On February 21-22, the 2nd All-Ukrainian Veterinary Ophthalmological Symposium was held in Kyiv. The event brought together more than 60 veterinary ophthalmologists and general practitioners from across Ukraine. The event became a platform for professional dialogue, the exchange of clinical experience, and discussion of modern approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies of the auxiliary apparatus of the eye in companion animals.
BIOTESTLAB, as one of the leaders of the Ukrainian veterinary medicines market, and the TOBRANORM brand acted as official partners of the event.
Symposium program
The symposium consisted of two parts. The first was a lecture held on February 21, featuring leading Ukrainian speakers. The special guest of the event was Marta Leyva, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain).
Topics included diagnostics and therapy of blepharoconjunctivitis and pathologies of the nasolacrimal system; management of retrobulbar and parabulbar pathologies; reconstructive surgery: skin plastic surgery for significant defects and surgical interventions on the eyelids.
In the second part of the day, a slide session on the analysis of clinical cases was held, conducted by Volodymyr Nesterchuk, an ophthalmologist, microsurgeon, and founder of the first narrow-profile ophthalmological veterinary clinic in Ukraine, “TVO”. The lecture day ended with the awarding of the poster session winners.
On February 22, three master classes were held at specialised clinics, conducted by Volodymyr Nesterchuk ("TVO"), Viktoriya Martsinchyk ("VetNova"), Bohdan Muzychuk and Kyrylo Chayka (Genesis Veterinary Hospital). Participants improved their practical skills in applying protective coatings, performing corneal plastic surgery, correcting defects caused by eyelid neoplasms, and performing other surgical interventions.
Presentation of products for veterinary ophthalmology
During the symposium, BIOTESTLAB presented new solutions for use in ophthalmology:
• TOBRANORM, the first eye drops in Ukraine based on tobramycin 0.3% for use in veterinary medicine;
• CRYSTAL EYES, a product for hygiene, restoration and comfort of the eyes, which includes chlorhexidine, glycerin, taurine and succinic acid.
During the presentation, Daryna Chernay, a clinical research specialist at the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Development Department of BIOTESTLAB, spoke about the key stages of TOBRANORM development, its therapeutic profile, and clinical efficacy.
Key theses of the presentation
- The development of the drug included pharmacological and microbiological studies of the sensitivity of ocular pathogens in animals to tobramycin; studies of the bioavailability and safety of the dosage form; and studies of the toxicological profile, optimal concentrations of the active substances, and composition of excipients.
- A clinical evaluation of efficacy and safety in dogs and cats for bacterial conjunctivitis, dacryocystitis, and other infectious eye lesions was conducted.
- The introduction of TOBRANORM enabled the replacement of off-label use of humane eye drops and the provision of standardised veterinary dosing with scientifically substantiated clinical efficacy in veterinary practice.
Educational support for the vet community
As part of the event preparation, BIOTESTLAB held two free webinars featuring practising veterinary ophthalmologists. Each online-event gathered over 200 participants.
You can view the recordings at the links (Ukrainian language):
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs: what a veterinarian needs to know (speaker — Aryna Nykandrova, “TVO”)
- Autoimmune and immune-mediated eye diseases in dogs and cats (speaker — Vadym Yakovenko, “TVO”)
BIOTESTLAB continues to support professional events that develop modern approaches in veterinary medicine and raise the standards of pet treatment.
Next event
VETSKILLS FELINOLOGY Congress is the largest event in feline medicine in Ukraine.
April 16-17, 2026, Kyiv. Details — follow the link
