Independent optical retailers generate 43 percent of frame unit sales. Conventional chains and leased departments in department stores combined compose 38 percent, while mass merchants account for 14 percent

The percentage of adults who stated they would buy a new set of Rx eyeglasses or Rx lenses predicted they would buy photochromic lenses between the months of July to December 2004. Only 14 percent actually did buy photochromic lenses

15%

In the year ending 2004, the percentage of adults ages 18 to 65 who said they will probably or definitely have vision correction surgery. This is a significant increase from the year ending 2003. at 13 percent

Of all those who had an eye exam in the last 6 months, 66 percent had their exam at an independent. 15 percent had an exam at one of the top 4 chains (LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Wal-Mart, Sears)

The percent of females over age 18 who wear contact lenses. This compares to 17 percent of males over age 18 wearing contact lenses

Source: Jobson Optical Research/VisionWatch
Total Annual VisionWatch Sample Size: 100,000 consumer respondents per year.
* All data is for the 12 ME (months ending) December 2004.
Refractive Surgery data is for the 6ME December 2004 and Contact Lens data is for the 6ME September 2004.