INSTEAD of throwing away spent contact lenses and the cases in which they come it is possible to use them to help other people who have sight problems.

A Ludlow optician has been accepted on a national scheme that recycles the plastic from the disposable lenses and the blister caps in which they come.

Peter Meredith Opticians in Church Street is now part of the scheme that is open to independent opticians.

The plastic material is collected and sent for recycling in exchange for money that then goes to charity.

“Because we are an optician, we have decided that the Guide Dog for the Blind Association is our chosen charity,” said Kirsten Bradley, who works in the shop.

“We can take any soft contact lenses from any opticians or online purchases, that are used or unused, along with the small plastic containers they come in along with the foil lids. Just drop them off at our branch.

“The funds raised from recycling these waste materials will be donated to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Charity.”

She said that even the disposable lenses when removed from the eye contain plastic that can be recycled.

Many people do not realise that contact lenses being made of plastic may be small but can be recycled.