- Intravitreal injections are common procedures in retinal care but have a significant environmental impact, generating millions of kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions and medical waste each year.
- Simple changes, like minimizing patient visits and reusing shipping materials, can greatly reduce the environmental footprint of intravitreal injections without compromising patient safety.
- Despite concerns about infection prevention, a study found that using nonsterile gloves during intravitreal injections did not significantly reduce the risk of postinjection endophthalmitis.
- Cooperation among physicians, patients, industry partners, and regulatory institutions is needed to address sustainability in ophthalmology and make impactful changes in clinical practice.
- The discussion surrounding sustainability in clinical practice extends beyond clinicians to include industry, regulators, policymakers, and all stakeholders involved in patient care.
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Ophthalmology, Surgical, Medicine