Some statistics about US optical industry
In USA, statistics about Eye Care Professionals are as follow.
According to the Dept of Labor, as of May 2004, there are about 17000 ophthalmologists, 66000 opticians in the United States. As of 2007, there are 35000 optometrists who are the members of American Optometric Association.
Among the 66000 opticians, which is the biggest group within the ECPs, about 33% working on the optical chain store like Pearle Vision and LensCrafters, 30% working in the optometrist’s offices, 10% in the ophthalmologists’ offices and about 6% working on their own independent business, and the balance 21% working in the optical dept of the dept stores, superstores, warehouse club, and general merchandise stores.
Based on the survey conducted by VisionWatch in 2006, the lenses sold throughout US with the following composition: about 51% of the lenses are the basic single vision lenses, for either distance or reading purpose, 26.7% of the lenses are progressive lenses for people over 40, 22.5% of the lenses are the bifocal or multifocal lenses which is also for older people.
For the tricky add-ons, 22% of patients choose AR coating (Anti-reflective coating), 14% of the eyeglasses wearers select photochromic lenses which automatically darkens in the outdoor, which are refered as prescription sunglasses.