Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Elyia Levinger
28 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Corneal transplant | ≈ $6,500 | from $6,000 | ≈ $5,800 |
| Corneal ring implantation | ≈ $2,800 | from $2,000 | ≈ $2,300 |
| Corneal Cross Linking (CCL) (One eye) | from $4,500 | from $1,400 | ≈ $1,500 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Keratoconus treatment 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 Keratoconus 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 Keratoconus treatment journey.
Expert in corneal transplantation with extensive research in human vision – Dr. Levinger works at Sourasky Medical Center, one of Israel's leading hospitals.
Prof. Anat Loewenstein trained at Johns Hopkins' Wilmer Eye Institute – a leader in vitreoretinal surgery. She heads ophthalmology at Sourasky Medical Center.
Specializes in keratoconus at Sourasky Medical Center – brings 25 years of experience and advanced training from France and Switzerland.
Professor Yuval Yasur specializes in Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Surgery at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov).
Primary keratoconus treatments in Israel focus on stabilization and visual rehabilitation. Specialists utilize corneal collagen cross-linking to halt disease progression. Advanced options include intracorneal ring segments, topography-guided PRK, and partial-thickness corneal transplants. Procedures are performed at JCI-accredited facilities like Sourasky Medical Center.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology and ophthalmology hubs like Sourasky Medical Center serve over 400,000 patients annually. Our data shows that top surgeons like Dr. Elyia Levinger specialize in combining cross-linking with laser-guided resurfacing. This dual approach often provides better visual acuity than standard cross-linking alone.
Patient Consensus: Patients highlight that early intervention with accelerated cross-linking is highly effective for teens. Many note that custom scleral lenses from specialists in Tel Aviv can often achieve 20/25 vision without needing surgery.
Keratoconus cannot be cured or naturally reversed. Cornea thinning and structural changes are permanent. Israeli specialists focus on halting progression with corneal cross-linking. Treatments like corneal transplant or Intacs can reshape the eye. These methods stabilize the condition and improve functional vision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many think treatment ends after surgery, our data shows a different pattern. Successful outcomes in Israel often depend on combining procedures. For example, Dr. Elyia Levinger at Sourasky Medical Center specializes in both corneal transplantation and keratoconus correction. This dual expertise allows for better long-term vision management after the initial stabilization.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that corneal cross-linking acts as a freeze on the disease rather than a cure. Many wish they had started treatment earlier to avoid the need for last-resort transplants.
Israel hosts several high-authority centers for keratoconus management. Leading institutions include Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center. These facilities specialize in corneal cross-linking, ring implants, and complex transplants. Specialized surgeons like Dr. Elyia Levinger utilize advanced corneal mapping and OCT imaging for precise diagnostics.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While public hospitals like Sourasky and Hadassah lead in clinical research, many patients choose their private tracks to reduce wait times. For instance, Sourasky handles over 1,800,000 patient visits annually across 240 departments. Choosing a senior specialist like Prof. Yuval Yasur often ensures access to the latest corneal protocols. This volume-based expertise is a key indicator of surgical success in complex eye procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to prioritize the surgeon's specific experience with keratoconus over the hospital's general reputation. Many recommend Hadassah for its corneal team's reputation, though they suggest budgeting for private add-ons to bypass public hospital bureaucracy.
Leading corneal specialists for keratoconus in Israel include Dr. Elyia Levinger and Prof. Yuval Yasur at Sourasky Medical Center. These experts utilize advanced cross-linking and transplantation techniques. Israeli facilities like Hadassah Medical Center also host world-renowned specialists like Prof. Itay Lavy and Prof. Joseph Frucht-Pery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Sourasky Medical Center stands out for its massive scale, serving 1,800,000 patients annually with a staff of 2,200 doctors. This high volume allows specialists like Dr. Elyia Levinger to maintain exceptional proficiency in complex transplants. While many patients seek private clinics for speed, these large JCI-accredited institutions offer integrated diagnostic departments that smaller centers may lack.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need for early corneal topography scans rather than standard vision tests. They note that specialized corneal centers offer much more accurate contact lens fittings for irregular corneas.
Recovery after corneal cross-linking (CXL) typically lasts 1 week for initial surface healing. Corneal transplant stabilization takes 12 to 18 months for full visual recovery. Israeli specialists like Dr. Elyia Levinger at Sourasky Medical Center utilize advanced techniques to manage keratoconus progression and restore sight.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky Medical Center indicates that leading surgeons often prioritize specific techniques like epithelium-off CXL for advanced keratoconus. While this requires a stricter 5-day indoor recovery, it correlates with high success rates in halting disease progression. Choosing a JCI-accredited facility in Tel Aviv ensures access to specialists who manage complex suture adjustments for months post-transplant.
Patient Consensus: Patients note the first week after cross-linking is the most challenging due to extreme light sensitivity. They emphasize the importance of keeping the eye completely dry and following a strict schedule for steroid drops to avoid rejection risks.
Patients should plan to stay in Israel for 3 to 14 days depending on the procedure. Corneal cross-linking usually requires a 5-day stay for initial recovery. Complex corneal transplants require up to 14 days. This allows for mandatory post-operative monitoring and eye stabilization before air travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli centers like Sourasky Medical Center manage high patient volumes with over 1,800,000 visits annually. This experience allows specialists like Dr. Elyia Levinger to streamline pre-operative testing into a single day. Patients often save time by coordinating these diagnostics before arrival to shorten their total stay.
Patient Consensus: Patients suggest staying near the clinic for the first week to avoid travel during early recovery. They also note that vision remains hazy for 72 hours, making screen time and driving difficult immediately after the procedure.
You are a good candidate for corneal cross-linking if you have progressive keratoconus or ectasia. Your cornea must be at least 400 microns thick. Modern Israeli protocols require documented progression via Pentacam maps. The procedure is most effective for patients aged 10 to 35.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli specialists like Dr. Elyia Levinger at Sourasky Medical Center often utilize advanced topography-guided scans to customize treatment. Data shows that epi-off protocols remain the preferred standard in high-volume centers for achieving 90% stabilization. Patients with a Kmax over 60D should discuss adjunct procedures as cross-linking alone may be less effective in late-stage cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need to bring at least two topography scans from different dates to the consultation. Many note that intense post-operative discomfort typically lasts around 3 to 5 days before vision begins to stabilize.
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.