Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Background and Importance Intravitreal injections (IVIs) are essential treatments for retinal diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and retinal vein occlusion. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies, administered via IVI, inhibit abnormal retinal blood vessel growth, stabilising or improving visual acuity. As the population ages and nAMD prevalence rises, the use of IVIs is increasing, and since they, as other pharmaceuticals, significantly contribute to healthcare’s carbon footprint, it is necessary to evaluate their environmental impact alongside clinical efficacy. Aim and Objectives This study aims to quantify the carbon footprint of IVIs administered at Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark for three therapeutically equivalent anti-VEGF medications. The objective is to conduct a cradle to grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that offers a detailed environmental impact analysis and serves as a blueprint for future LCA studies in the healthcare sector, especially focusing on pharmaceuticals, demonstrating how this method can integrate the carbon footprint of a medication into prioritisation decisions. Material and Methods We conducted a mixed-methods observational study to assess carbon emissions (CO2eq) from cradle to grave of for a single IVI. We utilised a complete LCA to calculate CO2eqs for the anti-VEGF medications ranibizumab, aflibercept, and faricimab. The preliminary results presented here focus on the carbon footprint of the IVI procedure itself, accounting for emissions from all medical supplies, including production, transport, and disposal. Results The CO2eq for one IVI was 0.46 kg, 0.47 kg, and 0.47 kg for ranibizumab, aflibercept, and faricimab, respectively. Conclusion and Relevance This study highlights the carbon footprint of IVIs for three widely used, therapeutically equal, anti-VEGF therapies. While the CO2eq values are similar among the medications, ranibizumab had the lowest CO2eq, mainly due to its lower emissions related to packaging materials. Understanding these environmental impacts is crucial, especially as the demand for IVIs rises due to an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of retinal diseases. Moreover, this study serves as a comprehensive blueprint for conducting detailed LCAs for pharmaceuticals, promoting the integration of sustainability considerations into clinical decision making and encouraging environmentally conscious practices in ophthalmology. By understanding the carbon footprint of IVIs, we can help reduce healthcare’s environmental burden and optimise resource prioritisation. References and/or Acknowledgements Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest
Authors: A Suhr Thykjær, S Hansen, MM Hougaard Christensen, S Arnspang Pedersen
Institutions: Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4408376363