Eyeworld

SUMMER 2025 | EYEWORLD | 17 Contact Erny: barbaraernymd@gmail.com by Barbara Erny, MD EyeSustain Advisory Board Setting a precedent for other medical specialties EyeSustain's comprehensive approach serves as a model for other medical disciplines devel- oping their own sustainability initiatives. The organization's leadership, myself included, has presented our development methodology to prestigious institutions, including the National Academy of Medicine, the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, and The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. Specialties like dermatology and infec- tious disease have taken note, seeking formal guidance from EyeSustain's experience. Through these efforts, ophthalmology is not only advancing environmental responsibility within its own specialty but providing a blue- print for sustainable healthcare practices across medicine. The cultural shift toward high-value, sustainable eyecare that EyeSustain champions through education promises benefits for clinical practices, patient outcomes, and planetary health in the years ahead. and waste management in ophthalmology all contribute to environmental challenges that ultimately affect public health. Professional accountability is being strengthened through collaboration with the American Board of Ophthalmology (see side- bar). Additionally, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) plans to incorporate sustainability into the core compe- tencies for ophthalmology residency education. Addressing knowledge gaps As sustainability in healthcare is a relatively new focus, most professors lack specific train- ing and knowledge in this area. EyeSustain is developing targeted educational materials for academic faculty and trainees to address this gap. Students and physicians from EyeSustain have already made progress through collabora- tive efforts with Climate Resources for Health Education (climatehealthed.org), contributing case studies and educational resources on pollu- tion's impact on eye health and the intersection of ophthalmology with health disparities. ABO sustainability by Cynthia Beauchamp, MD ABO Liaison to EyeSustain In 2021, the World Health Organization declared climate change to be the single largest health threat facing humanity. The American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) has a role in address- ing the threat, and that commitment starts in education. The ABO is part of EyeSustain's global coalition, which is committed to pro- moting the sustainability of eyecare. While the ABO's mission is to certify ophthalmologists, our guiding principles are consistent with support- ing sustainability. These guiding principles include promoting and recognizing aspirational goals, promoting excellence through continu- ous improvement, and collaborating whenever possible with professional societies that strive to advance excellence, such as EyeSustain. To promote the reduction in waste, the ABO has taken several steps. The administration of the oral boards has become greener; it will be ad- ministered in a blended fashion with candidates remote and examiners either remote or in per- son. Also, the ABO will be featuring a section in sustainability in ophthalmology in our Quarterly Questions, as part of continuing certification. Articles will highlight the importance of reduc- tion of waste in the office and in the operating room and supporting the surgical manufactur- ing industry to develop greener options. We will examine ways to safely promote sustainability and to be good stewards of the planet while staying true to infection precaution. Contact Beauchamp: clbeauchamp@yahoo.com

• Cover