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Article | 2026 American Glaucoma Society Meeting

Implementing Sustainability: Why Small Changes Matter

At the American Glaucoma Society meeting, Aakriti Garg Shukla, MD, highlighted how small changes in surgical and clinic workflows can meaningfully improve sustainability across ophthalmic care.

By: Aakriti Garg, MD

Glaucoma Physician February 22, 2026

5 Key Takeaways

1

Aakriti Garg Shukla, MD, emphasized the importance of small changes in surgical and clinic workflows for improving sustainability in ophthalmic care.
2

The increasing disease burden of glaucoma correlates with rising clinic visits, procedures, and surgeries, highlighting the need for sustainable practices.
3

Reusing surgical products and reducing excessive packaging in the operating room can significantly enhance sustainability in glaucoma practices.
4

The AAO recommends multidosing pharmaceuticals to prevent waste, potentially saving hundreds of millions of dollars annually in cataract surgeries.
5

Frequent patient visits and long travel distances contribute to inefficiencies, underscoring the need for sustainable healthcare delivery systems.

Aakriti Garg Shukla

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

Affiliations: Columbia University

Specialties: Surgery

Bio: Aakriti Garg Shukla, MD, is an associate professor of ophthalmology at Columbia University. She is a glaucoma and cataract surgeon. At the 2026 American Glaucoma Society meeting in Palm Springs, California, Dr. Garg Shukla presented on sustainability in glaucoma practice. Her presentation addressed practical strategies for high-volume glaucoma and cataract settings, including reducing excessive operating room packaging, appropriate reuse of surgical products, and perioperative medication multidosing consistent with American Academy of Ophthalmology recommendations.

Aakriti Garg

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

Affiliations: Columbia University

Specialties: Surgery

Bio: Aakriti Garg, MD, is an associate professor of ophthalmology at Columbia University. She is a glaucoma and cataract surgeon whose work focuses on surgical and clinical care in ophthalmology, including issues relevant to high-volume glaucoma practice. At the 2026 American Glaucoma Society meeting, Dr. Garg Shukla presented on sustainability in glaucoma care, highlighting practical changes in clinic, operating room, and pharmaceutical workflows that can reduce waste while supporting patient care. Her recent professional commentary has emphasized sustainability strategies for glaucoma and cataract practices, including perioperative multidosing and reducing excessive operating room packaging.