DALLAS—Essilor of America announced the results of a study that evaluates the emerging Internet marketplace and its potential impact on the eyecare profession. The research reviews the current Internet marketplace environment and assesses ECPs’ perception of the issues and challenges of this channel.

Among the many findings of the study: While two-thirds of ECPs surveyed believe online purchasing is a growing trend in the eyecare industry, only about one-third of respondents see online purchasing as the future of the eyecare industry.

“Essilor is using the research results to clearly evaluate and determine how to best help Essilor and ECPs address this imminent trend,” said Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, Dipl., vice president, customer development for Essilor. “We are proactively working to help ECPs better understand the changing marketplace and shift in consumer attitudes, bridge these gaps and to integrate this offering into their toolbox in a way that expands their businesses.”

As part of the research initiative, Essilor assembled groups of ECPs to learn more about how they perceive the issues and challenges of this channel, as well as to understand their experiences, frustrations, successes and fears. ECPs had an opportunity to share key insights and personal perspectives through forums held in conjunction with research partner, Jobson Medical Information, in Las Vegas, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, and New York City. The feedback from these forums will be applied to the ultimate direction of future Essilor programming and planning resulting from the research, Essilor said.

Read more highlights of the study—just posted today in  Online Trends, a new tab on VisionMonday.com.