What is sustainable eye care?
Sustainable eye care is an initiative to reduce the optical industry's environmental impact. Vision correction and sight-saving services are important for quality of life. But certain materials, like plastic, are often overused for these services. This overuse can affect the environment.
Many in the optical industry are taking steps toward responsible eye care. They’re achieving this by practicing the “Seven R’s of Sustainability”:
- Rethink – Consider the environmental impact of your current procedures. See where you can improve.
- Restore – Give back to the environment through conservation and restoration efforts.
- Reuse – Find ways to limit the need for continual product manufacturing. One option is to invest in reusable bags.
- Reduce – Cut back on consumption habits by conserving water and practicing energy efficiency.
- Repair – Maintain an item's quality or try to fix it before throwing it away.
- Repurpose – Transform an old item into something new with a change in function.
- Recycle – Preserve the environment by recycling products instead of sending them to the landfill.
By focusing on sustainability, the optical industry can improve vision more responsibly.
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Simple ways to spot sustainability in eye care
“Going green” can seem like a daunting task when looking for new eyewear or eye care providers. Look for companies and providers taking steps toward sustainability. Even small steps in the right direction can make a positive environmental impact.
Here are some things to look for:
Eco-friendly glasses
Buy eyewear made from responsibly sourced frame materials. This is a great way to incorporate sustainability into your shopping. Companies have come far to create durable, fashionable frames from eco-friendly materials, including:
- Bio-based plastic – Frames from renewable resources (like bamboo) to help reduce environmental impact
- Recycled plastic – Glasses created with recycled plastics from water bottles or production waste
- Bio-acetate and bio-nylon – Frames derived from castor oil, sugar cane and other renewable materials
- Recycled metal – Glasses sourced from old metal frames and scraps from industrial electronics
- Wood – Frames made from various types of wood, which is a renewable resource
Less waste
Ask your eye doctor what steps their practice is taking toward sustainability. Some of the biggest ways eye care practices can reduce waste include:
- Cleaning and sterilizing reusable instruments rather than using single-use equipment only
- Repurposing instruments, like transforming dulled surgical forceps into tweezers for cotton swabs
- Reducing unnecessary general anesthesia for certain procedures, like cataract surgery. Instead, rely on topical anesthesia
When it comes to eyewear, look for companies that focus on minimal product packaging. Other brands reduce waste by using recycled or biodegradable packaging materials..
Refillable bottles for eye drops and contact solution can also reduce waste. Just be sure to follow all care instructions closely for safe use.
Energy savers
Many eye care providers are making their practices more energy-efficient. Some ways they do this include:
- Investing in energy-efficiency diagnostic machines and instruments
- Utilizing wind and solar energy to power their electricity
- Installing energy-efficient lightbulbs in their office and clinic
Ask your doctor if they’ve taken steps to become more environmentally responsible. Most eco-conscious clinics are proud to share their environmental initiatives with patients.
How eye care can hurt the planet
The eye care industry is making strides in its efforts to reduce waste, and it’s for good reason. Vision care has a long history of negatively impacting the environment. This is typically done by:
- Contributing to landfills with old eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Using unnecessary plastic in products and packaging
- Polluting the environment by using certain chemicals in the manufacturing process
- Using lab and factory equipment that demands high levels of energy
The optical industry can contribute to a healthier future by addressing these issues.
SEE RELATED: Can you recycle contact lenses?
Environmentally responsible ideas for your eyes
Sustainable options are more accessible, so it’s easier to go green with the eye care products in your home. Here are some ways to reduce your carbon footprint:
Reuse your old frames
As long as your favorite, tried and true frames still fit properly, there’s no need to replace them. Opticians can replace your old prescription lenses with new ones. This helps to reduce landfill contributions. Ask your optician if they have any bio-based lens options to further your impact.
Pick sustainable brands
As mentioned before, choose brands that prioritize sustainability. There’s an eco-friendly company for nearly every style and price point. Gouverneur Audigier and Arnette offer a variety of sustainably focused luxury styles. Eyebuydirect has bio-based, budget-friendly eyewear for the whole family.
Ask your eye doctor
Next time you’re at an eye appointment, ask the eye doctor or a staff member about their practices. For example:
- Do they recycle?
- How many sustainable eyewear options do they offer?
- Are they mindful of their environmental impact?
How you can help sustainable eye care grow
Incorporating sustainability into your lifestyle is a great way to help the earth. If you want to multiply those positive effects, try the following:
Buy smart
Put your money where your priorities are. If sustainability matters to you, there are plenty of “green” eyewear brands to buy from.
There are many sustainability-focused companies outside vision care too. Do some research before you shop to make sure you’re supporting a brand that shares your values.
Spread the word
A recent survey showed that 46% of consumers are trying to buy more sustainable products. While encouraging, this number reveals the need for greater awareness around sustainable shopping.
Tell your family and friends about the positive impact of environmentally responsible purchases. Let them know what to look for when shopping so they can help the planet too.
Encourage your doctor to go green
Recommend or request that your eye care professional follow more eco-friendly practices:
- Ask them to stock more sustainable eyewear options.
- Encourage them to reduce product waste and recycle where possible.
- Ask if they’ve signed up to be a drop-off point for recycling contact lenses and eye care products.
- Opt out of general anesthesia when a topical anesthetic is enough.
Explain to your eye health professional why these things are important to you. Doing so may inspire them to take steps toward a more sustainable world.
