RecEYEcling

Project completed as part of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Green Team Competition.

Team members

• Jessica Gowing - Dispensing Optician
• Meera Nagji - Optometrist

Setting / patent group:

Ophthalmology department, paediatric patients with rare or complex eye conditions

Issue

Due to the young age of patients requiring glasses (some are as young as 6 weeks old) and the nature of the conditions seen, many children cannot get a good fit with a standard pair of glasses and require a specialist paediatric frame. The department relies heavily on ‘Tomato glasses’, a manufacturer based in South Korea that produces fully adaptable frames according to various head shapes and sizes. These work well for many of the ophthalmology patients as they come in very small sizes required for infants born with cataracts, and their adjustability is beneficial for conditions such as craniosynostosis. The problem faced is that these frames are imported, made from mostly plastic material and are frequently broken or outgrown and therefore have a short lifespan, with no instruction for green disposal. The project aimed to create a recycling scheme for glasses. The benefits of recycling surpass the plastic saved as the scheme should reduce the average patient waiting time, hospital expenditure, staff administrative work, manufacturer materials, packaging and transportation.

Intervention

We conducted a survey using a QR code to gauge parents' willingness to participate in a glasses recycling scheme, finding unanimous support for donating glasses back and mixed feelings about refurbished frames. Therefore, we decided to primarily use donated glasses for repairs, with refurbished frames offered to parents upon inquiry. We confirmed use of refurbished parts and frames was appropriate under clinical and regulatory advisers We engaged dispensing colleagues, and it was agreed once set up, the project would reduce the administrative workload and so we obtained their consent before initiating the scheme. We arranged a process for receiving, processing, and storing parts or frames. We quickly received a sufficient supply of frames, following requests for donations from parents, and so we were able to begin to use the frames as parts when a patient needed a repair. The patient was informed when refurbished parts were used and given choice of a new part.

Outcomes

We have successfully implemented the recycling scheme through engagement of patients and their families with an average of 16 sides and 14 fronts re-used per month. This leads to projected annual savings of £5,472 and 10 kgCO2e, equivalent to driving 28.6 miles in an average car.

Clinically, donated frames means repairs can be done immediately without waiting at least 1 week for parts to be delivered, reducing risks of disruption to vision during critical paediatric period that can cause permanent visual loss.

“I have done so many repairs on the day for patients that have aphakic prescriptions who are now not having to wait for their glasses to be repaired.” Staff member

Our MDT is supportive of the change,

“That’s a fantastic idea.“ Staff member

100% of parents reported that they would happily donate old glasses to be recycled and 53% happy to receive a refurbished pair,

“Excellent idea and a no brainer for us!“ Parent

Key learning point

The project has been a huge success, with benefits for our patients, staff and the environment. The support of the rest of the Ophthalmology department was vital in spreading the word and encouraging patients and their families to recycle their glasses. It was also wonderful to see how many families wanted to help in the project - many of whom have wanted to donate lots of old pair of glasses for years but haven't had a way in which to do this.