With data from more than a third of the month of May in view, the GPN x EB Optometric Business Tracker data reveals that frames, lens, and contact lens sales (as well as exams and overall patient payments) are down compared with the same period in May 2019—before the pandemic. However, the month of April 2021 saw increases in frames, lenses, and overall patient payments compared with the same time frame pre-pandemic.

“April 2021 was an interesting month—exams, and contact lens sales, were slightly down compared to April 2019, while frame and lens sales showed double-digit growth,” says Evan Kestenbaum, co-founder and COO of GPN. “However, we must consider that contact lens sales remained relatively stable throughout the pandemic, as doctors were extending prescriptions and ordering contact lenses for patients who were unable to have their scheduled yearly exam—so naturally [now] we would see more growth in eyewear than contact lenses sales.”

Read on for the revealing real-time data from GPN covering more than 2,900 practice locations across the U.S., served up in partnership with Eyecare Business. We are tracking practice exams, patient payments, plus frame, lens, and contact lens sales from coast to coast on a weekly and monthly basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

» Industry data provided by GPN: gpntechnologies.com