Objective:
To analyze recent trends in comprehensive exam volume in optometric practices and provide strategies for maintaining growth amidst a cooling market.
Key Findings:
- National comprehensive exam volume grew 6.7% from 4.34 million in 2023 to 4.63 million in 2025.
- Annual growth rate dropped from +4.2% in 2024 to +2.4% in 2025.
- Average exams per practice increased from 2,119 in 2023 to 2,261 in 2025, indicating a flattening growth trend.
- Practices below the national growth average face urgency to improve performance.
Interpretation:
While the total number of exams appears healthy, the significant drop in growth rate indicates a challenging market where practices must adapt their strategies to maintain success.
Limitations:
- Data only reflects practices tracked and may not represent the entire industry.
- Focus on comprehensive exams may overlook other potential revenue streams that could impact overall performance.
Conclusion:
Practices need to shift focus from patient acquisition to retention and actively manage their exam pipeline through strategies like better recall systems and smarter scheduling to thrive in a cooling market.
This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.