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Potential environmental effect of reducing the variation of disposable materials used for cataract surgery
Nicolas Winklmair1, Gerhard Kieselbach, Julian Bopp
1From the Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery (VIROS), A Karl Landsteiner Institute, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria (Winklmair, Findl); Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (Kieselbach); Sphera Solutions GmbH, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Austria (Bopp); Academic Hospital St. John, Vienna, Austria (Amon); Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria (Amon).
Purpose:
To analyze the cataract package variability in 1 country, Austria.
Setting:
Austrian Departments of Ophthalmology.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Methods:
The cataract package components of 3 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.
Results:
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.
Conclusions:
There was a considerable variation in package composition and product size, which could provide opportunities to save carbon dioxide 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 CO 2 emissions could be reduced by 34%.
