I have been going to Manhattan Eyeworks for years and have always found them professional with the personal care one gets from neighborhood businesses. Dr. Chu is very patient, thorough and knowledgeable. She gave me many different samples of contacts to try, making sure that I did not make a rushed decision. I know I will have a positive experience with them and look forward to going in and have them take care of my eyes! They are great! read more

I am not sure how this place was highly rated, but I found it interesting that Yelp filtered 14 mostly negative reviews out of the overall rating. Long story short, I am not coming back to this place and I would not recommend other people to come here either unless you don't care about getting extremely pricey options pushed to you and very rude unhelpful customer service. I came in November 2013 as a new NYC resident looking for an optometrist. This place took my insurance, got decent reviews, and was in east village, so it fit the bill. The eye exam was okay as all exams are, but the dr. kept trying to get me to get daily contact lenses over the monthly ones I was wearing. Okay fine, they might be better, so I asked her a ballpark how much more it would cost, and she refused to answer, saying it varies from person to person (what?). Turns out they cost roughly 4 times more, from $200 to $800 for a half year supply (at least for me). Lovely. So here's where things get bad: -They say my parents annual insurance that has me covered has already been used this year and won't renew until December 2014. Hello, it's November 2013 for an annual insurance. They refuse to double check. -They push and push me into buying my lens right on the spot. I've never had a problem before, so this is my fault for buying it without trying on the trial lens, but usually exams are pretty good at giving you a proper prescription, not this one. They refuse to give me a refund for a month. -After many messages and a number of phone calls. I get an exchange after a $20 re-stocking fee. I ask to use my old prescription (which has toric lenses), they claim they need a toric fitting fee of $30 because its special. I ask when can I come in. They say you don't have to come in, it's on your old prescription (so why is this fee warranted at all?). -I finally pick up my lens in store, I ask for a reciept. They say they faxed it to me and refuse to give me a paper copy. I ask for my prescription, they refuse to give it to me saying they faxed it to me. I check my faxes, it is an almost illegible scribble. -I ordered a half year supply with the intention of ordering elsewhere, but the only copy of my prescription is the illegibly scribbled copy. I am scared of asking them because I know from prior experience the owner is likely going to yell at me for an hour on the phone about why I am not allowed to see my own prescription and if I want to, I'll have to pay an additional fee. tl;dr don't come here. read more

I had visited many optical shops across the boroughs in my quest for the consummate pair of fashionable spectacles. Along the way, I encountered snooty attitudes, extreme laziness, lack of product, locked-up product, pressure to buy, false mark-ups, etc. Then I stumbled upon the whimsical, 60's-inspired, inviting website of Manhattan Eyeworks, which listed many of the designer brands I was looking for. A short walk from the L train, Manhattan Eyeworks has a good range of brands displayed in a user-friendly manner accompanied by the friendliest and most knowledgeable service--employees who are happy to let you try on every frame in the store near closing time without any pressure to buy. The website's promise of : "friendly non judgemental staff here to help with all your eyewear needs" truly holds up. In the end, I selected a great pair of Lafont frames that perfectly complimented the shape of my face and that work in the office or out on the town. Because this store accepts VSP, my insruance took a sizeable chunk out of the price. It only took a week for the lenses to be fashioned into my frames. read more

I went to Dr. Elaine Chu a few months ago for Contact lenses, an eye exam, and my eye glasses prescription. Dr. Chu was very nice and informative and seemed very agreeable. I told her I would like a written prescription since I wasn't sure if I would be purchasing eyeglasses from them at that time. The girls at the front desk wrote down a prescription and I went on my way. When I went to place an order online for glasses today I noticed that my measurements and pupilary distance were not included on the prescription. Thinking there must be some harmless mistake, I called the office and a man answered. I explained my situation and told him I would like him to give me the measurements on file so I could order glasses. He told me that they never take measurements unless frames are being ordered from them as every frame has different measurements. I told him this is not true, as I need the pupilary distance, and if those measurements were not taken (as I was initially assured they would be) I would not have wanted to visit the office in the first place. He responded that any place I go to to get glasses made can do the measurements there or they will do the measurements at their office for $45. I said that is ridiculous because I had technically already paid for and requested these services, and $45 is more than my insurance co-pay was initially. Also, I mentioned that I was ordering the glasses online so getting the measurements done would be impossible. The man on the phone replied that that is not their problem and that Warby Parker only charges $50 to return glasses. I don't know what world this man lives in, but $50 is a significant amount of money for me to pay for something that shouldn't even be a problematic purchase in the first place. Also I told him that I wasn't purchasing my glasses from Warby Parker so that really is not applicable to me and I would still like for him to at least see what measurements are on my file and pass those on to me. He began yelling and said that I could take that up with Warby Parker. Again I reiterated that I was not ordering from Warby Parker and asked him if I could at least get whatever numbers are on my file. He finally said he would fax me whatever was on my file. I asked him if he could e-mail it to me as I do not have a fax number. He said he can't do that. I asked if he could at least read me what was in my file and he said it wouldn't be different than what I have now anyway so it's a waste of time. At this point I was rather fed up, and particularly since the man hadn't asked for my information it began to feel like he was more or less holding my Measurements hostage since I wasn't purchasing my eyeglasses from them. As a result I told him again that this is ridiculous, not remotely helpful, and that I would write a bad review to reflect my experience. He responded that if I did that he would respond to the review and get his lawyer on the phone so I could talk to his lawyer. At this point I hung up the phone since I was now being threatened with a lawsuit for asking for my Pupilary Distance. I definitely do not recommend going anywhere near this office. read more

