This is such a cute optical. The staff is super patient and friendly. Willing to explain your options and not force sell things you won't benefit from. The frame selection is one of a kind. I love the detail and background on products I purchase. This helps me understand the value of my purchase. You can have an eye exam and order glasses on the same day. read more

I stopped in here needing an adjustment. I am visiting from California and had a different place adjust them earlier that day. Something went terribly wrong and the progressive lenses were out of whack. Iris spent 30 minutes trying to get the frame back in shape. I went back the next day and she spent even more time fine tuning her work. All of this was done at no cost, with knowledge and a smile. Always bring a second pair of glasses when you travel! If you don't, I hope you are fortunate enough to find someone like Iris! read more

I've been using Austin Optics for at least 15 years. Iris, Mark and Dr. Perlmutter are terrific. Recently my circa 1920's Viennese gold rim frames needed major repair. Mark performed "surgery" on them and they are now like new (thought still a cherished antique that I will wear daily). The price was certainly fair as it was an extensive retrofitting. Totally recommend them. read more

Iris and Beth are such a great team. Iris is at the front of the house and is a real people person. She was so helpful answering my questions and even researching the type of lenses I wanted and sending away for them. She's funny and no-nonsense. Beth performed my exam with wonderful bedside manner. She really keeps her exam room immaculate. Unfortunately my eye insurance sucks and they don't accept it, so I've had to go elsewhere to have the prescription filled. But Iris handed me a plastic form in the shape of the lens I sought, as well as a receipt and a copy of my prescription for ease of expediting when I do find a place that takes my crappy insurance. I really could not have asked for better service and I'm sad that I didn't get to complete the entire transaction here. read more

First thing is first. The question that I always had regarding being in business on Austin street was, "how is it possible to have so many optical stores, what do you offer that someone else doesn't?" I came to a few shops around the area including cohens. I really feel that all of those businesses are out there to milk the insurance companies with services you don't need and to sell you crap and charge you Austin street premiums. The best referral is word of mouth. I found out regarding this establishment through a family member. The client bought their prescriptions here and they delivered on everything they promised. When I told them regarding complications with my vision and I used different opticians and independently run stores to get better results. But in the end I still had blurred vision. They said, "use this shop and you won't be disappointed." I ended up coming in here for an evaluation and getting contact lenses. I got tired of wearing glasses and it was time for a change. I started wearing contacts a few months ago. It's a pain in the neck to put them on, but it got better with practice. Often times I felt as though the contacts wouldn't stick to my eyeballs. My previous optician gave me a prescription, and it was still a pain putting them on. Additionally, I still had blurred vision. I was greeted by Iris Alvarez and Dr. Pearlmutter. During the evaluation Dr Pearlmutter brought me up to speed regarding the shape of my eye and which contacts would work best. She spend quite some time to make sure that I can get the right prescriptions. Lastly, the fact that she told me which contacts would be a great fit. It took me literally 20 seconds to put on my contacts. Because the shape of the lens matched the shape of my eyeballs. Furthermore, it seems like this establishment is in business because they have Iris Alvarez and Dr. Pearlmutter who are pros in this business. They made sure that I can see clear and was comfortable with the service and products I picked. I didn't feel rushed, nor did I feel uncomfortable throughout duration of the service. They exceeded all of my expectations. This business is there to deliver on their services and they stand behind their products. They are not here to render bait and switch services. They're in business to provide premium quality services at reasonable prices. I Will definitely come back and refer friends and family! read more

I loved my experience at Austin Optics! Dr. Beth was thorough and took the time to make sure I was comfortable with everything. My contacts and glasses were ready in no time. Iris was consistent in following up with me. I was really impressed that I was given contacts to wear until my own came in, as no other doctors office or optical store has ever done this for me. read more

I was on the phone with Iris over the issue we had with the frame we purchased there. I asked Iris over a month ago to contact the manufacture to see if the warranty covers the damage but never heard back from her. When I called her today, Iris' responses are incomprehensive, unprofessional and unsatisfactory. She talked over me constantly which gave me the impression that she's defending herself. So I asked for the glass frame seller's contact so that I can contact them by myself. She went around and around to say she couldn't give me the contact information because she uses her own personal account number and other confidential information to communicate with the seller. She claimed that I was asking for her personal information (no, I did not!) so she refused to give me the manufacture's contact! Then I asked for the Austin Optics' owner's name and phone number. She gave me an email address austinoptics@gamil.com but went around and around again and refused to disclose the owner's information because that too is confidential! She insisted that she answered "everything" she could and hang up on me! We very much liked the optometrist there, but with this HORRIBLE customer service experience, we will never go there to spend hundreds of dollars on the pricy glass frames Iris recommended to buy! read more

