EyeSustain

What EyeSustain does

EyeSustain is a global non-profit coalition founded on Earth Day 2022 to make ophthalmic care more economically and environmentally sustainable. It is co-sponsored by the three leading specialty societies — the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) — and has grown to encompass more than 55 member societies across 30+ countries, with pledge facilities on six continents. Its participants include practicing ophthalmologists, ambulatory surgery centers, hospital outpatient departments, academic medical centers, and ophthalmic manufacturers, alongside a c-suite-equivalent leadership drawn from past presidents of the major societies.

The coalition's product surface is a platform of free educational resources and practical tools rather than a commercial software product. Core assets include the EyeSustain-Zasti Carbon Footprint Calculator, the SIDICS Calculator (Sustainable Customized Instrument and Device Intervention Calculator System), the seven-goal Surgical Facility Pledge program, the OR Toolkit for Sustainability, the EyeRecycle initiative, an annual video competition, and a Research Library of 99+ specialty-specific resources. EyeSustain also drives multi-society position papers on multiuse phacoemulsification cassettes, topical drug waste, electronic IFUs, and ophthalmic instrument sterilization, and administers annual grants (ESCRS €10,000 research grants and AAO $1,000 Young Ophthalmologist Green Grants).

EyeSustain operates as a non-profit coalition with a freemium access model: all resources, calculators, position papers, and the Surgical Facility Pledge are free, while funding flows from donations, medical society sponsorship, and industry partnerships. Distribution is coalition-driven through member societies, the EyeSustain.org website, and partnerships with climate health organizations such as the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, IAPB, and ORBIS International. The organization is governed by an Advisory Board (chaired by Dr. David F. Chang, MD), an Editorial Board (chaired by Dr. Aakriti Garg Shukla, MD), a Medical Student Committee with seven sub-committees, and a multi-stakeholder Industry Advisory Board.

Name

EyeSustain

Legal name

EyeSustain

Website

https://eyesustain.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EyeSustain is a non-profit coalition of 55+ ophthalmology societies that provides free educational resources, sustainability calculators, and a Surgical Facility Pledge program to ophthalmologists, surgical facilities, and institutions worldwide, with co-sponsorship from ASCRS, ESCRS, and AAO.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: EyeSustain accepts donations from individuals and organizations committed to sustainability in ophthalmology. The initiative also administers grants such as ESCRS research grants (€10,000 for two ophthalmologists annually) and AAO Young Ophthalmologist Green Grants ($1,000 each for five recipients).
2. Sponsorship from Member Societies: EyeSustain is sponsored and supported by major ophthalmology societies including ASCRS, ESCRS, and AAO, which provide organizational and financial backing for the coalition's operations and initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

EyeSustain is a non-profit global coalition providing sustainability resources, digital tools, and advocacy programs for the ophthalmology community. It offers the Surgical Facility Pledge Program, online carbon footprint and SIDICS calculators, OR toolkits, position papers, and a 99+ resource library covering operating room waste, clinic waste, drug waste, and climate health impacts. All resources and tools are provided free of charge to ophthalmologists, surgical facilities, and member societies worldwide.

