NEW YORK—According to the latest Optical Business Barometer (OBB), a monthly index from Jobson Optical Research which measures independent eyecare professionals’ attitudes towards business, the overall optical business rating decreased slightly to a 3.63 rating in July. This rating compares to a 3.69 in June.

The average of overall optical ratings for the period January through July 2013 stood at 3.71, declining slightly from a 3.74 average measured for the same period 2012.

The confidence rating for the upcoming six months also reflected a less positive outlook among ECPs toward overall optical retail business. The July 2013 confidence rating stood at 3.72, as compared to a 3.82 rating in June.

ECP ratings for eyeglass business declined to a 3.63 rating in July 2013 from a 3.64 rating in June. The index for their outlook for exams, however, increased to a 3.74 rating from 3.71 in June, and contact lenses increased to 3.56 from 3.53.

For the seven month period January through July 2013, the average index for eyeglasses stood at 3.68, remaining steady with the same period in 2012. For contact lenses, the average index for this period stood at 3.57 for 2013, compared to 3.58 in 2012. The average rating for exams stood at 3.73 for the period in 2013, compared to 3.74 in 2012.

The overall optical rating among independents for January through July 2013 by U.S. census region stood at 3.74 for the Northeast, 3.84 for the South, 3.65 for the Midwest and 3.63 for the West.

Consumer confidence also decreased for July 2013, according to findings from the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Survey. The latest Consumer Confidence Index revealed a decrease in July to 80.3 from a revised 82.1 in June.

For a more detailed report with charted progress, visit VisionMonday.com. For the full report from Jobson Research, visit jobsonresearch.com/obb or contact Jennifer Zupnick at 212-274-7164 or jzupnick@jobson.com.