National Consumer Agency
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and
Price Display
October 2011
Table of Contents
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4
2 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 6
3 Opticians Price Survey – Results ........................................................................................... 8
3.1 Standard Eye Examination ............................................................................................. 8
3.2 Eye Examination for the Purpose of a Driving License ................................................ 10
3.3 Contact Lenses Eye Examination ................................................................................. 12
3.4 Price Display................................................................................................................. 13
4 Key Findings......................................................................................................................... 15
2
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
Table of Figures
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Average Price and Price Range – Standard Eye Exam ....................................................10
Average Price and Price Range – Driving License Eye Exam ...........................................12
Price Display – Percentage of Opticians Displaying Fees for Routine Eye Exams ...........14
Table of Tables
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4
3
Survey Locations ...............................................................................................................6
Average Price, Maximum Price, Minimum Price, Range – Standard Eye Exam ...............9
Average Price, Maximum Price, Minimum Price, Range – Driving License Eye Exam ....11
Opticians Displaying Fees for Routine Eye Exams ..........................................................13
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
1
Introduction
This document presents the results of a National Consumer Agency (NCA) nationwide survey
of opticians1, investigating levels of price display and fees charged for a number of routine
eye examinations.
The study is the latest in the NCA’s series of pricing and price transparency surveys,
following investigations of crèche based childcare providers, GP/Dentists fees and price
display, baby-care product prices, branded grocery prices, driving lesson costs and domestic
heating product prices (oil and wood pellets). Through providing timely information
regarding the prices of frequent and important consumer purchases, the NCA seeks to
promote competition and to support the operation of transparent, healthy markets for the
benefit of consumers and businesses alike.
Although opticians offer a wide range of services, this survey focuses on the fees charged
for routine eye examinations to private customers, as opposed to any examination funded
in part or full as a result of Pay Related Social Insurance contributions or through medical
card eligibility. The methodology used is set out in full in Section 2.
Price may be only one of the relevant factors considered by the average consumer when
choosing an optician, with other considerations likely to include issues such as location,
opening hours, or familiarity/previous relationship with the practitioner. However, the NCA
believes that accessible and easy to understand pricing information should form an essential
part of the basic information informing routine consumer transactions and it is with this in
mind that the present survey was conducted.
The NCA firmly advocates the provision of transparent pricing information wherever
reasonable and possible in the supply of both consumer products and services, as it believes
that such information promotes competition, empowers consumers to make more informed
purchasing decisions and aids those seeking a fair deal.
The terms “optician” and “optometrist” are often used interchangeably, the latter particularly in a legal context. In this
report for simplicity only the term optician is used throughout.
1
4
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
The opticians surveyed by the Agency are not named in this report. The purpose of the
survey is not to provide details of the commercial practices of individual operators. Rather
its objective is to identify general trends in the area of price display and price levels amongst
this group of service providers.
The report is divided into this introduction, a methodology section plus two further sections
as follows:

Section 3 presents the results of the survey of opticians, and

Section 4 presents a summary of the findings from the survey.
The Agency would like to thank the opticians surveyed for their co-operation in the course of
this study.
5
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
2
Methodology
The National Consumer Agency undertook a nationwide survey of opticians between
September 12th and 19th 2011. The methodology used is outlined in this section.
A list of opticians was compiled using various sources (including web searches, Golden Pages
listings etc.) for 17 different locations across the country, as detailed in Table 1. These
locations were chosen due to their geographical spread and their urban nature. In the
Greater Dublin Area, four areas were selected in order to represent a reasonable crosssection of the capital.
Table 1 Survey Locations
 Dublin 1

Westmeath - Athlone/Mullingar
 Dublin 2

Meath - Navan/Trim
 Dublin - Castleknock/Blanchardstown

Kerry - Tralee/Killarney
 Dublin - Dún Laoghaire/Blackrock

Sligo
 Galway City





Kilkenny
Lett
Donegal - Letterkenny/ Buncrana
 Cork City
 Limerick City
 Waterford City
 County Louth*
County Wexford*
County Mayo*
*opticians were surveyed in a number of urban centres in these counties, for example Co. Louth refers to
Dundalk, Drogheda and Ardee
On August 29th 2011 a letter of introduction containing details of the survey, including the
full list of questions, was sent to each optician selected to participate. The letter stated that
an NCA staff member would be contacting the optician by phone during the week
commencing 12th September to complete a short questionnaire; however opticians were
given the option of completing the questionnaire prior to the 12th September and returning
it by post if more convenient to do so.
6
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
NCA staff contacted the remaining opticians by telephone between September 12th and 19th
2011 to complete the survey questionnaire. In the case of non-respondents or unavailable
staff, at least two follow-up calls were made.
Pricing information was sought on three categories of eye examinations (listed below), as
well as information on price display on the premises.
 Standard eye examination,
 Eye examination for the purpose of a driving license (Group I – Category B driving
License),
 Contact lenses eye examination – first time wearer.
The prices recorded for each survey participant were the full prices charged excluding
temporary price promotions and special offer prices. The quotes received have not been
audited in any way; they were taken in good faith and at face value.
The Agency believes that the methodology and the sample size for this survey are robust
and the Agency is confident that the results represent an accurate description of the levels
of fees charged and price display across the country.
In total, 122 opticians were contacted and from those, information was received from 103.
Therefore information was not received from 19 (16%) of those contacted for the following
reasons:

Refusal to participate [5], or

Unable to contact, no answer when calling [4], or

Too busy or messages left with staff members but calls not returned [10].
7
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
3
Opticians Price Survey – Results
This section presents the results of the survey of opticians. Prices for standard eye
examinations are presented in Section 3.1. Section 3.2 details the findings in relation to
prices for eye sight examinations for the purpose of a driving license while Section 3.3
presents the results for prices for eye examinations for contact lenses. Section 3.4 focuses
on levels of price display.
3.1 Standard Eye Examination
Table 2 presents the results for the 103 quotes obtained from opticians nationwide for a
standard eye sight examination detailing the average price, maximum price, minimum price
and price range within survey areas and nationally. Figure 1 illustrates the average price and
price range within areas and nationally for a standard eye examination.
The main results are as follows:

In two instances it was found that a free eye test is provided. In another small
number of instances, opticians stated that they waive the fee if the consumer
proceeds with the purchase of glasses. Other discounts are sometimes applied in
relation to students, children or long standing customers; however for the purpose
of comparison the full adult prices for first time customers were used.

The overall average price across all regions nationally was €322, with the average
price per area ranging from a low of €20 in the Donegal - Letterkenny/Buncrana area
to a high of €45 in Galway City, a difference of 125% (€25).
2
Figures are rounded to the nearest euro.
8
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
Table 2 Average Price, Maximum Price, Minimum Price, Range – Standard Eye Exam
Number of Average
Max
Min
Quotes
Price €
Price €
Price €
Overall
103
32
60
0

Range
€
60
Dublin 1
8
25
35
0
35
Dublin 2
7
30
60
10
50
Dublin - Castleknock/Blanchardstown
3
31
35
27
8
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire/Blackrock
7
33
50
20
30
Galway City
6
45
50
40
10
Cork City
7
33
38
29
9
Limerick City
3
31
35
25
10
Waterford City
6
35
40
30
10
Louth
6
24
30
20
10
Westmeath - Athlone/Mullingar
6
33
35
30
5
Meath - Navan/Trim
5
33
55
20
35
Kerry - Tralee/Killarney
5
35
42
30
12
Sligo
5
33
40
25
15
Donegal - Letterkenny/Buncrana
5
20
27
0
27
Kilkenny
6
32
46
25
21
Wexford
10
33
45
28
18
Mayo
8
30
40
25
15
The highest overall price nationally of €60 was recorded in Dublin 2, the minimum
price, i.e. €0 or “free” eye tests were recorded in the Dublin 1 area and the Donegal
– Letterkenny/Buncrana area.

The Dublin 2 area recorded the largest variation between the maximum and
minimum price at €50 and the smallest price range, that is the difference between
the maximum and minimum price, €5, was recorded in the Westmeath Athlone/Mullingar area.

Six of the 17 survey areas had a price range of €20 or more. Seven of the areas had a
range of €10 or less.
9
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
Figure 1 Average Price and Price Range – Standard Eye Exam
3.2 Eye Examination for the Purpose of a Driving License
Table 3 compiles the 100 quotes obtained from opticians nationwide for an eye sight
examination for the purposes of a driving licence, Group I – covering category B driving
license (car), detailing the average price, maximum price, minimum price and price range
within survey areas and nationally. Figure 2 illustrates the average and range of prices
surveyed within each individual area and at a national level.
The main results are as follows:

The overall average price across all regions nationally was €22, with the average
price per area ranging from a low of €14 in Louth to a high of €30 in the Cork City
and Galway City areas, a difference of 114% (€16).

The highest overall price, €50 was recorded in the Galway City and Dublin - Dún
Laoighaire/Blackrock areas and the minimum price, €8 was recorded in Westmeath Athlone/Mullingar.
10
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011

The Dublin - Dún Laoighaire/Blackrock area recorded the largest variation between
the maximum and minimum price at €38 and the smallest price range, that is the
difference between the maximum and minimum price, €10, recorded in four of the
survey areas – Dublin - Castleknock/Blanchardstown, Louth, Mayo and Waterford
City.

In eight of the 17 areas surveyed the price range recorded was €20 or greater.

In the majority of cases, the fee charged for an eye examination for driving licence
purposes was found to be less than that charged for a standard eye examination.