Absolutely amazing staff and amazing experience at this optics store. The store was very clean and well kept, especially during Pandemic times. I especially recommend looking for a worker named Amy. She was incredibly patient and very helpful when I was selecting my glasses. Would highly recommend this store. read more

Iris and Beth are a heckuva team! I have not been pleased with the results elsewhere and gave Austin Optics a try. Beth is the best Optometrist I have come across. Very patient, nice, concerned and competent. Iris knows her stuff too, evidently a lot of experience. And patience. I can be challenging but she knows how to charm. The glasses didn't fit right but they do now... and a few doors down from my favorite coffee shop! Newly renovated shop is nice, I can easily recommend Austin Optics. read more

This was the best experience I've ever had buying glasses - and I've been wearing glasses for decades already. I have a super high prescription and the glasses the woman working there helped me pick out (the customer service in general was excellent) are aesthetically so nice that for the first time in my life I'm totally comfortable wearing them in public rather than only contacts. The lenses are also super well-made and far superior to my last couple pairs of glasses (purchased at Cohen's Optical) - they're thinner and look and feel much higher quality. It's such a huge difference that I felt compelled to write a review. I really recommend them! read more

I've been seeing Dr Pearlmutter for over 15 years and I do not trust anyone else with my eyes. Also I just had a pair of sunglasses converted into prescription transitional lenses and I love them. Their prices are much better than other optic places. read more

Update: May 10, 2017. After filing my complaint with the Better Business Bureau of New York they received a response from the owner, Iris. Her response is virtually incomprehensible, filled with fallacy and diversion. She now claims I went back to Austin Optics in April to complain about my vision..well if not being able to see out of your glasses because the frame is broken and you can't put them on your face is a vision complaint, then I guess you can call it that...but that is not why I was there. So ridiculous. I mean can you drive a car without wheels? I was there because the frames for the glasses I had purchased the previous August (2016) had broken. She refused to help me in any way. She just told me they couldn't be fixed and to leave. Then in her response to the BBB she droned on that I had had a problem with the lenses when I originally purchased them in August 2016. Yes, but that was corrected by the previous owner. She seems to insinuate that those changes were made under warranty. The lenses came out wrong the first time, because the Dr. made a mistake on my Rx..so back they went. Second time..the lab forgot to coat them with the anti-glare material, so back they went. How could I have a warranty on lenses I hadn't even fully purchased yet. Finally, the lenses and the frames are not made by the same manufacturer. Lenses are made in special labs. The frames are produced by other companies. I even contacted the company that made the frames myself and was told that all she had to do was call them and they'd work something out and that there was indeed a ONE YEAR MEDICAL DEVICE WARRANTY. The frame manufacture business only deals with its vendors. They will not sell to the general public directly. She claimed in her response that I said there was a 'lifetime' warranty on the frames. I don't know what planet she lives on..but last time I checked 'lifetime' warranties are pretty rare. There IS a ONE YEAR WARRANTY ACCORDING TO NEW YORK STATE LAW FOR MEDICAL DEVICES. She also said the frames were 'old'. I don't know what her definition of 'old' is but I know people that are walking around with the same glasses for years and years. These frames were less than one year old. Then to throw in a little more diversion she stated I asked to see the Dr. I didn't ask to see the Dr. I said I wanted a copy of my prescription. She then reluctantly took it out of the file and gave it to me when I said I wasn't going to pay the Dr. for an exam just to get a copy of my prescription. Of course the Dr. would have nothing to do with getting my glasses fixed anyway. So there it is - no offer, no compensation, no resolution, nothing. Anything she could think of to not be a responsible business owner and stand by her product. Just a ridiculous answer from a woman who if she keeps this kind of business practice up isn't going to be in business for very long. read more

Fantastic service. Iris is such a professional and knows what she's doing fantastic neighborhood store. A lot to choose from. I will be a returning customer. read more