Dr. Chu is a very knowledgeable Optometrist and gave extensive information on my eyes and said her goal was to make me see 20/20... Very Professional and Friendly and trying to see if my insurance would cover everything and told me my options outside of my insurance... I'm glad I came back to Manhattan Eyeworks and left what used to be know as Eastside Vision who is now known as Eye & Health and would not even give you a glaucoma test without getting your eyes dilated first!!! A STUPID RULE!!! The staff was also helpful...I am your customer for life!!! read more

You'd think after spending so much for an exam, glasses AND contacts, a girl could get a little respect in here! Or at least a "Thanks, have a nice day." Let's start in the beginning- My eye exam started out okay, although I found it alarming that there was no sink in the exam room and the Dr. insisted on having loud annoying music going. After the first attempt at my perscription failed, I went back in to have it adjusted and saw the Dr. digging through the trash to find the original container the contacts he put me in (I'm guessing for the perscription) He proceeded to use hand sanitizer. This was the man who had literally had his fingers and hands all over my eyes less than an hour before. Without gloves. Eeew. I got my new perscription, and since I'd already ordered glasses, I asked the man out front if he could be sure to update my glasses perscription he ignored me. Yes, just straight up didn't even answer my question. After inquiring again, he said "Glasses and contacts perscriptions are different, so if one's changed it doesn't mean the other has." Really? Yes, actually, it does. After insisiting, I will never be sure that he got the perscription right. My glasses seem fine but I'm sure I'll never be coming back here again. Save your money, and go somewhere where the employees care, the Dr has clean standards, and they don't all act like spoiled children. read more

Let me first start by saying that I have been a long time customer of this store. Along with my wife and my oldest son, we had at least 6 prescriptions done here, including buying new frames. In fact, the reading glasses I have on right now were done at this store. I have been unable to fill in the latest prescription here because my insurance changed and they do not accept it. Instead, I bought frames online ( couldn't find the right one in store) and had the lenses done at a place where they do accept my insurance. The frames broke recently and I went in to see if they could fix it. They couldn't but they offered to resize them for a new frame, if I wanted for $20. I saw a frame I really liked and was ready to buy them. But before, I wanted to see if the place from where I bought the original frames would replace them. They did. However, I had to return the broken ones. I want back to the store to see if they would help in taking the lenses out of the broken frames and put them in the new ones. I was greeted by a very rude store owner who interrogated me on where I had gotten the frames and prescription done. He then proceeded in telling me to go back to where I had them done. When I told him I was a long time customer of his, he didn't care, told me it would cost $40 and walked away. I did the same. I was fully ready to pay $20 for them to help remove and replace the lenses as well as seriously considering getting a new frame ( $299). But instead, because I was treated so poorly ( after having had 6 frames bought and done here in the past), I left. I will never go back. For $20, and some misplaced ego, the store just lost 3 customers for life. Good job. While the counter person is very helpful, be prepared to be treated like dirt by the owner because he thinks that a business doesn't need to be helpful to keep customers ( read his comments to other non-positive reviews here and you will get a good sense). There are many other friendlier eyewear store in the neighborhood. Strongly suggest you go there instead. read more

The optician here is so good and nice - i had a horrible experience at East Side Vision,, which IS under new management. The receptionist woman was so freaking rude it was a marvel, and they messed up my glasses and claimed that i just had to get used to them. At Manhattan Eyeworks, he took so much time, and explained why bifocals are better than pharmacy reading glasses. He even tested my eye pressure. My glasses, which came from the Welfare shelf, are as snappy and nice looking as the designer frames, and I'm happy to get over my middle aged vanity and see - mostly. read more

Came here to get my glasses prescription filled. Fast and friendly service. Great recommendation on the glasses. My glasses were ready within 48hrs. I would def recommend them. They take VSP insurance. After my insurance I think I only paid $74 for the frames I wanted. read more

