SAN RAMON, Calif.—A survey commissioned by CooperVision Inc. sheds new light on the value of providing patients more sustainable contact lens options. Following the establishment of CooperVision’s partnership with Plastic Bank to make its clariti 1 day family the first net plastic neutral contact lenses in the U.S., the research sought to better understand how net plastic neutrality impacts patient perceptions of contact lenses and their eyecare professionals (ECPs). Through the clariti 1 day plastic neutral initiative, CooperVision funds the collection, processing, and reuse of general plastic waste that is equal to the weight of the plastic contained in every box of clariti 1 day lenses distributed in the United States. In just six months with Plastic Bank, CooperVision, its customers and wearers have removed the equivalent of more than 11 million plastic bottles from the environment, benefitting more than 770 collectors in 75 communities around the world.

The online survey—which was conducted by Decision Analyst—queried more than 200 U.S. residents aged 16 to 35 years old who require vision correction and are considering contact lens wear in the next six to eight months to determine how the concept of net plastic neutrality might influence their decisions. The full report is now available for download here. 
 
Results showed how the health of the planet is playing an increasingly important role in patient decisions—including whether to wear contact lenses. In fact, 83 percent of respondents agreed that their interest in trying contact lenses would somewhat or significantly increase if a plastic neutral lens was an option, and 80 percent agreed that a plastic neutral 1-day contact lens would make them feel better about using daily disposable contact lenses.
 
In addition to increasing patient consideration of contact lenses, the insights reveal further opportunities for ECPs to positively engage with their patients and strengthen relationships through the proactive discussion of net plastic neutral contact lenses. Respondents said that if their ECP were to discuss or recommend a net plastic neutral contact lens, their perceptions of their doctor would change in positive ways. For example, eight in 10 said they would consider their ECP more innovative or up to date on the newest trends in eyewear, and three in four respondents agreed that trust in their ECP would increase.
 
“The results of the survey clearly show that not only do patients care about the environment, but they want their eye care professionals to care, too,” said Michele Andrews, OD, vice president, professional and government affairs, Americas, CooperVision. “By understanding these insights—and making it a point to discuss the sustainable benefits of CooperVision clariti 1 day contact lenses in practice—ECPs can deepen their relationships with their patients while making a positive impact on the environment.”
 
CooperVision’s clariti 1 day plastic neutral initiative is part of the company’s broader commitment to sustainability, which includes best-in-class manufacturing processes resulting in award-winning conservation efforts in Puerto Rico and prestigious sustainability certifications in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Spain, and the U.K.