This conservative approach is why these JCI-accredited hospitals report such high success rates.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that uploading recent corneal scans from a local doctor can save an unnecessary trip. Some mentioned getting a preliminary greenlight in 48 hours, though an in-person exam is always the final step.
Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa are the primary medical clusters for ophthalmic tourism in Israel. These hubs host JCI-accredited facilities specializing in retinal surgery, corneal transplants, and ocular oncology. Patients access advanced laser technologies and expert care from internationally recognized professors at leading academic centers.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Tel Aviv functions as a high-efficiency hub where private centers like Assuta allow patients to choose their specific attending physician. This city also sees the highest volume of international requests. Data shows clinics with over 90,000 operations annually, like Assuta, often provide faster scheduling for elective laser procedures than the large public university hospitals.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Tel Aviv is ideal for combining quick consultations with a beach recovery. Those with complex retina cases specifically recommend Jerusalem for its world-class professors who often have US-based training.
Israel is a premier neurosurgery hub due to its fusion of high-density medical innovation and elite surgical expertise. Top facilities like Sheba Medical Center integrate AI-guided navigation and real-time intraoperative MRI. Specialized centers report 98% success rates for complex procedures including awake craniotomy and movement disorder treatments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear divide between public and private options in Israel. Private centers like Assuta Medical Center perform over 92,000 operations annually and allow patients to select their specific lead surgeon. This is a vital advantage for complex cases where a specific expert like Dr. Eli Ashkenazi is preferred for his 1,000+ spine surgery record.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing original imaging on a USB for local review to streamline the surgical plan. They also note that private packages often include hotel coordination and airport transfers, making the logistics much smoother.
Israeli neurosurgeons treat a full spectrum of conditions ranging from brain and spinal tumors to complex functional disorders. Specialized centers utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, deep brain stimulation, and intraoperative MRI to manage epilepsy, Parkinson disease, and cerebrovascular pathologies with high precision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals often combine specialties to handle complex cases. At Sourasky Medical Center, neurosurgeons like Dr. Zvi Lidar bridge neurosurgery and orthopedics for spinal care. This multidisciplinary approach allows clinics to perform 34,000+ operations annually. Choosing a facility with this crossover expertise often leads to more comprehensive treatment plans for degenerative diseases.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the ability to access specialized treatments like fluorescence-guided surgery for tumors which are often unavailable elsewhere. Many note that the staff is fluent in English and provides clear communication through teleconsultations before traveling.
Israel is home to world-renowned neurosurgery centers like Sourasky Medical Center, Sheba Medical Center, and Hadassah Medical Center. These facilities are globally ranked for treating complex brain tumors, spinal disorders, and movement diseases. They utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, robotic systems, and intra-operative MRI.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that while most patients focus on Tel Aviv, Rambam Medical Center in Haifa offers unique expertise in neuro-trauma. It operates a specialized neuro-ICU and serves nearly 1 million patients annually. This makes it an essential choice for complex post-trauma brain surgeries that requires intensive recovery support.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to start consultations early. They often highlight that the precision and follow-up care for complex brain tumors exceeded their expectations. One patient emphasized how quickly they could connect with top professors for second opinions during critical neurosurgical cases.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Prof. Zvi Ram, Prof. Shlomi Constantini, and Prof. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These specialists hold leadership roles in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN). They utilize advanced intraoperative mapping and robotic systems.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky and Sheba indicates a strong correlation between high surgical volumes and patient safety. For example, Sourasky performs 34,000+ operations annually with a 90% oncology success rate. Patients seeking complex tumor removals should prioritize centers like these where surgeons perform hundreds of specific cases each year.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of finding a surgeon who specializes specifically in your condition rather than a generalist. Many note that high-volume centers provide better access to English-speaking staff and coordinated care for international visitors.
International neurosurgery patients in Israel must provide comprehensive medical records including recent MRI or CT scans translated into English. Admission requires a clinical review by specialists to confirm treatment feasibility. Hospitals often mandate full advance payment or a significant deposit before confirming surgery dates or issuing visa support letters.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top Israeli facilities like Sheba Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center handle massive patient volumes, exceeding 1,000,000 people annually. This high demand means clinics prioritize complex or rare cases over routine procedures. Patients with unique or high-risk conditions often receive faster admission approval than those seeking standard treatments available elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that having all imaging results ready in English is essential for quick scheduling. Many emphasize that while the medical care is excellent, coordinating around Shabbat closures is necessary to avoid unexpected diagnostic delays.
