There were 27 trading days in July, and hence the act of correcting figures to a regular 25-day month will have the effect of reducing the actual results by 25/27. For comparison purposes, however, it is important to compare equal-length time-periods. Many benchmarks increase favourably compared to June, but all figures are down compared to results seen in July 2003. Eye examinations are up 2 per cent from June, down 6 per cent from last year. The 12-month moving average is down 5 per cent compared to the previous period. The proportion of tests that are NHS is 64 per cent. The total volume of dispensing has increased by 3 per cent this month. This is primarily due to increases in both bifocal and progressive lenses. Total volume is down 13 per cent from last July, however. The change from last year is largely due to an overall fall in volume, with progressive lenses falling the most in terms of percentage Ð 30 per cent Ð although they do account for just 17 per cent of the market, compared to 18 per cent last July. Single-vision lenses are showing a 10 per cent fall compared to last July, while their proportional share remains consistent at 68.5 per cent. Bifocal lenses are up 5 per cent from last month but down 5 per cent from 2003. The proportional mix for bifocal has increased from 13.3 per cent to 13.8 per cent. Reflection-free coatings have increased over June's results by 7 per cent, but are down by 7 per cent from July 2003. The overall trend is negative, with the 12-month average showing a decline of 6 per cent over the year. The percentage of spectacles dispensed with an anti-reflection coating is now 48 per cent, compared to over 50 per cent last year. The July dispensing rate is down slightly at 68.4 per cent. Last year it was 70.2 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 have fallen by 5 per cent compared to June, down 19 per cent from last July. Generally, results are positive for contact lenses over the summer, but the latest figures are very much below expectations, with the annual trend now only at 4 per cent growth. Current marketing campaigns may be successful in turning this around, and the Index should help indicate whether this is the case. Solution sales are down by just 1 per cent from last year, and the positive growth trend is now negligible at 0.4 per cent. Total practice turnover results increase by 2 per cent from June, down 5 per cent from July 2003. The average growth for the last 12-month period is 14 per cent. Turnover per eye examination is very high at £131, compared to £127 last month. Average expenditure per eye examination is seen to be increasing, having risen on average from £104 to £131 over the past two years (from July 2002). 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. Please note all figures shown are adjusted to a 25-day month. July had 27 working days (excluding Sundays and UK Bank holidays). New contributors to the Index are always welcome. Benefits of participation include customised graphs and comparisons, and contributors are 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. 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 e-mail to l.jarvisbusinessbenchmarks.co.uk. SUMMARY