Environmental impact of cataract surgery and strategies for mitigation: a life cycle assessment in an academic hospital
The main environmental hotspots of cataract surgery were patient travel and disposable products. The most effective mitigation strategy to reduce the carbon footprint is implementing ISBCS. Additional mitigation strategies include reducing the use of disposable products, encouraging sustainable travel options, and switching to renewable energy. These findings highlight opportunities for ophthalmologists to contribute to more sustainable surgical care.
Authors
- Rosalie van Zelm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2365-9436)
- Sjoerd Elferink (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4345-7356)
- Anne B. Ottenbros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5941-4852)
- Pleun Hemelaar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6248-415X)
- Egid M van Bree (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2770-4097)
- Hugo R. W. Touw (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5970-0157)
- Tim Stobernack (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8512-6328)
- Evelyn A Brakema (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7376-4648)
- Emma J. Kooistra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5359-4840)
- Niels Crama (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2312-1537)
- Laura Golsteijn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1696-4408)
- Floris Hermeling
Institutions
- Leiden University (NL)
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Radboud University Medical Center (NL)
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (NL)
- Flevoziekenhuis (NL)
- PRé Consultants (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
- Published
- 2025-09-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001777
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.60
Funders
- ZonMw