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Survey: Consumers prefer private physician for eyewear
A national survey found that consumers purchase prescription eyewear from a private doctor more often than from local optical stores, discount stores or national optical stores.
The survey found that 33% of those who wear prescription glasses last purchased their eyewear from a private doctor.
According to Vertis, the company that did the survey, both male and female shoppers considered the quality of the doctor the most important factor when choosing eyewear. Specifically, 95% of working women and 97% of working men selected the doctor based on quality rather than insurance coverage, the survey found. Taken together, national and local optical stores have a 43% market share, the report stated.
The survey included 3,000 adults older than 18, according to Vertis.
Among contact lens wearers, 37% made their last purchase from a private physician, compared with 17% who purchased lenses from a discount store and 5% who ordered lenses through the Internet or mail order.