Around two thirds of UK optometrists (61%) have reduced the impact of their business on the environment, increasing to 82% in London, according to research by Optegra Eye Healthcare.
It showed that 57% of optometrists increased participation in packaging recycling schemes; 58% have gone paperless for patient communication; 57% used improved technology for virtual clinics, ensuring less patient travel; and 51% offered eco-friendly contact lenses, as well as aim to become carbon neutral in the future.
Clare O’Donnell, head of optometry at Optegra Eye Health Care, said: ‘We are delighted to see so many optometrists in the community making a pledge to reduce their impact on the environment.
‘We have also reviewed all our processes and have launched a new ‘Open Eyes’ initiative with our commitment to go paperless from start-to-end of the patient journey. This includes enhancing care pathways so that we can best use a digitally connected healthcare delivery, for efficiency, accuracy and full visibility of the patient journey.’
This year, the hospital group has created fully digital patient records, which were integrated across all platforms, compared to 1.1million sheets of paper used in 2022. Continued e-clinics, initially only introduced during the pandemic, have also proven efficient and cut patients’ commuting carbon footprint.
