Patients' Perspectives on Climate Change, Health, and Sustainability in Ophthalmology

Introduction: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in ophthalmology due to growing environmental, economic, and social responsibilities. Integrating sustainability into clinical practice requires not only advocacy by clinicians but also patients' collaboration and awareness. This study aimed to understand patients' perspectives on sustainability and the role attributed to ophthalmologists.

In this multi-item survey, ophthalmologic patients were assessed regarding their views on sustainability in general and in ophthalmology in particular. Levels of agreement were measured using a Likert scale.

In total, 105 patients were included. There was high agreement on statements that anthropogenic climate change is an urgent issue, requires action, and is impacting population health (all, ≥85%). Patients supported advocacy of ophthalmologists for more sustainability, and there was broad agreement (74%) that ophthalmology practices should become more environmentally sustainable. No clear trend was observed whether the healthcare sector is taking sufficient measures to become more sustainable and whether the carbon footprint of ophthalmology is smaller compared to other specialties (44% and 33% disagreed; 41% and 63% [strongly] agreed, respectively). Patients aged ≥70 years agreed significantly more than younger patients that healthcare plays an important role in fighting climate change. A similar trend was observed for female compared to male patients. Female and older patients also tended to express greater expectations for ophthalmologists to advocate for sustainability, along with a call for increased advocacy from legislators and ophthalmology societies.

Patients showed strong awareness of anthropogenic climate change and the need for ophthalmology to become more sustainable. Especially female and older patients tended to expect more advocacy from ophthalmologists, ophthalmological societies, and the legislators.