NEW YORK—As eyecare practices and optical retailers begin to reopen in more parts of the country, the latest Jobson Research COVID-19 Practice Performance Tracker for the week ending May 10, is reflecting a fourth week of growth, nationally, and the U.S. optical business continues its upward trend in all product/service categories. Across the country, gross revenue and lens pairs more than doubled from 22 index points to 46 index points and from 21 index points to 45 index points, respectively. Growing even faster, exams/refractions increased at a rate of 2.5x from 16 index points to 40 index points. Also experiencing an increase in sales, contact lens sales grew at a rate of 1.4x from 38 index points to 53 index points.

Regionally, improvements in service/product sales were robust across the board, with some regions clearly leading in the overall business upswing. By far, the Midwest experienced the strongest growth, adding more than 30 index points in all product/service categories, except contact lenses. This was followed by solid improvement in the South, growing at a rate that added index points in the mid-20 range in all categories, except contact lenses. The West and Northeast also showed increased sales, albeit at lower rate.

In addition, consumers intending to postpone eyewear purchases declined, during this last measured period.

Jobson Optical Research is tracking optical business metrics for the U.S. to determine the trajectory of the downturn, monitor its duration and uncover which regions first begin heading in a positive direction. The Practice Performance Tracker shows national data and illustrates Regional Breakouts of ECP practice metrics across several measures of business, including ECP gross revenues, exams and refractions, frame units, spectacle lens pairs and contact lens pairs sold by ECPs. This data is compiled by Jobson Research from GPN and ABB Analyze data. Another element of the report illustrates Consumer Sentiments about the COVID-19 response and purchasing intentions, with data supplied by The Vision Council.

Click to view the COVID-19 Practice Performance Tracker for the week ending May 10, 2020.