NEW YORK—As more eyecare patients across the U.S. cautiously resume visits to their eye doctor and local optical stores, health care experts continue to eye the high number of COVID-19 cases in certain states with concern. However, the average number of patients seen per day is nearing pre-COVID levels, according to according to the 14th Wave of Jobson's ECP Coronavirus Survey, conducted by Jobson Research for the Aug. 21-27 period. Respondents reported that the average number of patients climbed to 22.4 per day for the week, up from 21.6 per day during the week of July 10-15 and 18.4 per day during the week of June 19-23.

The percentage of patients making purchases rose to 74 percent, up from 71 percent from the week of July 10-15 and 59 percent the week of June 19-23. 45 percent of survey respondents said this was consistent with pre-COVID levels, but notably, about one-third of the total respondents, 32 percent, said it represented an increase.


Practice revenue for the week of Aug. 21-27 inched up to 62 percent of pre-COVID levels, slightly ahead of July, although not as high as the 67 percent reported for the week of June 19-23. Twenty-eight percent of respondents said that per patient profitability also rose for week of Aug. 21-27, a 5 percent increase over the week of July 10-15 and a 7 percent increase over the week of June 19-24.

Yet many eyecare professionals remain worried about the possibility of having to close their business or practice again should another round of shutdowns be ordered, although less so than in prior months. Twenty-one percent of eyecare professionals polled during the week of Aug. 21-27 said they are “very concerned” about the possibility of another shutdown. In comparison, 30 percent of ECPs who were polled the week of July 10-15 said they were “very concerned” about a possible shutdown.

Asked if any businesses in their area have been required to close again due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, 58 percent of ECPs surveyed during the week of Aug. 21-27 replied “no”, versus 72 percent during the week of July 10-15.

Respondents also reported that during the week of Aug. 21-27, nearly two-third of patients (64 percent) are having issues due to increased screen time. Most said the issues applied to both children and adults.

The full results of the 14th Wave of the Jobson ECP Coronavirus Survey, which spans a range of topics and questions, can be found, at no charge, here.