NEW YORK—According to the Optical Business Barometer report from Jobson Optical Research, the overall optical business rating in August 2014 rose to 3.88 from a July 2014 rating of 3.77. The latest rating also shows an increase from previous August ratings of 3.72 in 2013, 3.72 in 2012, 3.68 in 2011 and 3.67 in 2010, showing a consistent upward trend for the month of August over time.

The confidence rating, measuring independent eyecare professionals' outlook for overall optical retail business for the upcoming six months, rose to 3.94 in August 2014 from a July 2014 rating of 3.80. The August 2014 rating of 3.94 is the highest for the month of August since the measurement began.

Year-to-date average ratings for January through August 2014 for eyeglasses, exams and contact lenses each rose since the same period in 2013. For eyeglasses, the rating stood at 3.70, comparing to 3.68 in 2013 and 2012. For exams, the rating stood at 3.79 in 2014 compared to 3.73 in 2013 and 3.75 in 2012. For contact lenses, the rating stood at 3.62 compared to a 3.57 rating in 2013 and a 3.59 rating in 2012.

Monthly scores for eyeglasses, exams and contact lenses also showed increases from August 2013, with the rating for eyeglasses rising from 3.68 in August 2013 to 3.85 in 2014; the rating for eye exams rising from 3.76 in 2013 to 3.94 in 2014; and the rating for contact lenses rising from 3.59 to 3.76.

Regional scores for the overall optical year-to-date average rating stood at 3.90 for the South, 3.70 for the Midwest, 3.69 for the West and 3.65 for the Northeast.

Jobson's OBB report is further compared to the Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board, which showed an increase in August to 94.2 from a revised 90.3 in July.

Find VM’s full report in the Research + Stats section of VisionMonday.com. For more information, visit jobsonresearch.com/obb or contact Jennifer Zupnick at (212) 274-7164 or jzupnick@jobson.com.