NYC optometrist
October 21, 2018 10:41 PM Subscribe
Professionals of NYC, where do you go for grown-people eyeglass frames?
The time has come to replace my glasses, along with getting a new supply of contact lenses. I'm going to have a significant surplus in my FSA this year and I'm happy to spend it on getting actually attractive frames. But the place where I've gotten contacts in the past is a rather cheesy storefront operation, with the inventory to match. That's fine for contacts, but for something that I put on my face basically every day I'd like to go somewhere with a bit more sophisticated taste. For weird timing reasons, I don't already have "a place" here in the city.
My vision insurance pays for essentially nothing, therefore that's not much of a concern in the selection process. I'm severely nearsighted and astigmatic and starting to have old-lady eyes, too, though, so I need competence with those issues.
Warby Parker is out. Should be in Manhattan. Thanks!
The time has come to replace my glasses, along with getting a new supply of contact lenses. I'm going to have a significant surplus in my FSA this year and I'm happy to spend it on getting actually attractive frames. But the place where I've gotten contacts in the past is a rather cheesy storefront operation, with the inventory to match. That's fine for contacts, but for something that I put on my face basically every day I'd like to go somewhere with a bit more sophisticated taste. For weird timing reasons, I don't already have "a place" here in the city.
My vision insurance pays for essentially nothing, therefore that's not much of a concern in the selection process. I'm severely nearsighted and astigmatic and starting to have old-lady eyes, too, though, so I need competence with those issues.
Warby Parker is out. Should be in Manhattan. Thanks!
An upscale choice is Grand Central Optical - two locations near grand central. Optix is a local chain which also has higher end frames.
posted by shothotbot at 4:10 AM on October 22, 2018
posted by shothotbot at 4:10 AM on October 22, 2018
See Eyewear is a chain, but their glasses are high quality. Many frames hand made in Europe. There are branches all over Manhattan. Although my highly restricted insurance only covers glasses purchased in doctor-owned stores, See's discount for people with insurance essentially levels the price. I have astigmatism and fifty one year old eyes, and felt very happy with the eye exams in both Soho and West Village branches.
FWIW, I've had poor experiences at Eyes on Broadway, which takes insurance but the combination of high pressure sales job and expensive-yet-dowdy frames turned me off.
posted by Morpeth at 4:11 AM on October 22, 2018
FWIW, I've had poor experiences at Eyes on Broadway, which takes insurance but the combination of high pressure sales job and expensive-yet-dowdy frames turned me off.
posted by Morpeth at 4:11 AM on October 22, 2018
They're not expensive, but I had really good luck going to the brick and mortar Warby Parker shop in SoHo.
posted by ocherdraco at 4:27 AM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ocherdraco at 4:27 AM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
Some upscale places with interesting frames are Morgenthal Frederics (Soho, Columbus Circle, UES) , Vint & York (Elizabeth Street at Houston) , and Artsee Eyewear (200 West Street). Selima Optique on Christopher Street has some really interesting vintage frames.
posted by deanc at 5:02 AM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by deanc at 5:02 AM on October 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
I've like Pildes Optical and Surreal Eyewear. Me and my dad go to Surreal and he loves his unique European frames. I've also gotten a pair I like from there too. They're very friendly and low pressure, and you can just walk in. Pildes is more of a mainstream place, but their frames are nice and the customer service is great.
posted by starlybri at 6:07 AM on October 22, 2018
posted by starlybri at 6:07 AM on October 22, 2018
I've had Moscot recommended to me by folks at another eyeglass store as being a place that really knows their stuff.
posted by mosst at 6:29 AM on October 22, 2018
posted by mosst at 6:29 AM on October 22, 2018
Visionary Optics on 77th and Lex. They’ve been my family opticians for years (my parents and I both go or went there) and I can’t recommend them highly enough. Lee Gelman, the optomotrist there, is also great.
