Unlucky for some

The 13th anniversary of the Optician Index is marked with a few positive figures but mostly ones in decline

This feature is largely picture-based and is best viewed on a PDF.

Click here to download (153kB)

Click here for help reading PDFs

October marks the end of the 13th year of  the Optician Index, perhaps an unlucky year, but certainly one that depicts a general downturn in the optical industry. Some benchmarks have improved over last month and last year, but overall turnover is in decline, following in the wake of depressed figures for eye examinations and dispensing.

Eye examinations are up 4 per cent from September, down 2 per cent from October 2004. The decline is steady at 5 per cent over the year. The proportion of total eye examinations that are NHS tests is down further from last month, but at 63.5 per cent. Results have been higher on average for the last 12 months at 64.7 per cent.

The total volume of dispensing shows negligible change from last month, and is up only 0.5 per cent from last October. Single-vision lenses have improved this month, up 2 per cent, and up 1 per cent from October 2004. Bifocal and trifocal lenses have declined the most of all lens types, down just 1 per cent from September, but down 8 per cent from last year. The average fall over the year is almost 10 per cent. No move for progressives from last month, and up over 1 per cent from last October, but generally results are down by over 10 per cent on average.

Since last October, single vision has taken a greater proportion of the share of the lens market, now at 69.7 per cent compared to 68.6 per cent last year. Bifocal share has fallen from 13.9 per cent, whereas the change for progressive lenses is insignificant.

As reported last month, the total volume of dispensing has fallen by 8 per cent on average over the year. This change is not sudden, the previous year also showed a decline of 7 per cent.

In line with changes in dispensing patterns this month, AR coatings' volume shows little movement from September. Reflection-free coats are up from last October's figure of 134, although on average demonstrate the greatest drop, of almost 17 per cent over the past 12 months.

The percentage of spectacles dispensed with an anti-reflection coating is currently 45 per cent. It was 42 per cent last October.

This month dispensing rate is up again at almost 69 per cent, compared to 66 per cent. This figure is calculated from total number of eye examinations and total dispensing, and hence does not take into account multiple dispensing.

New contact lens fits are up again this month by 6 per cent. On average there is negligible change in growth, neither positive nor negative.

Total practice turnover results show negligible change from both last month and October 2004's results. Overall, a decline is evident, just over 1 per cent during the last 12 months. Compared to dispensing, the decline in turnover is relatively recent, only being apparent from April 2005.

This time last year average growth was positive around 8 per cent.

Turnover per eye examination is down again from last month, £128 compared to £133, though still an improvement on £125 last October.

When comparing your practice with the results it is important to note that all our figures are equated to a 25-day month, so year on year, month on month we can compare equal time periods. October had 26 working days (excluding Sundays and UK Bank holidays).

If a practice would like to contribute to the Index please contact Louise Jarvis on the new telephone number, 01622 851726, to discuss the benefits, no obligation, or by email to l.jarvis@businessbenchmarks.co.uk.