Potential environmental impact of reducing the variation of disposable materials used for cataract surgery.

Abstract

Health care is estimated to be responsible for 5-10% of carbon emissions globally. Determining the CO2 emissions of medical interventions such as cataract surgery could provide opportunities for carbon reduction. The majority of cataract associated emissions are attributed to the procurement of surgical materials. Aim of this study was to analyse the cataract package variability in one country, namely Austria. Austrian Departments of Ophthalmology. Cross-sectional study. The cataract package components of three different Austrian hospitals were weighed and life cycle assessment on each product performed. This data was then extrapolated to the sales figures of the main Austrian cataract package suppliers to estimate the carbon footprint of all cataract packages used in Austria in 2021. There were 55 different cataract package compositions in use with an average weight of 0.7 kg. These compositions differ significantly in weight and composition considering that the smallest package was 57% lighter than the largest package. The size of the surgical drapes also showed considerable variation, with a difference of up to 71%. This is substantial, considering that drapes and covers account for about 53% of the package weight. There was a considerable variation in package composition and product size, which could provide opportunities to save CO2 emissions in cataract surgery. If all Austrian eye departments were to reduce the material quantities and drape sizes to the lower third of the cataract packages used in the Austria in 2021, cataract package associated CO2 emissions could be reduced by 34%.