Executive Summary
The market for ophthalmic goods and services is funded by the public sector,
in the form of National Health Service expenditure, and by the private sector,
by individuals who have to pay for sight tests and spectacles privately.
Key Notes estimates the market for ophthalmic goods and services to be valued
at £970m in 1996. Intense competition within the marketplace and
aggressive pricing policies have kept value growth down.
The introduction of charges for sight tests in 1989 caused an immediate decline
in the volume of people attending opticians. However, according to Department
of Health estimates, there has been a gradual increase in the number of sight
tests conducted to some 14.6 million in 1995/1996. This represents an increase
of 5% on the previous year.
The introduction of charges for sight tests is just one measure from a range of
legislative reforms introduced by the Government over the last decade to impact
upon the ophthalmics market and the healthcare service as a whole.
While overall sales remain sluggish, the contact lens sector has experienced
significant growth. The Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers' (ACLM)
annual statistics for 1995 show an increase of 12.8%, amounting to some
£53.4m at wholesale prices. Sales have been dramatically boosted by the
immediate popularity of the daily disposable lens which was introduced at the
start of 1995.
The sector comprised of independent opticians has continued to lose share to
the large retail optician chains. These players have increased their presence
in the market and the four leading national players now account for over 50% of
the market.
In the year to September 1996, total main media expenditure by opticians
continued to increase significantly to reach £33.9m.
While little overall market growth is forecast in the forseeable future, the
prospects for the contact lens market are distinctly more optimistic.
Eleventh Edition 1997
Edited by Kirsten Johnson
ISBN 1-85765-649-0
|
If you are interested in further information about the full Keynote report, including price and how to buy, please complete the following form. You will be contacted by Keynote who will provide you with the information you require.
Denotes a required field.
