Almost half of all adults have had an eye test in the past year, according to Mintel's latest research, yet one in five rarely or never have their eyes tested.
The under-35 spectacle wearers are less frequent visitors for eye exams than over-65s, and they are most likely to just use one kind of vision correction, while over-65s are more likely to use two or more.
Of 1,011 adults aged over 15 years, 9 per cent have never had an eye exam, 10 per cent said it was more than five years ago and 14 per cent 2-5 years ago. 'The profession has more ground to make up if it is to encourage everyone to have regular eye exams,' said Mintel.
The report pointed out that four chains (Specsavers, Boots/D&A, Vision Express and Optical Express) dominated the retail sales of optical goods in the UK, holding 55 per cent of the market between them, which accounts for £55 in every £100 spent by consumers on optical goods and services in the UK. Of these, Specsavers and Vision Express grew market share during 2007-2009 thanks to clear branding and powerful marketing campaigns.
Mintel also reported that the threat of mail order/internet companies, although real, is a fairly minor one at 1 per cent, as 'the majority of consumers prefer the face-to-face option'.
In addition, research revealed a growing awareness that the eye examination is also about the health of the eye, with 36 per cent agreeing that 'an eye test is about eye health as well as eyesight'.