Eye care

The climate is getting warmer and islands of plastic waste are choking the world’s oceans. It might sound trivial in comparison, but we do our bit by recycling our contact lenses. Here’s how. We’re all in the habit of recycling our household waste: separating out glass, plastic, paper and cans to help the environment. But you might not have realised that you can also recycle your contact lenses. Yes, contact lenses are tiny compared to plastic water bottles, but it all adds up. Globally, at least 150 million people wear contact lenses¹. That’s a lot of lenses. Most of which are made of semi-plastic materials called hydrogels. Unfortunately, contact lenses can’t be put in your usual household recycling bin. But the good news is that Leightons offers a recycling service in store! What can I recycle at Leightons? Can I recycle contact lenses from any brand? Yes; any brand of soft disposable lenses can be recycled. Can I recycle my daily contact lenses? Yes; daily, two-weekly and monthly lenses can all be recycled. And it’s no matter if they’ve dried up! Can I recycle my old contact lens cases? Yes; all brands of blister packs can be recycled with us in store. Can I recycle contact lens packaging? Yes; even the foil from the packaging can be recycled with us, no matter what brand of lenses you use. Can I bring in my empty solution bottles? No; unfortunately, we’re unable to recycle solution bottles in store. Please dispose of these with your usual household waste. Refer to the solution bottle label for exact recycling instructions. Currently, we can only recycle contact lenses and their packaging. Why is recycling important? Since plastics take decades or even hundreds of years to naturally biodegrade, recycling helps to reduce their impact on the environment. Recycling means that plastics, and other materials such as metals, can be re-formed into new products to be used again. At Leightons we are committed to looking after our planet – we know that every little helps when it comes to achieving a cleaner, greener world. So, instead of throwing your used lenses and their packaging in the bin, why not save them up and visit our easy in-store recycling point? Give us a call on 0800 40 20 20, or visit your nearest Leightons branch. 1. Moreddu, R., Vigolo, D. & Yetisen, A.K. (2019) ‘Contact Lens Technology: From Fundamentals to Applications’, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 8(15), 1900368.

You might be surprised by some of the tools used in your eye test. Some optician’s equipment does such a good job it has remained unchanged for more than a hundred years – the ophthalmoscope has been in use for 150 years. But new technologies are helping us spot conditions earlier than ever before. OCT – Optical Coherence Tomography – is just one example of a groundbreaking imaging technology that is advancing the precision and quality of eye examinations. With many sight-threatening conditions, time is of the essence. The sooner you take action, the more effective your treatment will be. That’s why Leightons offers OCT as part of our Ultimate Eye Examination test. What is OCT? OCT lets us take images of the tissue behind the eye and a cross-section of many layers of the retina, not just the surface. It’s a little like an ultrasound for your eyes, and produces 3D high-definition scans. Why should I have an OCT eye examination? Having an OCT eye examination as part of your usual eye testing means we can spot issues sooner, detecting any changes to your eyes up to 5 years earlier than other methods, and long before you may notice any issues yourself. It can highlight, or help us to detect early signs of common eye problems such as glaucoma, diabetes and age-related macular degeneration. Our 3D high definition images let us see more of your eyes than ever before, and all your scans are stored as part of your records. So when you come in for your next appointment we can compare the images and accurately track any changes in your eye health. All this information lets us build a complete picture of your eyes, so that we can detect, track and treat eye conditions more effectively than ever. What will happen at my OCT eye test? An OCT machine takes scans of your eyes without touching them. The process is non-invasive and painless, and our expert Leightons optometrists are always on hand to answer any questions. How much will it cost? OCT is included as part of our Leightons Ultimate Eye Examination, priced at £99, or within our MyLeightons care plan. This advanced test provides a complete view of your eye health and vision. If you’re eligible for a free NHS sight test, you can still benefit from an OCT screening for just £39, giving you a more detailed picture of your eye health. How do I book an OCT test? You can book your OCT eye examination test by calling 0800 40 20 20, making an appointment online, or visiting your local Leightons branch.