NEW YORK—The Optical Business Barometer (OBB), provided by Jobson Research, shows a slightly lower rating for business attitudes among independents this month. The overall rating for September 2012 stands at a 3.6, as compared to a 3.7 rating previously held for the months of June, July and August.

The overall confidence rating remains consistent with the July and August 2012 ratings of 3.7, and shows an increase from September 2011 and 2010, which both held ratings of 3.5. Ratings for eyeglasses, contact lenses and exams have all decreased slightly from August to September, with eyeglasses dropping from 3.7 to 3.5, contact lenses shifting from 3.6 to 3.5 and exams decreasing from 3.8 to 3.6.

The OBB is a monthly survey of a representative sample of independent optical retailers (single locations or groups of no more than three locations) designed to gauge the trends of eyecare professionals at these locations. The survey is conducted online by Jobson Optical Research to measure attitudes of independent ECPs about the current business climate and outlook based on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is "very negative" and 5 is "very positive," with 3 representing "neutral."

OBB findings are further compared to the Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board. This month, the Consumer Confidence Survey yielded an increase from a revised 61.3 in August to a 70.3 in September.

To view the full Optical Business Barometer report with charts, click here. The OBB is sponsored by International Vision Expo.