Sustainability in Ophthalmology: A Comparative Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Surgeons and Nurses

To assess and compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward sustainability among ophthalmic surgeons and nurses, and to explore factors influencing the implementation of sustainable practices in eye-care delivery.

Cross-sectional observational study.

Public and private hospitals and eye-care facilities across Saudi Arabia.

Licensed ophthalmic surgeons and nurses working in public and private hospital settings across Saudi Arabia.

An online questionnaire assessed sustainability-related KAP using binary and Likert-scale items. Scores were normalized to percentages and categorized as low, moderate, or high. Group differences were analyzed using independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Perceived barriers and institutional factors were explored descriptively and using Chi-square tests.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores related to sustainable behavior in ophthalmic care delivery.

A total of 83 respondents were included in this study. Ophthalmic surgeons demonstrated significantly higher attitude scores toward sustainability compared with nurses (66.1% ± 7.5 vs 54.1% ± 9, p < 0.001), while nurses achieved higher knowledge scores (67.1% ± 16.8 vs 42.7% ± 17.1, p < 0.001). Practice scores were comparable between groups (p = 0.1). Attitude (p < 0.001) and practice (p < 0.001) scores varied significantly by hospital type, highlighting differences in institutional engagement with sustainable ophthalmic practices.

Sustainability-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices vary across professional roles and healthcare settings in ophthalmology. Addressing these gaps through targeted education, multidisciplinary collaboration, and institutional support may enhance the integration of sustainable practices into routine ophthalmic care and contribute to more efficient and environmentally responsible service delivery.