WATERLOO, Ontario—The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published a series of infographics in 25 diverse languages that encourage responsible contact lens recycling and disposal. The initiative resulted from widespread positive feedback about four English-only versions released earlier this year.

Languages now include Afrikaans, Arabic, Croatian, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Malay, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish and Vietnamese. CORE plans to distribute additional languages over the coming months.

The four separate designs are intended for professional and consumer educational purposes, as sustainable practices and programs are becoming more established within the contact lens sector. One infographic helps communicate with wearers about relative impact, putting contact lens-related waste into context with other common products and lifestyle habits. Two others explain the best routes for ideal contact lens disposal, while a fourth reminds wearers not to place their contacts into wastewater systems.

 
These infographics can be provided to patients directly as printed resources, sent via email or text, or used on social media and practice websites to make consumers aware of available options.

“Several contact lens manufacturers have demonstrated sustainability commitments by preventing waste and inspiring reuse, recycling, recovery and responsible disposal. Helping patients grasp that they can enjoy their contacts while remaining environmentally responsible is something we should all be reinforcing,” said Daddi Fadel, DOptom, clinical scientist with CORE and the coordinator of the translation initiative.

The series is available for download and use by the global eyecare community here.