Product overview

EyeSustain is a global coalition of ophthalmology societies offering a platform of educational resources, practical tools, and advocacy programs focused on sustainability in eye care. The organization provides carbon footprint calculators (EyeSustain-Zasti Carbon Footprint Calculator, SIDICS Calculator), the Surgical Facility Pledge Program with seven sustainability goals, OR Toolkits for implementation guidance, and position papers on topics like multiuse phaco cassettes, drug waste reduction, and electronic IFUs. The organization does not offer a commercial software product but serves as an information and advocacy hub connecting member societies worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EyeSustain-Zasti Carbon Footprint Calculator A tool that helps facilities understand the impact of their operating room carbon emissions by answering questions about facility size, surgical volume, and estimated waste to generate an estimated carbon emissions report. Developed in partnership with Zasti. Targeted at ophthalmic surgical facilities worldwide.
• SIDICS Calculator (Sustainable Customized Instrument and Device Intervention Calculator System) A tool for evaluating the sustainability of customized cataract packs used by hospitals and surgical centers, allowing users to compare their packs against ESCRS benchmark recommendations and identify potential CO2 savings. Targeted at ophthalmic surgical facilities and hospitals.
• Surgical Facility Pledge Program A seven-goal pledge program where surgical facilities commit to promoting sustainability through education and collaboration. Goals include educating surgical staff about OR waste, standardizing surgical packs, using multidose medications, assessing patient gown necessity, evaluating reusable vs single-use products, assessing alcohol-based surgical scrub, and instituting recycling strategies. Available free to ophthalmic surgical facilities worldwide.
• OR Toolkit for Sustainability A comprehensive toolkit providing practical resources and guidance to help surgical facilities implement sustainable practices including sustainability education, surgical pack standardization, drug waste reduction, and reusable products. Available free to ophthalmic surgical facilities and ophthalmologists.
• EyeRecycle A recycling initiative and resource for ophthalmic surgical waste management. Targeted at ophthalmic surgical facilities seeking guidance on implementing recycling programs for surgical materials.
• ESCRS Sustainability Research Grants Annual research grants of €10,000 (approximately $11,000) awarded to two ophthalmologists, specialized nurses, or ophthalmic researchers. Administered by ESCRS in partnership with EyeSustain, with application deadline November 1, 2025. Targeted at ophthalmology researchers focused on sustainability.
• AAO Young Ophthalmologist Green Grants Annual grants of $1,000 awarded to five Young Ophthalmologist (YO) Academy members. Administered by AAO in partnership with EyeSustain, with proposals due January 2, 2026 and winners announced January 31, 2026. Targeted at young ophthalmologists for sustainability-focused proposals.
• EyeSustain Resource Library A curated digital library of 99+ specialty-specific resources covering topics including Health Impact of Climate Change, Sustainability in the OR, Sustainability in the Clinic, Drug Waste, and Global Green Practices. Available free to ophthalmologists, surgical facilities, and member societies.
• Multiuse Phaco Cassettes Position Paper A joint position paper on multiuse phacoemulsification cassettes released by ASCRS, ESCRS, APACRS, and LATAMSCRS, calling on industry to prioritize development of multiuse supply options. Targeted at ophthalmic manufacturers, policymakers, and ophthalmology societies.
• EyeSustain Sustainability Video Competition Annual sustainability video competition showcasing ophthalmologists' sustainability initiatives, with winners featured on the EyeSustain platform. Targeted at the global ophthalmology community to spotlight grassroots sustainability efforts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reusable instruments save £276,602 over 10 years compared to disposable instruments (UK oculoplastics study)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• AlconmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Alcon is featured on EyeSustain as a global leader in eye care integrating environmental responsibility across manufacturing, facilities, product design, and packaging. Alcon has implemented sustainable packaging and electronic IFU initiatives.
• Bausch + LombmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Bausch + Lomb is featured for its ONE by ONE Free Recycling Program and commitment to sustainability, with a published sustainability impact report.
• BVI MedicalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024BVI is highlighted for championing sustainable progress with global ESG initiatives, embedding environmental, social, and governance practices across operations.
• ZEISS (Carl Zeiss Meditec)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ZEISS is featured for its sustainability strategy aligned with business objectives, with environmental, energy, and health/safety management systems to reduce environmental impact.
• GlaukosmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Glaukos is featured for sustainability initiatives, with a published 2024 Sustainability Report available.
• Corza MedicalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Corza Medical prioritizes maintenance and education of instruments for ophthalmic surgery through ACT and BEST programs, aiming to create longer product lifecycles and reduce instrument replacement frequency.
• Johnson & Johnson VisionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Johnson & Johnson Vision is represented on the EyeSustain Industry Advisory Board through Erin Powers, VP, contributing to industry sustainability initiatives.
• Microsurgical TechnologiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Microsurgical Technologies offers a Diamond Blade Subscription Program to reduce waste from cataract surgery, represented by Erik Bonn, Chief Commercial Officer, on the Industry Advisory Board.
• Oertli Instrumente AGmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Oertli is featured for sustainability in ophthalmology through blog posts and is represented by Thomas Bosshard, Co-CEO and Board Member, on the Industry Advisory Board.
• Northwestern MedicinemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Northwestern Medicine partnered with Baxter to become first in the nation to recycle IV bags. Dr. David Palmer leads ophthalmology sustainability efforts, and the organization works with consultants to understand greenhouse gas emissions.
• ORBIS InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ORBIS creates women-led Green Vision Centers powered by solar energy in India, ensuring access to eye care while being energy-efficient. Staff use electric mopeds for outreach services.
• My Green DoctormajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024My Green Doctor is the world's leading practice management resource for healthcare clinics on environmental sustainability, available free to ophthalmologists with discount code MGDEYESUSTAIN.
• Columbia University Mailman School of Public HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Columbia's Climate and Health Medicine symposium for healthcare educators includes ophthalmology sessions featuring EyeSustain's Dr. David Palmer. Free 16-session certificate course available.
• Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024PSR educates health professionals about health consequences of climate change and mobilizes them to respond, working on coal-fired power plants, fracked gas, and clean energy advocacy.
• Climate Health NowminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024A group of California doctors and health professionals mobilizing the trusted voice of health professionals to advocate for rapid transition off fossil fuels toward renewable energy.
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024NRDC works with 3 million members and 700 experts to safeguard the earth, combining advocacy power with scientific and policy expertise.
• Aravind Eye Care SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Aravind Eye Care System in India serves as a global model for low-carbon eye care, demonstrating safe and sustainable ophthalmic care with reusable instruments. Their outcomes are better than UK's on various metrics despite using fraction of the carbon footprint.
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists (UK)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Royal College published new guidance on sustainable cataract surgery with recommendations for Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery, reusable gowns, alcohol-based hand rub, and rationalized surgical packs.
• SELCO FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SELCO Foundation provides alternative clean energy solutions for healthcare providers, discussed in EyeSustain resources on how eye care systems can adopt solar and other renewable energy.
• BaxtermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Northwestern Medicine partnered with Baxter to become first in the nation to recycle IV bags, a significant sustainability initiative in healthcare waste reduction.
• ASCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ASCRS is one of the three co-sponsoring societies of EyeSustain, providing foundational support and leadership. ASCRS members have been surveyed on surgical waste attitudes, and ASCRS has endorsed position papers on multidose medications and multiuse phaco cassettes.
• ESCRS (European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022ESCRS is one of the three co-sponsoring societies of EyeSustain. ESCRS offers €10,000 sustainability research grants annually to two ophthalmology researchers.
• AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022AAO is one of the three co-sponsoring societies and joined the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health in 2020. AAO offers $1,000 Green Grants to five Young Ophthalmologists annually.
• IAPB (International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021IAPB is at the forefront of promoting climate action within eye health through its Climate Action Working Group. They developed a practical guide to support the eye health community minimize environmental impact.
• Medical Society Consortium on Climate and HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016A consortium of 35+ major American medical societies advocating for climate health. ASCRS and AAO became the 29th and 30th societies to join in 2020. EyeSustain leadership (including Barbara Erny, MD) participates on the steering committee.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Broad incumbents

