NEW YORK—After slight declines due to practices being closed on Memorial Day, which resulted in a drop in ECP revenues and exams for the 7 days ending May 31, the story was different for the week ending June 7, according to the latest Jobson COVID-19 Practice Performance Tracker, which reflects a marked improvement. All optical service/product categories increased dramatically over this past week, reflecting index gains further surpassing and building on the momentum of the previous six weeks of growth. This increase could be attributed to a higher percentage of practices reopening. Last week’s single-digit declines of 7 or 8 index points in each category were followed by more substantial increases of about 20 index points for all categories over this past week.

On a regional basis, all categories in all regions grew at a rate of about 20 index points. However, the Midwest experienced the largest increases with gross revenue up 25 index points and exams/refractions adding 26 index points. The Northeast and the West also grew but by a slightly lower rate of index points in the high teens. The Northeast still lags behind the rest of the country overall. All categories in the South also increased by a rate of about 20 index points (except contact lenses, which grew by 17 index points).

Consumers' attitudes toward postponing eye exams or purchases remained stable with the prior Tracker week ending May 31, as was general COVID-19 concerns among consumers, per The Vision Council's research.

The Jobson COVID-19 Practice Performance Tracker data is compiled by Jobson Research from GPN and ABB Analyze  data. Another element of the report illustrates Consumer Sentiments about the COVID-19 response and purchasing intentions, with data supplied by The Vision Council.  

Click to view the COVID-19 Practice Performance Tracker for the Week Ending June 7.