Warming up for winter

November was a strong month in terms of practice performance with most benchmarks showing increases over October's figures and last year's results. Bifocal lenses are in decline, and while contact lens fits are down slightly this time, the overall trend is a positive one. However, November is often a good month. Last December was very modest so it will be interesting to see if November's positive outcomes continue for a second month.
Eye examinations were up by 12 per cent from the previous month and by 6 per cent from October 2002. Growth over the year is 1 per cent on average. The proportion of tests that were NHS was 63.4 per cent. Average sales per eye examination were still quite high at £120.24, compared to £121.61 in October, so not much change there. However, average figures for a year ago were just £106.13.
Dispensing volume increased for all lens types, up 18 per cent overall from October and up 3 per cent from last November. However, the decline in bifocal and trifocal lenses is very apparent as the only negative mover, down 10 per cent from November 2002. Progressive lenses peaked this month at 278, 45 per cent up from the previous month and now account for 18 per cent of all spectacles dispensed. Bifocals fell to 13.3 per cent share, while single-vision lenses maintained almost 69 per cent.
On average, over the year, growth in dispensing is consistent at 4 per cent. However, the moving averages for each lens type can be seen to be down or close to negative, and good results must be seen to continue to stop the annual growth rate becoming negative.
The dispensing rate was down to 63.9 per cent, quite a change from last November at 69.4 per cent.
The volume of spectacles dispensed with reflection-free coating was up 31 per cent from October, up 18 per cent from November 2002. The average for the last 12 months shows growth of 21 per cent from the previous year. The proportion of spectacles dispensed with AR coating was 50.4 per cent. This is showing a consistent average increase of 7 per cent over the last year.
The number of new contact lens fits was down by 1 per cent from October, up by 14 per cent from last year. Growth over the year is positive at 6 per cent.
Solution sales also improved this time, with a 6 per cent increase from October, just 1 per cent up from November 2002. Annual growth is still around 2 per cent.
Total practice turnover leapt to its second highest result, up 15 per cent from the previous month and up 26 per cent from last year. This is consistent with other figures; for example, higher-value spectacles increased in volume and share. The average growth for the last 12-month period is 11 per cent, compared to 9 per cent for October, and compared to 5.5 per cent over the previous 12-month period.
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.
Note that all figures are adjusted to a 25-day month. November had 25 working days (excluding Sundays and UK Bank holidays).
If a practice would like to contribute to the Index please contact Louise Jarvis at BBL (01634 267503). 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.