Millions rely on contact lenses for better vision, yet few ponder their ecological impact. These tiny aids, often discarded daily, weekly or monthly, are not just personal conveniences but potential environmental hazards.
Find out what discarded contact lenses can do to the planet … and what you can do to minimize the damage.
The Environmental Cost of Clear Vision
1. The Plague of Plastics
Contact lenses, crafted from plastic, become pollutants when not disposed of correctly. Flushing them or letting them slip down the sink introduces microplastics into aquatic environments.
2. Microplastic Menace
As they degrade, contact lenses release microplastics, which infiltrate ecosystems, contaminating soil and water. These particles risk the well-being of marine life and, consequently, humans who are reliant on these water sources.
3. Chemical Quandary
The solutions used to clean and sterilize contact lenses carry chemicals that, when disposed of carelessly, can harm aquatic ecosystems and wildlife.
Turning the Tide: Steps Towards Sustainability
Dispose wisely.
Chucking contact lenses into bins designated for recycling, available at many eye care providers, can curb their environmental damage.
Embrace LASIK.
Opting for LASIK surgery not only diminishes dependence on contacts but also reduces plastic and chemical waste.
LASIK: A Vision of Sustainability
LASIK surgery offers a lasting solution, sidestepping the environmental pitfalls of contacts. Here’s why it’s a greener choice:
- Cutting down waste: Post-LASIK, the accumulation of disposable lenses and their packaging ceases, significantly reducing plastic waste.
- Economic and ecological savings: Though LASIK demands an initial outlay, it eliminates ongoing expenses on contacts and care products, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.
- Life, uncomplicated: Free from contacts, LASIK grants a hassle-free lifestyle with the bonus of a lesser environmental impact.
Choosing LASIK over contact lenses means not only opting for convenience and clear vision but also taking a stand for the planet. Find out if LASIK is a good choice for you by scheduling a no-obligation consultation with a Detroit LASIK surgeon at Lake Lazer Eye Center.
Lake Lazer Eye Center offers Detroit LASIK patients up-front pricing, and convenient and affordable payment plans for SoftTouch LASIK and the SMILE procedure. Dr. Khambati has helped thousands of people from all over the world escape the restrictions of glasses and contacts through LASIK. Detroit patients who are not candidates for vision correction can get our assistance with a contact lens evaluation or a selection of designer and specialty eyewear.
