Greener intravitreal injections: a narrative review.

ABSTRACT

Healthcare services are significant contributors to climate change. Ophthalmology, by virtue of the volume of appointments and procedures it generates, is thought to play a major role in this regard. Intravitreal injections (IVI) are a commonly performed ophthalmological procedure to treat patients with conditions such as macular neovascularisation secondary to neovascular age-related macular disease or myopia, diabetic macular oedema, and retinal vein occlusions. As IVIs become more ubiquitous, addressing their environmental impact and sustainability will become increasingly important. Strategies to tackle carbon emissions from IVIs may target the following areas which align with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol scopes building energy; water consumption; travel to appointments; manufacture and procurement of the drug and other necessary materials; and waste disposal. We propose a path towards a more sustainable approach for IVIs, and discuss its potential safety as well as the patient experience.