Optometry Practice Valuation
Optometry Business Valuation Calculator & Exit Planning Built for Optometrists
We built one platform that tracks your optometry business's value monthly, identifies exit gaps early, and ensures your personal finances align with your exit timeline.
1,000+ Businesses have joined YourExitValue.com
Most Optometry Owners Have No Idea What Their Business is Actually Worth
Current Optometry Valuation Multiples (2026)
Optometry values are strong due to increased buyer demand from PE groups, optical retail chains, larger practices. Here's what companies sell for:
Every business is different. That's why you need to track your value.
Included in Your Exit Value is a complete Exit Planning Assessment where you track your progress quarterly against your results from the previous quarter.
Know your number and watch it grow
Most business owners guess at their value. You'll know it with precision.
Our platform uses six proven valuation methodologies to give you a complete picture of what your business is worth today—and tracks how that number changes month over month. No more waiting for annual appraisals or paying $15K+ for outdated reports.
See your trends. Spot opportunities. Make informed decisions
What Actually Drives Optometry Business Value
Revenue and earnings are the two most influential factors in your optometry business's valuation. But not all companies are valued equally. Here are the factors that move your number up—or down:
Optical Capture
65%+ Capture
Exams are the loss leader—optical capture rate drives profit. 70%+ capture means patients buy glasses where they get exams—this metric directly determines practice profitability and is scrutinized by buyers.
Low capture = lost revenue
Medical Optometry
25%+ Medical
Medical eyecare (dry eye, glaucoma) provides higher reimbursement than routine exams. Medical billing diversifies revenue beyond optical retail and positions the practice for healthcare integration.
Vision-only = commoditized
Associate OD
1+ Associate
Associate ODs handling 40%+ of exams proves the practice survives transition. PE buyers specifically want associate presence—solo OD practices face patient migration risk when ownership changes.
Solo OD = difficult transition
Contact Lens Revenue
20%+ CL Revenue
Modern frame inventory and private label brands improve margins. Optical margins depend on frame selection and vendor relationships—smart inventory management directly impacts bottom line.
Low CL = missed opportunity
Technology Level
OCT + Fundus
Specialty contacts, ortho-k, and myopia management command premium pricing. Specialty lens fitting creates differentiation and higher revenue per patient beyond basic contact lens sales.
Basic equipment = basic billing
Recall Effectiveness
70%+ Return Rate
Integrated EHR with optical POS streamlines operations. Systems that connect exam data to optical sales demonstrate operational sophistication and improve capture rate tracking.
Poor recall = constant costs
How to Value an Optometry Practice
There are approximately 40,000 optometry practices in the United States generating over $20 billion in combined annual revenue. As the optometry landscape shifts with online competition and private equity interest, understanding how to value an optometry practice has never been more important.
Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) is the primary valuation method for optometry practices. SDE adds back owner-OD compensation, personal expenses, and non-recurring costs to net income. Optometry practices typically sell for 1.5x to 3.0x SDE, with practices at the higher end demonstrating strong optical revenue, multiple exam lanes, and associate ODs who share the patient load.
Revenue multiples for optometry practices generally range from 0.50x to 0.80x annual gross revenue. Practices with a strong mix of medical eye care (dry eye, glaucoma management, co-management) achieve higher multiples because medical billing typically generates higher reimbursements and is less vulnerable to online retail competition.
The unique valuation consideration in optometry is the optical revenue split and online competition. Practices that have built a strong optical dispensary with premium frame lines and lens upgrades capture more value per patient visit. However, buyers increasingly evaluate how defensible the optical revenue is against online retailers like Warby Parker and Zenni. Practices that emphasize medical eye care services — which cannot be replaced by online ordering — tend to achieve premium valuations because the revenue is more sustainable and defensible.
Private equity groups have entered the optometry space, creating platform acquisitions similar to the dental DSO model. Groups like MyEyeDr. and EyeCare Partners have driven valuations higher for multi-OD practices with growth potential. Use our free calculator above to get your instant estimate, then track your value monthly with YourExitValue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What multiple do optometry businesses sell for?
Most optometry businesses sell for 2.0x – 2.8x SDE or 0.5x – 0.75x annual revenue. However, the range is wide. Companies with strong optical capture can command significantly higher multiples. YourExitValue tracks exactly where you fall on each value driver.
How does optical capture affect my company's value?
Optical Capture is one of the biggest value drivers for optometry businesses. Pe groups, optical retail chains, larger practices specifically look for companies with strong performance here. Improving this metric can significantly increase your multiple.
How long before selling should I start tracking my optometry business value?
Ideally 1 to 5 years before your target exit. This gives you time to improve your optical capture, reduce owner dependence, strengthen your team, and document growth trends buyers pay premium prices for.
Who buys optometry businesses?
Common buyers include PE groups, optical retail chains, larger practices, as well as individual buyers looking to own a business and strategic acquirers. Each buyer type values different aspects. YourExitValue helps you understand what each looks for.
What valuation method is used for optometry businesses?
Most optometry businesses are valued using SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) multiples for smaller companies under $1M in earnings, and EBITDA multiples for larger companies. Revenue multiples (0.5x – 0.75x) are sometimes used as quick reference.
What's the fastest way to increase my optometry business value?
The fastest improvements typically come from: 1) Improving your optical capture to hit the target, 2) Reducing owner dependence, 3) Documenting your systems and processes, and 4) Cleaning up financials. Most owners add 20-40% in 12-24 months.