posted by holborne at 6:57 AM on October 22, 2018
posted by holborne at 6:57 AM on October 22, 2018
If I were getting new glasses, I'd check out Fabuous Fanny's. I think you'd have to get the prescription elsewhere, but people love their frames.
posted by cakelite at 7:27 AM on October 22, 2018
posted by cakelite at 7:27 AM on October 22, 2018
I like Bacchus Optician in the Gramercy area a lot, though I haven't been in a while.
posted by ferret branca at 7:50 AM on October 22, 2018
posted by ferret branca at 7:50 AM on October 22, 2018
I also love Moscot. Their Manhattan location is very busy and overwhelming, but they did a great job helping me pick my frames. The Brooklyn location is much less busy.
posted by Mavri at 8:01 AM on October 22, 2018
posted by Mavri at 8:01 AM on October 22, 2018
If you're looking for fashion, my wife swears by Selima Optique in Soho
posted by Zonker at 8:46 AM on October 22, 2018
posted by Zonker at 8:46 AM on October 22, 2018
Dita is pricey but gorgeous
Krewe is from NOLA and just opened in NYC
posted by sestaaak at 9:29 AM on October 22, 2018
Krewe is from NOLA and just opened in NYC
posted by sestaaak at 9:29 AM on October 22, 2018
You seem to want an optician, not an optometrist. I'd recommend Leonard Opticians at 24 W. 55th Street, 212-246-4535. If you really want an optometrist, please ask again.
PS. Be careful, there are other "Leonard"s that are unrelated to this one.
posted by JimN2TAW at 10:28 AM on October 22, 2018
PS. Be careful, there are other "Leonard"s that are unrelated to this one.
posted by JimN2TAW at 10:28 AM on October 22, 2018
Response by poster: Actually, I know what I want, but thanks for offering the correction.
posted by praemunire at 11:11 AM on October 22, 2018
posted by praemunire at 11:11 AM on October 22, 2018
Dr Ruvio at Eye to Eye on 86th handled a friend's astigmatism / hellish nearsightedness quite well, and both Iris and Hal were really lovely when it came to helping select an attractive frame (not an easy task given how thick those lenses needed to be!) and adjusting it properly to his face. I know others have had mixed experiences there -- some of the other staff aren't quite as good and can get stressed out when they're busy.
Moscot and other boutique-oriented shops definitely have a more interesting selection of unique frames, so you may just want to get your script done at a competent place and take it to another shop with more exciting merchandise. (Eye to Eye carries some interesting things, though, and if you dig around a bit or get Iris to help you out, you can likely find something suitable.)
Wherever you go, I would definitely recommend you get this done as soon as you can, well before the end-of-the-year rush where everyone's trying to use up their benefits at the same time.
posted by halation at 12:38 PM on October 22, 2018
Moscot and other boutique-oriented shops definitely have a more interesting selection of unique frames, so you may just want to get your script done at a competent place and take it to another shop with more exciting merchandise. (Eye to Eye carries some interesting things, though, and if you dig around a bit or get Iris to help you out, you can likely find something suitable.)
Wherever you go, I would definitely recommend you get this done as soon as you can, well before the end-of-the-year rush where everyone's trying to use up their benefits at the same time.
posted by halation at 12:38 PM on October 22, 2018
I've found Upper West Side Eye Care (212-263-2573) to be excellent for many years. New address (despite the name), 222 East 41st.
posted by JimN2TAW at 1:24 PM on October 22, 2018
posted by JimN2TAW at 1:24 PM on October 22, 2018
For the price of one pair of frames+lenses from a fancy brick & mortar place, you could buy 5 well equipped (hi-index lens, anti reflective, polarized etc) from zenni online - seriously - and choose the one you liked the best. You also now have some spare glasses.
posted by lalochezia at 7:20 AM on October 23, 2018
posted by lalochezia at 7:20 AM on October 23, 2018
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I've written their frames for years.
posted by JPD at 3:35 AM on October 22, 2018 [2 favorites]