Strategies for Sustainability and Cost Optimization in Corneal Transplantation: From Surgeons’ Perspective

The main purpose of this review is to provide an overview of surgical strategies that can be implemented in keratoplasty to maximize resource utilization and enhance sustainability. To achieve this, we conducted a thorough search of PubMed to identify articles on sustainability and cost-effectiveness in surgical settings, as well as studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of different keratoplasty techniques. Our review shows that both penetrating keratoplasty and lamellar techniques are cost-effective. However, lamellar techniques offer greater long-term sustainability and cost efficiency in addition to improving patient vision. For corneal transplantation surgeries, strategies such as reducing operating room time, properly educating the surgical team, reusing instruments like trephines and punches, using surgical materials economically, and selecting the appropriate surgical technique are recommended to enhance sustainability and reduce costs. The strategies outlined could contribute to more sustainable practices in keratoplasty procedures. In conclusion, although ensuring the economical use of surgical materials is beneficial for improving sustainability and reducing costs during surgery, utmost care should be taken to preserve safety and effectiveness while taking measures to reduce costs, and a balance should be achieved between sustainability and patient safety.