Mobilisation from 18 May: what eye diseases are not eligible for service

16 May 2024 12:18

The new law on mobilisation in Ukraine introduced significant changes to the definition of fitness for military service. One of the key innovations was an updated list of visual impairments that do not allow people to serve in the army. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to an updated order of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The new law on mobilisation has cancelled the status of those with limited fitness for military service. This status is no longer valid in Ukraine, and therefore the military medical commission will be able to make only two conclusions on fitness for military service: fit or unfit.

Thus, persons who had the status of partially fit must undergo a second military medical examination within 9 months from the date of publication of the law, which will result in a new conclusion.

What eye diseases are not subject to mobilisation

A man may be declared unfit for service and removed from the military register if he has

pronounced anatomical defects of the eyelids, orbit, conjunctiva with significant visual or motor impairment in both eyes;
severe diseases of all parts of the eye and its appendages in both eyes with frequent exacerbations or progressive decline in visual functions (scars, opacities, degenerative changes, cataracts, optic nerve diseases, etc;)
detachment and rupture of the retina of any etiology in both eyes;
severe glaucoma in both eyes;
persistent paralysis of the motor muscles of the eyeball in the presence of diplopia;
myopia or hyperopia of either eye in one of the meridians of more than 12.0 D;
blindness of one or both eyes;
absence of one or both eyeballs.

Eye diseases for which people are called up to the Armed Forces

The MoD order defines a list of eye diseases that can be used to mobilise a man:

slightly pronounced anatomical changes or defects in the position of the eyelids, orbit, conjunctiva, moderate or slightly pronounced diseases of the eyelids, tear ducts, orbit, conjunctiva in one or both eyes without impairment of visual or motor functions of the eyes;
ophthalmic hypertension in one or both eyes;
myopia or hyperopia of either eye in one of the meridians of more than 3.0 D and up to 6.0 D;
astigmatism of any kind with a difference in refraction in the two main meridians of more than 2.0 D and up to 3.0 D;
dichromasia, abnormal trichromasia of any type.

Men with these lists of eye diseases are fit for service in military support units, TCCs and SPs, higher education institutions, training centres, institutions, medical units, logistics, communications, operational support and security units:

pronounced anatomical changes or defects in the position of the eyelids, orbit, conjunctiva with significant visual or motor impairment in one eye or moderate impairment in both eyes;
severe diseases of the eyelids, lacrimal tract, orbit, conjunctiva in one or both eyes;
severe diseases with progressive, significantly reduced visual functions and frequent exacerbations in one eye or moderately severe in both eyes;
any etiology in one or both eyes after successful surgical treatment;
all forms of glaucoma H40-H42 in the advanced stage in one eye or in the initial stage in one or both eyes;
visual disorders associated with diseases of the eye muscles, disorders of joint movements, all forms of strabismus H49-H51 in the absence of diplopia;
conjugate strabismus in the absence of binocular vision;
myopia or hyperopia of either eye in one of the meridians of more than 6.0 D and up to 12.0 D or astigmatism of any kind with a difference in refraction in the two main meridians of more than 3.0 D
visual acuity of both eyes with correction up to 0.5;
visual acuity of one eye with correction above 0.5 with visual acuity of the other eye with correction up to 0.2.

Temporarily unfit (in need of treatment, leave, or release from duty) are people with conditions following acute eye and accessory apparatus diseases or surgical treatment.

The new law will come into force on 18 May.

The only exceptions are the twelfth and thirteenth paragraphs of subparagraph 2 of paragraph 8 of Section I of this law, which come into force eight months after the day following the day of publication.

It should be added that within 60 days after the law comes into force, all conscripts, persons liable for military service and reservists must update their military registration data – at the military registration and enlistment office, the ASC or through an electronic cabinet.

What does the law on mobilisation provide for?

The main provisions of the document are as follows:

The provision on the right to demobilisation of people with disabilities remains.
Demobilisation in connection with the release from captivity (if servicemen do not express a desire to continue military service).
Those found to be partially fit will be obliged to re-evaluate within 12 months.
Servicemen and women who sign their first contract are entitled to compensation of 50 per cent of the down payment on a mortgage-backed loan.
Those who received a 2-3 disability group after 24 February 2022 (except for military personnel) are subject to a second medical examination to determine their fitness for service.
During mobilisation, men are required to have a military registration document with them and present it at the request of a representative of the CCC or a police officer. The process of document verification can be recorded on camera or phone.
In the border area and at border crossing points, a border guard may require you to present your military registration document.
Restrictions on driving vehicles for men of the appropriate age at the request of the MCC.
Citizens who are registered with the military may voluntarily register an electronic account of a conscript, person liable for military service or a reservist.
Military personnel are entitled to compensation of 50% of the down payment on a mortgage when entering into their first contract.
Persons liable for military service aged 18 to 60 will be able to obtain documents at foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine only if they have military registration documents .
Persons liable for military service will also be able to obtain a passport and a foreign passport if they have their military registrationdocuments with them.
All servicemen are to be paid a monthly remuneration of UAH 10,000.
Those who evade mobilisation will be punished by a temporary restriction on driving vehicles, based on a court decision.
Instead of conscription, it is planned to introduce basic military service for citizens aged 18 to 25. They will be able to choose the period of service until they reach the age of 24.
There are no plans for compulsory mobilisation of women. They are subject to military registration if they are fit for military service for health and age reasons and have received medical or pharmaceutical education. Women who are registered for military service may be called up for military service during martial law on a voluntary basis.
uAH 70 thousand in monthly payments to those who participate in combat operations “from scratch”.