About five years ago, the outlook on the optical industry was looking good. In most cases, statistics showed market growth from 1997 to 1998: retail eyewear sales jumped 2.6%, from $15.4 to $15.8 billion; the average price for eyewear rose 7.4%; and sunwear units sold (sunglasses, etc.) rose 8.6%, from 290 million to 315 million. […]