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This month our graphs are concentrating on the total volume of spectacles dispensed, lens types, new contact lens fits and contact lens solution sales over three calendar years from April to April. The linear trend lines show the current trend, taking into account the range of data included in the appropriate series line, rather than any historic values.
Total practice turnover increased fractionally to 175 Index points from last month, which is 2 per cent higher than last April and is the highest Index value since the pre-recession figure of November 2008. The figures reported in the Index are at current prices, not taking inflation into account; this is a monthly snapshot but still proves the resilience of the UK optical retail market. Turnover per eye examination is £2 lower this month at £180.
The number of sight tests increased by 2 per cent to 106 Index points this month, which is 9 per cent lower than April 2012. Seventy-five per cent of eye examinations carried out in April were NHS tests, which is the same as last month but 2 percentage points lower than April last year.
The dispensing rate is the same as March at 66 per cent, 2 percentage points higher than the dispensing rate recorded in April 2012.
Total spectacles dispensed (Figure 1), which is a calculation of the sample average figure, shows a decrease in the volume over the course of the last 12 months compared with 2011-2012, particularly over the second half of the calendar year. The series line for 2010-2011 is similar to that of the last 12 months, although the volume is lower. The linear trend line for 2012-2013 has flattened again following the growth in the previous 12 months and annual growth is negative at -3 per cent. April's figures show a slight increase of just over 1 per cent from last month to 97 Index points, just over 1 per cent lower than April last year.
The proportions of spectacles dispensed by lens type (Figure 2) shows that in April 71 per cent of spectacles dispensed were single-vision lenses, 19 per cent progressive lenses and bi/trifocals accounted for 10 per cent. This is a slight shift in the ratio of lens types reported in April 2012 with progressive lenses increasing by 1 per cent at the expense of single-vision lenses. The monthly snapshot recorded in October 2012 showed exactly the same percentages as April 2013.
The volume of dispensing by lens types (Figure 3) shows the sales through the course of the last 12 months. The sales of bi/trifocals fell more severely than the other two lens types in the summer months, resulting in a falling linear trend. Progressive lens sales recovered more quickly during the first four months of this year resulting in a climbing trend. Single-vision lenses increased by 2 per cent to 70 Index points from March, but this is 4 per cent lower than last April. Bi/trifocal lenses also increased by 2 per cent from March to 66 Index points, but this is 10 per cent lower than last April. Progressive lenses showed an increase of less than 1 per cent over the month to 213 Index points, 4 per cent higher than last April.
The sample average of spectacles dispensed as re-glazes is the same this month as last at 15 per cent. The results from our sample are not as diverse as when the sample included national multiples but still range from 3 to 48 per cent.
The percentage of lenses dispensed with a photochromic treatment has increased this month by 1 percentage point to 11 per cent. Anti-reflective coatings were applied to an average of 41 per cent of spectacles during the month, 2 percentag
e points higher than last month.
Contact lenses
New contact lens fits (Figure 4) shows the Index values over three years have fallen but the linear trend shows that the rate of decrease is slowing. The sales in 2010-11 and 2011-12 followed a similar pattern and both were affected by bad weather in December, whereas December 2012 was the peak for the last 12 months, having increased steadily over the previous three months. New fits were up in April by 1 per cent to 119 Index points from March, but this is 10 per cent lower than April last year.
Contact lens solution sales (Figure 5) have not been sustained in the last 12 months at the high levels reached in 2011-2012 and annual growth is negative at -5 per cent. The increasing trend of 2010-2011 was reversed the following year and the linear trend continues in a downward direction for 2012-2013. Solution sales for April are 2 per cent higher than last month, now at 82 Index points which is a 6 per cent decrease on last April's figure.
All figures are adjusted to a 25-working-day month. In April there were 25 working days.
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