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Total practice turnover (Figure 1) reveals the high point over the two years January 2009 to January 2011 as May and June last year at 174 Index points. With the exception of January and December 2010 (the months affected by adverse weather conditions), the values remained higher than throughout 2009. The moving average (which includes the historic values over 12 months) shows a steady incline from February 2010, levelling off after October 2010. However, a linear trend-line (which takes into account only the values included in the chart) shows a steady increase over the period. The increase in January 2011 was 15 per cent on December 2010 and 11 per cent higher than last January. The annual growth has now improved to 9.5 per cent.
Turnover per eye examination (Figure 2) shows a peak in December at £180. This is the result of practice owners and managers maintaining their turnover despite there being considerably fewer eye examinations carried out during that month. It appears that patients who had their examinations in November or early December completed the purchase of their spectacles before Christmas, but those whose examinations were affected by the weather conditions were re-appointed for the new year. The average value per eye examination in January 2011 is £144.50, £36 less than December but £2.50 more than January 2010. Over the charted period the moving average fell slightly during 2009 until December and now shows continued improvement from that point; year-on-year growth increased by £8 to £150. The linear trend-line shows a significant increase between January 2009 and January 2011. These positive financial results could be explained by practitioners adding value by providing better quality, specialised and treated lenses, together with more fashionable frames and the sale of eye care products.
Total eye examinations from January 2009 to January 2011 (Figure 3) demonstrates, with the exception of December 2010, consistently higher values during 2010 than in 2009. A much larger number of eye examinations were carried out in February 2010 following the bad weather of January. The exceptionally low numbers reported in December 2010 have been counter-balanced by higher numbers of appointments during January, resulting in the linear trend-line being flat over the whole period and the moving average increasing steadily from January 2010. Eye examinations this month increased to 108 Index points, a 30 per cent increase on December 2010 and 11 per cent higher than January 2010. Annual growth has improved by 2 per cent to 4 per cent.
NHS tests account for 78 per cent of all eye examinations carried out. There was an increase of 3 per cent in January 2011 from December 2010; this is 4 per cent higher than January last year.
Average dispensing rate (Figure 4) was 57 per cent this month, a fall of 3 per cent on last month, but an increase of 3 per cent on last January. The chart is showing improving performance during the first half of 2010, but the percentages are generally less than 2009. The moving average declined during the whole of 2009 and the rate of decline slowed during the first half of 2010, then levelled and is now beginning to show a slight upward trend. The linear trend-line over the two-year period shows a slight decline.
The sample average total dispensing also increased this month by 30 per cent to 87 Index points from December 2010. This is 10 per cent higher than January 2010 with annual growth, although still negative, improving to -13 per cent.
Single-vision lenses improved by 27 per cent to 62 Index points from December 2010 and are now 4 per cent higher than January last year.
Bi/trifocal lenses saw a significant upward movement of 46 per cent on December 2010, 38 per cent higher than January 2010.
Progressive lenses also show a significant improvement of 29 per cent over last month, 14 per cent higher than the previous January.
New contact lens fits are 3 per cent higher than December 2010 but 7 per cent lower than last January.
Contact lens solution sales increased by 4 per cent from last month to 87 Index points, now 15 per cent higher than January 2010.
Photochromic lenses (Figure 5) have increased this month by 1 per cent to 14 per cent of dispensing, which is 2 per cent higher than January 2010. The chart shows that sales levelled at 12 per cent between July and October 2010. This has been reflected in the moving average which dipped slightly during the second half of last year. The linear trend-line shows established growth for this benchmark.
Re-glazes are stable at 12 per cent of dispensing, 1 per cent more than January 2010. Our sample panel continue to report widely varying percentages for re-glazes. For January 2011 the range was between 1 and 54 per cent of dispensing, with most reporting between 6 and 18 per cent.
Reflection-free coatings were applied to an average of 44 per cent of spectacles dispensed during January, a 2 per cent increase on last month and 11 per cent higher than January 2010.
Please note all figures shown are adjusted to a 25-working day month. In January 2011 there were 25 working days.
This data has been brought to you with the support of Transitions Adaptive Lenses.
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