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Sustainable ophthalmology: Eye care with a vision for climate-smart surgery
Ophthalmic practice and surgeries generate a staggering amount of waste on a daily basis, including packaging along with single-use disposable surgical devices, medical supplies and unused topical eye drops and ointments. Ocular surgery also has a significant climate footprint, especially cataract surgery, a surgery performed millions of times annually in the United States and globally. Perioperative health professionals are concerned about the magnitude of OR waste. A survey of more than 1,300 cataract surgeons and nurses found that 93% believed that OR waste is excessive and should be reduced, 79% preferred reusable over disposable instruments, 90% were concerned about climate change, and 87% wanted medical societies to advocate for reducing the surgical carbon footprint. Recognizing the significant climate footprint of ocular care and surgery, along with the ways that climate change adversely impacts eye health, ophthalmologists are successfully advocating for climate-smart policies in their institutions, their industry, and beyond. Come to this session and be inspired by ophthalmologists who are making a difference in the fight against climate change and leading the sustainable surgery movement.