NEW YORK—The tenuous state of the economy for many ECPs, including inflation and business costs as well as patients’ needs throughout the pandemic were among the concerns within the most recent ECPulse Survey conducted in December 2022 by Jobson Optical Research. Some 38 percent of the ECPs surveyed said their practice has been greatly impacted by the state of the economy versus 58 percent who said their business has been only slighted impacted by the uncertainty of the ever-changing economy.

The new ECPulse Survey of eyecare professionals across the country was started by Jobson Research in June 2022, as a new quarterly research series which monitors a range of factors influencing ECPs' business. The Q4 2022 ECPulse report, conducted in December 2022, surveyed 279 ECPs. Respondents included independent ECPs as well as regional and larger (more than 20 location) groups. It examined general business trends, practice profitability comparability by month and quarter, a closer look at specific business trends, ECPs business plans for the coming year and more.

Although inflation has cooled somewhat and gas prices are down significantly, 83 percent of respondents said they notice patients were trying to save money due to inflation as compared to 80 percent in the September 2022 survey. Concurrently, 37 percent of respondents said more of their patients were using managed vision care than in previous years.

Not surprisingly, the pandemic is still a factor for ECPs and their patients. When asked if they’ve noticed a difference in patients’ needs since the pandemic, 80 percent saw increases in the need for computer/blue light glasses, and 71 percent saw increases for dry eye testing and treatments. Some 41 percent of ECPs noted increases in the need for diabetes related eyecare.

When comparing profitability in 2022 versus 2021, per patient profits were up 2 percent, the number of patients seen per day was up 6 percent, revenue was up 5 percent and optical sales were up 4 percent in 2022.

Looking ahead to the new year, 45 percent of respondents said they plan to hire more doctors and staff, 42 percent want to focus more on sustainability, 21 percent plan to invest in new software and technology and only 3 percent have plans to close a location.









The Jobson Research ECPulse Surveys includes some questions previously asked in Jobson's prior ECP Coronavirus surveys and shows those comparisons when possible.

To download the Q4 2022 ECPulse Survey, click here.

To learn more about the ECPulse Surveys, contact Jennifer Waller, director research and business analytics at Jobson Research at jwaller@jobson.com or visit Jobson Research for more information and details.