Quantification of Annual Environmental Waste Generated by Intravitreal Injections: A Practice-Wide Analysis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Environmental Science
• Healthcare Waste Management

Background:

• Intravitreal injections are a common treatment for retinal diseases.
• The environmental impact of medical procedures is an increasing concern.
• Quantifying waste from intravitreal injections is essential for developing sustainable practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the annual environmental waste generated by intravitreal (IVT) injections in a retina group practice.
• To explore and identify methods for reducing waste associated with IVT procedures.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis was conducted to weigh disposed items from IVT injections.
• Physician variations in using optional items were compared.
• Total annual waste was extrapolated based on 2024 injection data.
• Waste reduction targets were identified and calculated.

Main Results:

• A total of 3.81 metric tons of environmental waste was generated from 92,622 IVT injections in 2024.
• Outer packaging boxes constituted the largest portion of packaging mass (46.3%–72.6%).
• Bevacizumab generated the least waste, while dexamethasone generated the most.

Conclusions:

• Key contributors to environmental waste from IVT injections were identified.
• Opportunities for waste reduction include prefilled syringes, improved packaging, digital inserts, and eliminating optional components.
• Physicians and manufacturers can reduce waste through procedural and packaging modifications.