Though we usually address frame selection in Buyer's Forum, there's no question that lenses are just as important. To find out more about how ECPs purchase and learn about lenses, Eyecare Business surveyed 349 optometrists and opticians on the Internet. While most(66 percent) rely on vendor or lab recommendations, a surprising 26 percent don't make lens training mandatory for staff. Here are the results by the numbers.

Q. What most influences your decision to try a lens?

More than six out of 10 ECPs surveyed rely on vendor or lab recommendations. Here's the breakdown: 37 percent base decisions on vendor information; 29 percent go with lab recommendations; 17 percent consult trade journals; 11 percent rely on peer recommendations; and three percent go on lab/supplier incentives.

Q. How do you keep staff current on new lenses?

Fully one quarter of practices surveyed don't make lens training mandatory. But four out of 10 practices provide time for lab/vendor training, and another 32 percent pay for dispensers' training. Of the remainder of those surveyed, 13 percent report they "suggest" their staff attend sessions and 13 percent leave it up to the staff member.

Whether it's this topic or another, we want to find out more about what you're thinking. To that end, we will be asking a buying question in every issue of EB. This month's question is below--let us know what's on your mind.

Joanne Schell
Senior Editor, Frames