Discounts applied in some cases to students, or to long standing customers and one
optician offered a discounted rate of €5 on a Friday. However for comparison
purposes the full adult prices for first time customers were used.
Table 3 Average Price, Maximum Price, Minimum Price, Range – Driving License Eye Exam
Number
Average
Max
Min
Range
of Quotes
Price €
Price €
Price €
€
Overall
100
22
50
8
42
Dublin 1
8
23
35
12
23
Dublin 2
7
19
25
10
15
Dublin - Castleknock/Blanchardstown
3
28
35
25
10
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire/Blackrock
7
23
50
12
38
Galway City
6
30
50
20
30
Cork City
7
30
38
20
18
Limerick City
2
25
35
15
20
Waterford City
5
19
25
15
10
Louth
6
14
20
10
10
Westmeath - Athlone/Mullingar
6
20
25
8
17
Meath - Navan/Trim
4
25
40
20
20
Kerry - Tralee/Killarney
5
23
30
18
12
Sligo
5
22
32
15
17
Donegal - Letterkenny/Buncrana
5
20
42
15
27
Kilkenny
6
21
30
10
20
Wexford
10
23
35
15
20
Mayo
8
19
25
15
10
11
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
Figure 2 Average Price and Price Range – Driving License Eye Exam
3.3 Contact Lenses Eye Examination
Information was also requested in relation to fees for contact lenses eye examinations. In
general the process involves an eye test, followed by a fitting of, usually, a free sample
(where the consumer would be shown how to insert the contact lenses and tips for safe
removal and daily care directions). A trial period for the user to test the suitability of the
lenses normally follows.
Due to the various steps involved, the price information received was not considered
comparable by the Agency as different pricing practices are used by different opticians.
Therefore when comparing prices in relation to contact lenses eye examinations it is
important to be aware of the different steps involved and to verify that the price quoted is
for the service or product that one requires.
12
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
3.4 Price Display
For ease of comparison, price display in this instance refers to the prices charged for routine
eye examinations only. Table 4 and Figure 3 present the level of price display for routine eye
examinations at national level and for each of the 17 areas surveyed.
Overall, 62%3 of opticians display prices (64 out of 103). It can be seen that there is wide
variation in the level of price display, ranging from 90% in Wexford to 33% in three locations
– Kilkenny, Louth and Dublin – Castleknock/Blanchardstown. 10 of the 17 survey areas have
a display rate of 60% or more.
Table 4 Opticians Displaying Fees for Routine Eye Exams
Number
Surveyed
3
Overall
103
Number
displaying
prices
64
Price
display
%
62%
Dublin 1
8
4
50%
Dublin 2
7
4
57%
Dublin - Castleknock/Blanchardstown
3
1
33%
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire/Blackrock
7
5
71%
Galway City
6
5
83%
Cork City
7
4
57%
Limerick City
3
2
67%
Waterford City
6
5
83%
Louth
6
2
33%
Westmeath - Athlone/Mullingar
6
4
67%
Meath - Navan/Trim
5
2
40%
Kerry - Tralee/Killarney
5
4
80%
Sligo
5
3
60%
Donegal - Letterkenny/Buncrana
5
3
60%
Kilkenny
6
2
33%
Wexford
10
9
90%
Mayo
8
5
63%
Figures are rounded to the nearest percentage.
13
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
Figure 3 Price Display – Percentage of Opticians Displaying Fees for Routine Eye Exams
14
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
4
Key Findings
The main results of the National Consumer Agency’s survey of opticians conducted in
September 2011 are as follows:
Standard Eyesight Examination

The average price across all regions nationally was €32, with the average price per
area ranging from a low of €20 (Donegal - Letterkenny/Buncrana) to a high of €45
(Galway City) a difference of €25.

The highest price of €60 was recorded in Dublin 2, the minimum price (i.e. free eye
tests) was found in Dublin 1 and the Donegal - Letterkenny/Buncrana area, a
difference of €60.

Dublin 2 recorded the largest variation between the maximum and minimum price at
€50 and the smallest price range, €5, was recorded in the Westmeath Athlone/Mullingar area. Six of the 17 survey areas had a price range of €20 or more.
Driving License Eyesight Examination

The overall average price across all regions nationally was €22, with the average
price per area ranging from a low of €14 in Louth to a high of €30 in the Cork City
and Galway City areas, a difference of €16.

The highest price recorded was €50 (Galway City and Dublin - Dún
Laoighaire/Blackrock) and the minimum price of €8 was recorded in Westmeath Athlone/Mullingar, a difference of €42.

The Dublin - Dún Laoighaire/Blackrock area recorded the largest variation between
the maximum and minimum price at €38 and the smallest price range of €10 was
recorded in four of the survey areas – Dublin - Castleknock/Blanchardstown, Louth,
Mayo and Waterford City.
15
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011
Price Display of Examination Fees

62% of opticians display prices (64 out of 103); ranging from 90% in Wexford to 33%
in three locations – Dublin – Castleknock/Blanchardstown, Kilkenny and Louth.
16
Opticians - Levels of Fees Charged and Price Display
October 2011