Back to reality

Following the buoyant month of February, figures in March returned to a more modest position, in keeping with those seen at the start of the year. All benchmarks fell, with only new contact lens fits, solutions and total turnover improving over the same time last year.
Eye examinations were down 23 per cent from February, down 10 per cent from last year. The trend is down almost 2 per cent on average over the last 12 months.
The proportion of tests that were NHS rose again to 63.7 per cent. Overall dispensing volume in March decreased by 26 per cent. The moving average shows the growth to be less than 1 per cent compared to the previous period, and the difference from last March is minus 9 per cent.
The greatest fall was in progressive lenses, down 47 per cent, which accounted for 17 per cent of all lenses dispensed. This time last year the proportion was 18.5 per cent.
Single-vision lenses fell by 24 per cent, although they were down just 3 per cent from the same time last year and increased their share by 1 per cent to almost 69 per cent. Bifocals maintained their share, and fell by a comparatively small 14 per cent from February's results.
Dispensing rate for March was 67.9 per cent, down slightly from February. This figure is calculated from the total number of eye examinations and total dispensing, and hence does not take into account multiple dispensing.
AR volumes were down 45 per cent from the previous month, although they equalled figures for last March. The percentage of spectacles dispensed with reflection-free coating fell from February by 3 per cent, but was up from 43.9 per cent last year at 45.6 per cent.
The number of new contact lens fits was down, but exceeded the figure for last March by 4 per cent. The growth rate, calculated from the moving average, is currently over 7 per cent. Solution sales increased 1 per cent from last year. Annual growth is still negligible.
Total practice turnover fell by 26 per cent from February, but exceeded last year's by 10 per cent. The average growth for the last 12-month period is almost 14 per cent. Turnover per eye examination was commensurate with recent months but exceeded last year's figure by 14 per cent at £121.58.

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. March had 27 working days (excluding Sundays and UK Bank holidays).

New contributors to the optician Index are always welcomed, with the benefits of participation including customised graphs and comparisons. Contributors are also able to make ad hoc enquiries, receiving feedback and results entirely free of charge. There is also the opportunity to benchmark other aspects of practice management or sales against the whole sample. The service is completely confidential.
Please note BBL have moved. 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 at www.businessbenchmarks.co.uk