NEW YORK—Reflecting a dip since August 2010’s high point, independent ECPs’ attitudes about business declined in October, according to the latest edition of Jobson Optical Research’s Optical Business Barometer (OBB) which is designed to gauge the optical business trends of eyecare professionals at independent optical locations.

The OBB is a monthly survey of a representative sample of independent optical retailers (single locations and groups of no more than three locations). Conducted online by Jobson Optical Research, the OBB is designed to measure attitudes of independent eyecare professionals about the current business climate and outlook. The OBB is based on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is “very negative”, 3 is “neutral” and 5 is “very positive.”

In October 2010, respondents’ attitudes toward business were at an Index of 3.2, compared to the September 3.3 score. The OBB started in January when the Index was at 3.6. The Index was 3.7 in March, subsided a bit through July and in August hit 3.7.

Retailers’ sentiments about how they anticipate business will fare for the next six months for the overall optical business remained steady with August and September at 3.5, but down slightly from July’s score of 3.6, per the Barometer.

The findings of the OBB reflect trends similar to those of the Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board and the comparable National Federation of Independent Business’ Index of Small Business Optimism.

Want to know more? The full Optical Business Barometer tracks the sentiment of eyeglass and contact lens sales as well as exam numbers and breaks out the numbers based on region, profession, age, location emphasis and more among independent eyecare professionals. To learn more about the full report, contact Jennifer Zupnick at (212) 274-7164.