In Focus: Calculating the carbon footprint of a sight test

The carbon footprint of an NHS sight test was estimated to range from 4.02kg to 9.28kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e), averaging at 5.27kg CO₂e in a new study.

A report outlining the annual carbon footprint of an NHS sight test at five optometry practices has been published by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare in partnership with NHS England and Improvement, as well as Cheshire local optical committee.

There were four independent optical practices and one multiple involved in the study that were based in Cheshire and Merseyside. The multiple carried out 20,172 of the 25,745 sight tests analysed in the study.