A standard stay for neurosurgery in Israel ranges from 10 to 14 days for uncomplicated cases. Patients undergoing complex procedures like brain tumor removal or deep brain stimulation often require 4 to 6 weeks. This timeline covers pre-operative diagnostics, the surgical procedure, and essential post-operative monitoring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky Medical Center shows they treat over 400,000 patients annually with high success rates. Clinics with such high volumes, like Hadassah or Assuta, often have streamlined discharge protocols. This helps international patients transition to hotel-based recovery faster while maintaining access to top specialists.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is vital not to rush home too early. Some travelers extended their stay to 3 weeks due to swelling or to ensure they received final surgeon clearance before flying.
Israeli neurosurgery uses robotic guidance, real-time 3D imaging, and incisionless technologies to minimize physical trauma. Systems like Mazor Robotics provide sub-millimeter precision for spine implants. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treats tremors without incisions. These advanced tools ensure high accuracy and reduce recovery times.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli clinics like Sourasky or Hadassah integrate proprietary Israeli-born technologies like Surgical Theater before they hit global markets. Our data shows these centers often use VR flight-through models for pre-surgical planning. This allows surgeons to rehearse complex cases, which is a key factor in their 90% success rates.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that technologies like the Gamma Knife allowed them to return home in days rather than weeks. Many move from traditional 10cm incisions to cuts under 2cm when using robotic-assisted systems.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery due to its integration of proprietary medical innovations and internationally trained specialists. High-capacity centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) perform over 34,000 annual surgeries. Patients access advanced techniques like awake craniotomy and MR-guided focused ultrasound.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out because of the high concentration of dually certified experts. Many top surgeons, such as Dr. Zvi Lidar, are certified to practice in both Israel and the USA. This ensures that patients receive American-standard surgical care while staying in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Our data shows that private centers like Assuta offer significantly faster access to these specific specialists compared to the public system.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to confirm a surgeon's specific volume of cases for your exact condition. They also value the ability to get expert second opinions quickly through online consultations with world-renowned professors.
Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) are among the best neurosurgery hospitals in Israel. These JCI-accredited facilities perform thousands of operations annually. They utilize advanced technologies like CyberKnife and intraoperative MRI to treat complex brain tumors and cerebrovascular lesions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top Israeli centers like Sourasky and Hadassah perform over 40,000 total operations yearly. This high volume allows surgeons to maintain a 90% success rate even in complex oncology cases. Patients seeking robotic spine surgery or deep brain stimulation should focus on these high-capacity municipal centers for the most experienced teams.
Patient Consensus: Patients appreciate that some hospitals quickly coordinate consultations even during regional strikes. Families of pediatric patients especially value surgeons trained at prestigious international institutions.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Professor Zvi Ram, Professor Shlomi Constantini, and Professor Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These experts specialize in awake craniotomy, pediatric brain tumors, and functional mapping. Most hold JCI accreditation and international fellowships from institutions like Johns Hopkins and Yale.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top-tier Israeli neurosurgeons, such as those at Sourasky Medical Center, often hold dual board certifications in Israel and the US. This unique crossover ensures patients receive American-standard protocols. These specialists typically manage over 34,000 annual operations, providing high-volume clinical experience that smaller private clinics cannot match.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that highly qualified doctors like Professor Shlomo Constantini provide satisfactory answers quickly. People emphasize that outcomes often depend on the hospital’s integrated resources rather than just a doctor's prestige.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery, treating complex brain and spinal conditions using robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques. Highly specialized units at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Hadassah Medical Center focus on neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, and functional procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgical departments often function as rapid-response hubs for international patients. Data shows that large centers like Sourasky, which serves 1,800,000 patients annually, can organize expert video consultations in a very short time. This speed is critical for neuro-oncology cases where starting treatment a few days earlier significantly impacts outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Israeli teams often accept high-risk cases that other hospitals decline. They emphasize the importance of using local coordinators to manage travel logistics or potential local disruptions during their two-week stay.
International patients traveling to Israel for neurosurgery require a valid passport, an entry permit or medical visa, and a formal hospital invitation. You must provide recent MRI or CT scans in DICOM format and detailed medical summaries. Proof of private health insurance and financial stability are also mandatory for border entry.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top neurosurgeons at Hadassah Medical Center and Sourasky often request records 4–6 weeks before arrival. Submitting these early prevents appointment shifts. High-volume centers with over 30,000 annual operations have dedicated portals for secure DICOM file uploads. Using these ensures your surgeon reviews high-quality images before you land in Tel Aviv.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing physical copies and digital backups of all scans on a USB drive. They also note that private insurance needs pre-authorization specifically for neurosurgery to avoid payment delays at the clinic.