Abstract:
The optometric industry is crucial in providing essential eye care services and products, ensuring
customer’s vision health and wellbeing. These services are broadly provided by two types of businesses: large scale and small and medium-sized optometric service providers. Small and medium-sized optometric service
providers operate at different levels of sophistication. According to past studies, small and medium-sized
classification is widely explored across numerous industries. However, Literature provides information about the
products and services provided by optometric service providers, but there is a significant lack of knowledge
regarding these variations specifically identified within the scope mentioned. Therefore, the primary goal of this
study is to identify and classify the small and medium-sized optometric service providers, carefully analyzing the
key business characteristics. To achieve the said objective, this study occupied qualitative data collection method,
in-depth interviews conducted with 15 small and medium-sized optometric service providers in Colombo until
saturation was reached. The study used thematic analysis to identify levels of sophistication. Optometric service
providers are classified into three levels: staff, product range, and equipment. Level 1 (medium-sized) has 4–10
staff, various products, and advanced equipment. Level 2 (small-sized) has 2–3 staff, a moderate product range,
and no advanced equipment. A single person runs level 3 (micro-sized) and offers basic frames, lenses, and only
a lensometer. This classification provides a clearer understanding of the structure of small and medium-sized
optometric service providers, helping industry stakeholders, government regulators, researchers, and business
owners optimize service delivery and resource allocation
