Study: Internet Eyewear Vendors are Subpar

A recent study showed that nearly half of all glasses (44.8 percent) ordered through the Internet had incorrect prescriptions or did not meet the physical parameters to provide sufficient protection to the wearer.  Due to the increasing trend of consumers consulting and directly ordering prescription eyewear from Web sites, the study, lead by Karl Citek, OD, PhD., from Pacific University College of Optometry and published in the September issue of Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association, assessed whether prescription eyewear ordered from online vendors and delivered directly to the consumer were compliant with the optical tolerance and impact resistance requirements for eyewear dispensed in the United States.

Over a two-month period, 10 individuals from across the United States, including the researchers, ordered two pairs of glasses from each of 10 of the most visited online optical vendors, for a total of 200 pairs of glasses. Purchasers chose frame styles from the low- and midrange options offered by each vendor, avoiding brand and designer products, and selected a variety of frame materials, lens styles, and prescriptions.  Of the 200 pairs of glasses ordered, 154 were received and analyzed for sphere power, cylinder power and axis, add power, separation of distance optical centers, and center thickness. Of those analyzed, 33 (21.4%) were not provided correctly.

“In this study, all participating individuals were knowledgeable about eyewear but some had difficulty placing online orders correctly, such that the spectacles ordered were not what was intended per the study design. In addition, some vendors provided the incorrect type of spectacles, even though the order apparently was placed correctly,” the authors wrote.  Several pairs were received as single vision instead of bifocals, or had lens treatments added or omitted. Of the 154 pairs received, 44 pairs (28.6%) contained at least one lens that was not within the parameters of the prescription. Nearly 23 percent of the lenses failed impact testing, based on center thickness and lens treatment. Of the children’s glasses tested, 29 percent failed impact testing.

“The results of this study show that regardless of cost, spectacle eyewear ordered without the benefit of a dispensing process can come with significant risk of error in providing the correct type of lenses needed or ordered, the optical parameters that are within acceptable tolerances, and the physical parameters that provide sufficient protection to the wearer,” the authors wrote.

ADG&A suggests that clients consider giving a copy of this study to patients who ask for a copy of their prescription. 

Source: Ophthalmology Times

Retail Sales Up Broadly in October; Wholesale Prices Down

Retail sales rose broadly in October, suggesting the economy started the fourth quarter with some vigor, and the first drop in wholesale prices in four months pointed to subsiding inflation pressures.  Total retail sales increased 0.5 percent, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday, after rising 1.1 percent in September. That was above economists’ expectations for a 0.3 percent rise.

In a separate report, the Labor Department said its producer price index fell 0.3 percent last month after rising 0.8 percent in September. Economists had expected the PPI to fall only 0.1 percent.

“The data are uniformly positive,” said Eric Green, chief U.S. economist at TD Securities in New York. Retail sales “is more than enough to keep the economy going. They continue to push back the recession fears that began this summer.”

The economy grew at a 2.5 percent annual pace in the third quarter, fueled in part by consumer spending. Consumer spending — which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity — rose at its fastest pace in nearly a year in the third quarter. But households are significantly cutting back on saving to fund their spending.

The New York Fed’s “Empire State” general business conditions index rose to 0.61, up from minus 8.48 the month before. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a reading of minus 2.1.

ADG&A continues to believe that the economy is improving on its own without the benefit of relief from Congress.  ADG&A clients should see modest increases in sales but are advised to continue to concentrate on establishing value when making sales presentations and when marketing their dispensaries.

Source: Reuters

Analysis: More Time Outdoors Reduces Rate Of Myopia in Children

A new analysis of recent eye-health studies shows that more time spent outdoors is related to reduced rates of nearsightedness, also known as myopia, in children and adolescents. Myopia is much more common today in the United States and many other countries than it was in the 1970s. In parts of Asia, more than 80 percent of the population is nearsighted. The analysis suggests that more exposure to natural light and/or time spent looking at distant objects may be key factors. The analysis was led by Dr. Justin Sherwin of the University of Cambridge, whose team concluded that for each additional hour spent outdoors per week, the chance of myopia dropped by approximately 2 percent. Nearsighted children spent on average 3.7 fewer hours per week outdoors than those who either had normal vision or were farsighted.
Source: the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Total Vision Care Revenues Increase 2.2%; Examinations Remain Steady in Past 12 Months; Intent to Purchase Improves

According to a newly published report by The Vision Council, the total U.S. vision care market’s revenues increased 2.2 percent for the 12 months ending September 2011.  According to the report dollar sales of frames increased 2.2%.  Contact lens sales increased by 5.3%.  The lens market was up slightly, showing only a 0.9% increase. Growth of eye examinations, which had showed gains in both the first and second quarters of 2011 as compared to similar periods in 2010, were down slightly in comparison and remained flat for the 12-month period ending September 2011.

Of perhaps greater interest, consumers’ future purchasing intent for prescription eyeglasses increased its score to 104, a gain from the index levels in the April to September 2010 period with a score of 92. This would suggest that more consumers intend to purchase eyeglasses within the next six months.

Source: Vision Monday

Today’s Quote: Thomas Edison

Last week I had dinner with a man who helps companies move their operations off-shore.  I got a fascinating look into a world I know nothing about, an insight into why we have so few good jobs right now and a better understanding of how difficult it will be to get our economy back on track.  During our conversation this gentleman quoted Thomas Edison.  The quote was so pithy that I want to share it with you.

“The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls looking like hard work.”

I just love that one and have been thinking about it for a week.

Thomas Edison said a few other insightful things.  Here are two more for you to ponder today.

“Nearly every man who develops an idea works it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then he gets discouraged. That’s not the place to become discouraged.”

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

You can find more quotes on the Brainy Quote site, www.brainyquote.com