As states reopen across the country, just how are practices from coast to coast recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic?

Real-time data from GPN covering over 2,900 practice locations across the U.S., served up in partnership with Eyecare Business, shows the path to recovery. We are tracking practice exams + frame, lens, and contact lens sales from coast to coast.

“Positive economic trends for ECPs poked their heads out in May as state restrictions began to ease, leading to growth for ECPs,” says Evan Kestenbaum, GPN co-founder and COO.

“The May data indicates that nationally the number of exams climbed back to approximately 50% of their 2019 levels, with some practices nearly returned to normal.”

According to Kestenbaum, while there is room for improvement, it’s tremendous growth compared with April, when the number of eye exams bottomed out at 91% less than normal.

“Not surprisingly, states with the largest number of positive Covid cases, such as New York, New Jersey, and Michigan, have not yet seen the significant increases in annual exams in May that Tennessee, Kansas, and Texas had.

“The most recent data indicates that June should continue to yield positive growth nationally, and that those states most affected by Covid will start to reopen. They have the advantage of learning from O.D.s who paved the way to creating and implementing safety and scheduling procedures while taking on various challenges they faced while reopening.”