About Prof. Leibovitch
Prof. Igal Leibovitch – Director of the Ophthalmology Division, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Prof. Igal Leibovitch is an internationally recognized ophthalmologist and one of Israel’s leading specialists in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Oculoplastics). Having successfully performed thousands of complex eyelid and orbital procedures, Prof. Leibovitch is considered a premier clinical and surgical authority in his field.
His surgical and clinical expertise encompasses a comprehensive range of advanced procedures, including:
Eyelid Surgery: Ptosis (drooping eyelid) repair, cosmetic blepharoplasty, and advanced aesthetics of the upper face.
Tumors: Diagnosis, biopsy, and complete excision of benign and highly complex malignant tumors of the eyelids and the orbit.
Trauma & Reconstruction: Management of severe ocular trauma, orbital fractures, and complex reconstructions.
Inflammatory Orbital Diseases & Lacrimal Disorders: Surgical and conservative management of orbital inflammatory conditions (such as Thyroid Eye Disease) and complex lacrimal (tear duct) surgeries.
Prof. Leibovitch graduated from the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine in Jerusalem (1987–1994). Outstanding academic achievements earned him a selection into a prestigious delegation of top medical students representing the Jerusalem School of Medicine in the United States.
Following his medical internship at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem (1994), he served for several years in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a Battalion and Divisional Medical Officer.
He did his residency in Ophthalmology at the Department of Ophthalmology within the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) between 1999 and 2004. During his residency, he was honored as the Outstanding National Resident by the Israeli Ophthalmological Society and received a prestigious Award for Excellence from the medical center.
International Fellowships in Oculoplastic Surgery
Upon completing his residency in Israel, Prof. Leibovitch dedicated nearly three years to intensive, advanced sub-specialty fellowship training in ophthalmic plastic, orbital, and lacrimal surgery at two world-renowned international medical institutions:
The Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia (2004–2005): Where he gained profound surgical mastery in complex eyelid reconstructions, advanced orbital diseases, and tear duct surgery.
The Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA (2005–2006): Where he focused heavily on cosmetic eyelid surgery, upper face aesthetics, eyelid reconstructions, and the deployment of innovative, minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Leadership and Public Appointments at Ichilov Medical Center
Upon returning to Israel in 2006, Prof. Leibovitch integrated into the Ophthalmology Array at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and established the Oculoplastic, Orbital, and Lacrimal Surgery Unit, which he directed for many years.
Following his tenure as Acting Director of the Ophthalmology Division starting in September 2023, he was officially appointed as the Director of the Ophthalmology Array at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) in September 2024.
In his hospital practice, Prof. Leibovitch operates on and manages the most delicate and challenging cases referred to him regularly from all over Israel and abroad. His proven surgical volume and the specialized techniques he developed- which allow for the safe removal of deep-seated orbital tumors through micro, hidden incisions- provide his patients with significantly faster recovery times alongside uncompromised functional and aesthetic outcomes.
Academic Excellence, Research, and International Reputation
Prof. Leibovitch holds the rank of Full Professor of Ophthalmology at the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. He possesses a well-established international reputation, having published over 160 peer-reviewed medical papers, clinical reviews, and book chapters in leading global surgical textbooks.
Prof. Leibovitch served as an active reviewer for top-tier global ophthalmology journals, as an editorial board member, and as an editor for the Oculoplastics section.
He Served as Chairman of the Israeli National Board Examination Committee in Ophthalmology (2012–2014) and later as a member of the Supreme Examinations Committee of the Scientific Council of Israel.
Throughout his career, Prof. Leibovitch has been honored with numerous prestigious awards and recognitions:
The Excellence Project Award and Outstanding Physician of the Year at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.
The Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
The prestigious Uthoff Prize for Outstanding Researcher from Tel Aviv University.
Outstanding Teacher Award from the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University (2013).
Top Medical Rankings: Prof. Leibovitch is consistently selected year after year as one of Israel's best doctors in the field of ophthalmic surgery and oculoplastics by Forbes Israel, and is continually ranked among the leading physicians in Israel by Duns 100 (Dun & Bradstreet).
Private Practice and Consultations
The core of Prof. Leibovitch’s private practice is dedicated entirely to oculoplastics- both cosmetic and medical eyelid surgeries, orbital disorders, and lacrimal system reconstruction.
Consultation and Evaluation: Prof. Leibovitch’s private clinic is located in the prestigious Weizmann Tower, adjacent to the Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv. Here, patients receive meticulous clinical evaluations, precise diagnoses, comprehensive coordination of expectations, and dedicated, personal follow-up before and after surgery.
Surgical Facilities: Private surgical procedures are performed at Israel's premier, fully accredited private medical centers, licensed by the Ministry of Health and adhering to the highest professional and safety standards.