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Sustainable ophthalmology: an overview of concepts and practices

Eye volume 39, pages 2846–2851 (2025)Cite this article

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Abstract

Climate change and global warming are significant global challenges, with healthcare systems contributing substantially to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. (1) This review examines the environmental impact of ophthalmic care, focusing on energy consumption, surgical waste, single-use supplies, and patient travel. Strategies to reduce the carbon footprint include adopting telemedicine, digital records, energy-efficient infrastructure, and sustainable surgical practices like reusing instruments, recycling, and minimising waste. Decentralising eye care and increasing the proximity of services to people and the community, for example, doorstep healthcare, can further lower travel-related emissions. Sustainability also aligns with financial efficiency, particularly in resource-limited settings where affordability is critical. Collaborative efforts among policymakers, industry, and clinicians are vital to fostering environmentally conscious ophthalmic care. This article highlights actionable strategies to integrate environmental responsibility into ophthalmology, balancing quality care, cost efficiency, and sustainability for a greener future in healthcare.

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Funding

This work was funded by the Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation. Adoptic models of doorstep health care models.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smt. Kanuri Santhamma Center for Vitreoretinal Diseases, Anant Bajaj Retina Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India

    Anjali Maheshwari, Vivek Pravin Dave, Rajeev Reddy Pappuru & Taraprasad Das

  2. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Francesc March de Ribot

  3. University of Girona, Girona, Spain

    Francesc March de Ribot

  4. Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy

    Mario R. Romano

  5. Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MA, USA

    J. Fernando Arevalo

  6. Department of Ophthalmology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Şengül Özdek

  7. Sydney Retina Clinic & Sydney Eye Hospital, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Andrew Chang

  8. University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

    Andrew Chang

  9. Center of Excellence for Vitreous and Retinal Disease, Department of Ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Paisan Ruamviboonsuk

  10. Cornea and Anterior Segment Services, Shantilal Shaghvi Cornea Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

    Merle Fernandes

  11. Cornea Service, Shantilal Shanghvi Cornea Institute, Hyderabad, India

    Merle Fernandes

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  1. Anjali Maheshwari
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  2. Vivek Pravin Dave
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Contributions

Anjali Maheshwari – Review of literature, Manuscript preparation. Vivek Pravin Dave – Conceptualisation and Methodology, Manuscript editing and final review. Francesc March de Ribot – Formal analysis, Manuscript editing and final review. Mario R. Romano- Manuscript editing and final review, Methodology. J Fernando Arevalo - Manuscript editing. Şengül Özdek – Manuscript editing and final review. Andrew Chang – Formal analysis, Manuscript editing and final review. Paisan Ruamviboonsuk - Manuscript editing and final review, Methodology. Rajeev Reddy Pappuru – Manuscript editing and final review, Manuscript drafting. Merle Fernandes – Manuscript editing and final review. Taraprasad Das - Manuscript editing and final review, Manuscript drafting.

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Correspondence to Vivek Pravin Dave.

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Maheshwari, A., Dave, V.P., March de Ribot, F. et al. Sustainable ophthalmology: an overview of concepts and practices. Eye 39, 2846–2851 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-025-03999-5

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