Adding optical coherence tomography (OCT) and dispensing appointments were the two most notable innovations of the last two years, a 100% Optical survey found.
Event organisers asked over 700 industry professionals what was the best innovation introduced to their optical business, with OCT and appointments accounting for 17% and 7% of responses respectively.
Nathan Garnett, event director of 100% Optical, said: ‘Our survey reinforces the massive impact of Covid on the optical industry, just as it’s affected so many sectors. However, it’s heartening to see how it’s also spawned a great deal of innovation, and how the majority of respondents are optimistic about the future.’
Survey respondents said internet sales (28%) and low or poor NHS fees (8%) were the biggest challenges the optical industry has faced in the last few years apart from the pandemic.
Personal protective equipment, sanitising and operating a locked door policy were noted as the biggest changes to working routines since the start of Covid-19. However, the majority of respondents said they had permanently adopted some of these Covid measures at their practice.
While respondents said patients were still nervous about face-to-face appointments (33%), around two-thirds (65%) of respondents were positive about the post-pandemic recovery of the high street.