I came here last September based on Yelp reviews and had a pleasant enough experience. However, I recently tried to order some replacement contacts through 1800Contacts (they are way cheaper), and was informed by them that the doctor at Manhattan Eyeworks denied my rx because it had expired 3 weeks prior to my order date. It was pretty clear they denied it in an attempt to have me order through them, as they charge a bit more than the online competitors. Sure enough, when I called Manhattan Eyeworks the next day, they were more than happy to fill my order, despite my rx being a few weeks old. The guy I spoke to on the phone must have asked me for my cc number at least 3 times and even had the nerve to blame 1800Contacts for the "new rules." It was an underhanded way to make a buck and I hope the $75 they made off me was worth it, because I am never going back. read more

I've been getting my eye exams and glasses here for years, and I have to say that every time I've come here, I've been amazed. Dr. Chu is incredibly thorough and patient with me, so I feel very comfortable asking questions. The staff is always so friendly and accommodating. They have a great selection of frames, and they're always right in my budget. Awesome place, awesome people !! I recommend this place to everybody I know !! read more

I have to start by saying I like Dr. Raush. Very chill doctor. The place however offers HORRID customer service. I am a polite and loyal customer, and generally personable and in good disposition. The customer service was ok some of the time, not abysmal -- so far so good. But I was treated SO badly by someone on the phone when I called to ask a simple question, that I am in shock. He was dismissive, condescending, unhelpful, and rude. I regret to say I will no longer be going there in the future. I found out that the customer is ultimately unimportant there. That is a deal breaker for me. Too bad. read more

As the previous reviewer said, everyone here was very nice and helpful. I was schedule for an appointment almost immediately after calling in, the employees were extremely knowledgeable, and it's reasonably priced. My appointment started right on time and went very smoothly. Recommended for any nearsighted or farsighted East Villagers. read more

Dr. Chu was very skilled and guided me all throughout my eye examination. She's very personable and friendly... and actually cares about your well being. She treats you like a person and not a customer. Found my new optometrist! I just hope hey change out the decor cuz the random women on the walls are off putting. read more

Dr. Chu is so friendly, polite and makes you feel like she really has your best interest at heart. The woman behind the desk was also very nice and helpful. With my VSP insurance an eye exam for glasses was $20 and for contacts was $60. The place looks a bit run down, but it gets the job done so I have no complaints. I don't think I would buy any new glasses here, as the selection wasn't too great, but I will most likely be purchasing my contacts here since I get a $130 allowance with my insurance. If you're looking for a good eye doctor and a place to get contacts in the East Village, this is the place for you. read more

Dr. Elaine Chu is amazing! I highly recommend her. She was on time, knowledgeable and so so nice. Plus for a Williamsburger you can't beat the location right off of the L train at 14th! read more

I had let my prescription expire and badly needed new contacts. The East Village Manhattan Eyeworks is close to my office so I went at lunch. The staff was friendly enough and I got a reasonably priced ($99) eye exam. However, the decor in the store is a little troubling. There are these semi-erotic murals of women (one topless) that are just weird. I don't think I'm too much of a prude, but sexualized images of women in an eyeglass store is maybe a little inappropriate. (Think about it: you walk past these erotic murals and then go sit in a small dark room with a male optometrist... not normal.) The service was fine but not so exceptional that it compensated for the decor. I wouldn't go back. Nor would I recommend the place to a friend. read more

I love this place. The people are so nice. The doctor is great - he really puts you at ease. There is no sales pressure. I like that it's a neighborhood kind of place and you don't feel like you're just another customer at a big chain. Prices are great too. read more

So I bought my first pair of glasses here based on google, location (I live a few blocks away) and they take my insurance. The first experience was meh, even after I bought a pair of glasses they charged me for an eye exam (??!?!) and the service was a bit strange and pushy at times. So fast forward a year later, I came to get another pair. I was actually going to buy that day but couldn't decide between two pairs and told myself I'd come back 3 days later after deciding. The sales person decides to tell me my glasses may not be available in 3 days if someone else buys them so I should pay for them now to lock them in. Um, what? Then when I said its ok I'll come back later she tells me to charge the glasses now so they can start cutting the lens for me. I really dont understand why they were pushing me so hard, they knew I was a repeat customer coming back and was obviously there to make a purchase but they kept pushing and I decided to just walk away and look elsewhere. As a smaller neighborhood-type place they really shouldn't resort to tactics such as this. But whatever. Just an unpleasant experience with a very average selection of glasses that were very pricey. read more

Great glasses, nice people, no pressure. Frank, has a great eye and can can really help when you are deciding on frames, Ask for him if you get as stuck as I was, and he will come out and personally help you He is also very knowledgeable and can help you to get your lenses just perfect .I love this place.. They are there for you until you are happy. This is my second time getting glasses here. read more

