The carbon footprint and wastage of intravitreal injections

Abstract

Purpose: The healthcare system emits greenhouse gas emissions and produces waste that in turn threatens the health of populations. The objective of our study was to measure the ecological threat related to intravitreal injections.

Methods: Emissions were separated into scope 2 corresponding to Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) of the building, and scope 3 corresponding to travels (patients and staff), and life cycle assessment (LCA) of medical devices (MD) and pharmaceutics. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste for a single injection were first measured through a waste audit, and secondly anticipated theoretically with a calculator.

Results: The average GHG emissions and waste measured were 277kgCO2eq/IVI and 0.5kg/IVI, respectively. Pharmaceuticals were responsible for 97% of total emissions. Emissions unrelated to pharmaceuticals counted for 8.4kgCO2eq/IVI. GHG emissions and waste estimated with the calculator were 276kgCO2eq/IVI and 0.5kg/IVI, respectively, showing that the calculator was accurate.

Conclusion: Our study provides a puzzle piece to carbon footprint and waste assessment in the field of ophthalmology. It may help provide concrete data for future green vs. vision discussions.

Keywords: Carbon footprint; Déchets; Empreinte carbone; Injections intravitréennes; Intravitreal injections; Wastage.