About EyeSustain
EyeSustain is a global coalition of eye societies, organizations, and ophthalmologists collaborating to make ophthalmic care and surgery more sustainable
Our Mission
- Engage, network, and educate our global ophthalmic community about more sustainable practices
- Support research and innovative solutions that reduce ophthalmology’s environmental impact
- Collaborate with industry to reduce our carbon footprint and surgical waste
- Collaborate with other medical specialties to reduce the carbon footprint of our healthcare system
- Support advocacy and education about the public health impact of climate change
Why do we waste so much? Why should we care?
In this 15-minute lecture, David F Chang MD explains why eye surgery generates so much unnecessary waste, and the evidence supporting the safety of reusable products.
Needless Waste and the Sustainability of Cataract Surgery
A 2019 report from Health Care Without Harm estimated that the healthcare sector is responsible for 4.4% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, and nearly 10% of emissions in the United States; 71% of these emissions come from the manufacture, use, and disposal of healthcare supplies. Studies comparing endophthalmitis rates at the Aravind Eye Hospital system and the AAO IRIS Registry suggest that much of our surgical waste is excessive and unnecessary.
Read or download this 2023 review and root cause analysis "Tackling the challenge of needless surgical waste in ophthalmology"
What do Ophthalmologists think about waste and how to reduce it?
How do ophthalmologists feel about reducing surgical waste? These three surveys – of Asian Pacific (APAO), European (ESCRS) and North American (ASCRS, AAO, OOSS, and COS) cataract surgeons - show strong willingness on the part of more than 3600 respondents to reduce waste through a variety of measures.
Sponsoring Societies (Click logo for resources)
Global Member Societies
Connect or Get Involved with EyeSustain
Learn more about how you can get involved with our sustainability efforts!