• Global Green and Healthy Hospitals: Global network of hospitals and health systems committed to reducing their environmental footprint. Shares EyeSustain's healthcare sustainability mission and coalition-based delivery model, with broader institutional (rather than specialty) focus.
• Practice Greenhealth: Leading US membership organization for healthcare sustainability, providing tools, awards, and advisory programs to hospitals and health systems. Comparable to EyeSustain in coalition/membership structure but focused on general hospital sustainability rather than a single specialty.
• Healthcare Without Harm: Global coalition of healthcare organizations, hospitals, and professionals working to reduce healthcare's environmental footprint. Shares EyeSustain's mission and coalition model, but operates across all of healthcare rather than a single specialty.

Direct peers

• IAPB Climate Action Working Group: Working group within the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness developing practical guidance for climate action in eye health. EyeSustain is a listed partner; it operates at the intersection of eye care and climate sustainability like EyeSustain.
• Center for Sustainable Healthcare: UK-based organization dedicated to sustainable healthcare, providing research, education, and tools for clinicians. Comparable to EyeSustain in mission focus and clinical-tool development, though it operates across specialties and primarily in the UK.
• Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health: Coalition of 35+ major American medical societies that advocates for climate health. EyeSustain's sponsoring societies (ASCRS, AAO) are members, and EyeSustain leadership sits on its steering committee — operating an analogous multi-society coalition model at the broader medical-specialty level.
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists (UK) Sustainability Programme: UK specialty society that has issued formal guidance on sustainable cataract surgery (referenced by EyeSustain). A specialty-society peer that is also producing sustainability content, though without EyeSustain's global, multi-society coalition structure.

Others

• Aravind Eye Care System: India-based integrated eye care provider cited by EyeSustain as a global model for low-carbon ophthalmic care using reusable instruments. Functions as both a content partner and a proof-of-concept implementer of EyeSustain's sustainable-practice recommendations.

Regional players

• Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care: Canadian healthcare sustainability coalition providing tools, education, and advocacy. Operates a similar coalition model to EyeSustain but at a national scope and across all healthcare rather than ophthalmology specifically.

Emerging players

• My Green Doctor: Practice-management sustainability resource for healthcare clinics, offered free to ophthalmologists through a partnership with EyeSustain. Operates in an adjacent sustainability-education niche with a clinic-level (rather than surgical-OR) focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eyesustain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@eyesustain
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eyesustain
• Facebookfacebook.com/eyesustainorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EyeSustain