Clalit Launches Israel’s First Online Ophthalmology Service Offering Consultations Within Two Hours
Clalit Health Services has introduced Israel’s first online ophthalmology service, enabling patients to consult with eye specialists via video calls. The service provides diagnosis, prescriptions, and referrals as needed, with responses delivered within two hours of the initial request. This new offering is part of Clalit’s broader virtual care platform, Clalit NEXT, aimed at increasing accessibility to one of the most in-demand medical fields.
The service follows a successful year-long pilot in Clalit’s Southern District, where approximately 12,000 remote eye consultations were conducted. Due to the pilot’s success, Clalit plans to double the service’s capacity. Common reasons for online consultations included eye infections, styes, allergies, dryness, and subconjunctival hemorrhages. Data from the pilot showed that about 65% of users were between 19 and 55 years old, highlighting the demand for quick and accessible medical care without the need to visit clinics.
Dr. Eyal Walter, the medical director of the online ophthalmology service at Clalit, emphasized the importance of timely treatment in eye care. He noted that the service allows for rapid response to common eye issues that can be diagnosed remotely, providing initial treatment, prescriptions, and referrals while often sparing patients from clinic visits. Ronen Nudelman, Clalit’s Vice President and Head of the Community Division, added that the service significantly expands access to eye specialists, combining medical innovation with convenience and quality.
The online ophthalmology service operates Sunday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. It is designed for common conditions such as eye infections, styes, itching, redness, eyelid lesions, and eye hemorrhages but is not intended for emergencies. Patients experiencing eye trauma, suspected foreign bodies, chemical exposure, sudden vision disturbances, or double vision are advised to seek immediate emergency care. The service is available for all ages from birth to 120 years, with a quarterly fee of 31 shekels.
Rabbi Avraham Konski, head of Clalit’s Haredi department, described the launch as a significant advancement for millions of Clalit patients, reflecting the organization’s commitment to medical innovation alongside accessible, high-quality care. Clalit continues to invest in digital solutions that provide professional and rapid treatment without compromising medical standards.
