Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41619024›Full record

ReviewInternational ophthalmology2026

Sustainability in vitreoretinal surgery: environmental impact and carbon emission reduction strategies.

Pelin Kiyat, Cumali Degirmenci, Serhad Nalcaci, Melis Palamar

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in International ophthalmology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Pelin KiyatDepartment of Ophthalmology, Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital Izmir, Izmir Democracy University, Izmir, Turkey. pelinkiyat@hotmail.com.
Cumali DegirmenciDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
Serhad NalcaciDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
Melis PalamarDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo analyze environmental sustainability in vitreoretinal surgery and evaluate evidence-based strategies for reducing carbon footprint while maintaining optimal patient outcomes.

methodsLiterature review using PubMed and Google Scholar databases focusing on vitreoretinal surgery's environmental impact and sustainable practices.

resultsVitreoretinal surgery generates significant carbon emissions through disposable equipment, building energy consumption, and tamponade gas utilization. Fluorinated gases represent the most environmentally damaging component, with SF₆ demonstrating 22,800 times greater global warming potential than CO₂. Despite being used in only 38.6% of procedures, SF₆ was responsible for 68.8% of total emissions in vitreoretinal surgery, demonstrating a 4.4-fold greater environmental impact compared to C₂F₆. Air tamponade offers up to 47% emission reductions for appropriate cases, while alternative gas selection achieves 50% reductions when longer-acting tamponades are necessary. Energy optimization protocols, waste segregation improvements, and packaging modifications provide additional reduction opportunities.

conclusionSustainable vitreoretinal surgery is feasible through evidence-based strategies that significantly reduce environmental impact without compromising patient safety. Key interventions include implementing air tamponade for appropriate cases and selecting alternative fluorinated gases with lower environmental impact. Implementation requires addressing regulatory barriers and cultural resistance through education programs and policy reform. The specialty should adopt the "5 R" framework for sustainable practice.

Indexed as

Carbon FootprintVitreoretinal SurgeryHumansCarbon footprintRetinaSustainabilityVitreoretinal surgery

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.