The carbon footprint of cataract surgery in Spain

Abstract

Background and purpose: Climate change is one of the most important threats to human health nowadays. The healthcare industry produces a significant part of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The aim of this study is to assess direct and indirect GHG emissions due to cataract surgery in Spain to identify opportunities for improving.

Methods: This observational case series study estimates and analyses the carbon footprint of a single cataract surgery using phacoemulsification in Ávila Hospital. ISO standard 14064 was applied.

Results: The carbon footprint of a single cataract surgery in Ávila Hospital was 86.62kg CO₂eq. Medical and pharmaceutical equipment were responsible for 85% of GHG emissions.

Conclusions: Collaboration between pharmaceuticals and ophthalmologists is important to improve the environmental impact of cataract surgery. Future research is needed to introduce changes that do not compromise patient and surgeon safety. Green surgery models could play an encouraging role in the new global health scene.

Keywords: Carbon footprint; Cataract; Catarata; Cirugía; Environmental impact; Gases efecto invernadero; Greenhouse gases; Huella carbono; Impacto ambiental; Sostenibilidad; Surgery; Sustainability.