Launched amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Optometric Business Tracker is a collaboration between GPN Technologies and Eyecare Business magazine that reveals sales and exams data from more than 2,400 practice locations across the country.
In 2022, we’ll continue to reveal crucial information tracking practice exams and patient payments, plus frame, lens, and contact lens sales, but in a more easily digestible, focused way to address practice information needs heading into a new chapter of the pandemic.
Embark on the journey into the new year armed with critical intel and key trend takeaways with the state of optical sales and exams in clear view.
Change vs. Same Month Last Year
(December 2021 % changes vs. December 2020)
Change vs. Previous Month
(December 2021 % changes vs. November 2021)
Practice Pearl
Authored by Ron Krefman, O.D., FAAO, founder and CEO of focalCenter and GPN Data Scientist, this key data takeaway calls out the last two years’ practice performances (as compared with the year prior), before going on to highlight the peak month for eye exams for each year from 2016 to 2021.
“While 2020 was a down year across all categories, 2021 saw a welcome 14% rise in eye exams, frames, and lenses sold compared to 2020,” says Dr. Krefman. “Accompanying the downs of 2020 and ups of 2021 was a significant disruption to the traditional peak months. For exams, the typical August high shifted to January in 2020 and March in 2021.”
| Calendar Year Change vs. Prior Year | Exams | Frames | Lenses | Contacts | Patient $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | -11.16% | -7.27% | -6.77% | -4.69% | -3.65% |
| 2021 | 14.14% | 14.07% | 14.04% | 5.28% | 19.47% |
To learn more on how peak months for all categories have been disrupted, check out Dr. Krefman’s deeper dive on the market disruption that occurred in 2020 due to Covid on eye THRIVE here: bit.ly/3noLgwn.
Practice Resources
GPN is using its eyeTHRIVE business solutions channel (eyeTHRIVE.net) to offer timely webinars and resources to ECPs. The open-forum webinars feature some of the industry’s most successful O.D.s, practice management consultants, and business owners. eyeTHRIVE members are invited to attend live webinars, view recorded presentations, download useful tools, and participate in live Q&A sessions with industry pros.
GET MORE INDUSTRY DATA TRACKING
Visit eyecarebusiness.com/optometric-business-tracker semimonthly as we reveal the real-time data on countrywide practice sales and exams—provided by GPN.
All industry data provided by GPN: gpntechnologies.com.
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