This place is unprofessional. Needed glasses and an eye exam. Never made it to the Doctor because of the attitude of the people in the front. Wanted to support a small buisness... will take my buisness elsewhere. In response to Frank F., The review is valid, it's the second time at I had a bad experience at your place. Maybe focus on your staffs people skills more than conspiracy theories... Or don't. I just know I won't be back and will tell anyone i know not to go here read more

Getting an eye exam is pretty much the same anywhere. I used to go to Lenscrafters for eye exams, contacts, lenses, and frames, but since I've opted into visual health insurance, I've had to move to a network of private eye doctors. The staff was very nice and helpful while I looked at frames. I like that Manhattan Eyeworks stays open late, till 7 p.m. during the week. They have lots of frames, but most of them were pretty spendy. My frames look great, but they cost me about $300! Another thing to keep in mind is that they have to send out your order for lenses, so it will take up to 10 business days for the lenses to get in to the store. Probably will bite the bullet, come back to Manhattan Eyeworks, and pay top dollar for great looking frames in the future. If you wear them everyday, you mind as well get ones you like, right? read more

Walking by, I saw the sign advertising $99 frame and lenses. As the frame on my computer glasses recently broke, I decided to try them out. In one hour, they had nice new frames for me (with the lenses from the old pair, because that was my decision)! Thanks to Yolanda at the counter for her help. A good experience! read more

the best place in NY for eye care. Frank and Dr. Chu are amazing! Trust me no need to go elsewhere.

Dr. Chu is great. Obviously knowledgeable, but also approachable and willing to spend time discussing things with patients. The office also has a good handle on what my insurance does and does not cover so that I don't have to worry about surprise charges. read more

This place is great. I never wait, the staff is super friendly and professional, and they always work with me to save me $!

Once again Manhattan Eyeworks has come through with flying colors!! The frames they hooked me up with have immesurably improved my status as a single male in New York City. Thanks for the new look, It's amazing how a pair of eyeglasses can change your appearence and your situation. All of the staff were super helpful. Kudos to Frank and Grace in helping me with choosing the right frame. Many thanks. Rich read more

Went for an eye exam since I have problems reading using my current. The exam took 5 minutes at the most. Since their eye glasses were very expensive, I decided to not purchase glasses at this place. I asked for the prescription and the young girl behind the desk looked at me as if I had asked her for her lunch. She finally wrote it down on a piece of paper in front of her. When I went to a different place to buy glasses, they looked at the piece of paper and asked who wrote down the numbers. There is no name of an optician, just saying Manhattan Eyeworks. The eyeglass store advised to have a new exam to get all numbers correct including pupil distance which was not scrabbled down on the piece of paper I got. I finally had a thourogh eye exam (that took longer than 5 minutes). This exam showed very different numbers than my first ay Manhattan Eyeworks. I will never again visit ME. I am not sure even if the optician is real. How can 2 exams be so different ??? With my new prescription, I can finally see how to read again!! read more

Love this place!The staff know what they're talking about and they are very reasonable for the City!Been buying my sunglasses here for a few years now and they always treat me well,will be back as always! read more

Staff is friendly. There was an error with the price of my glasses but they fixed it. So all is good now and I really like my glasses.

I just purchased my third prescription pair of glasses here. I always ask for the works, transitional, progressive etc. Each experience here has been flawless. The staff is patient and friendly, the selection is varied, the doctor thorough and the turn around time is fast. It's a local business, which is always important to me. I highly recommend supporting this small East Village business - Thanks guys for giving me sight! read more

Went back to Manhattan Eyeworks today, this time for a contact lens fitting and I have no complaints whatsoever. Everyone was friendly and despite what a previous yelper said, I found that the doctor had quite the personality and is an interesting and funny guy. I came in with a bunch of questions, all of which were answered clearly. I walked out with a comfortable pair of sample contacts and I look forward to wearing the ones I ordered. I don't get all the negative reviews about this place. However, once upon a time, when I worked a retail job, I remember people expecting me to run to the moon and back for whatever it was they were looking for, all the while, treating me like a piece of crap, and expecting me to kiss their butts because of some stupid notion that the customers are always right. Man, I hate the entitled generation I was raised in! Anyway...I'll be back here again, I'm sure. The people here are real as can be. They won't kiss your behind aka "fake being nice" just to make a sale and I must say I'm a fan of that. HUGE fan. That's the attitude the East Village is all about...well, what used to be the East Village. read more

I would have given this place 3 stars but am resorting to 1 for two reasons. Firstly, my credit card was swiped for and charged 82 dollars in the store, which happens to be what I signed for. However, the next day my bank account showed up as being charged 112. When I called to ask about it they told me that it was because an additional test done on me in the office. Of course, I understand having to pay for what's being done to me but not having been told it was additional and then not having it on my receipt is not okay at all. While speaking to the receptionist on the phone I had to mention three times that I wasn't told about it, to which she replied "so you think we owe you 30 dollars?" I answered by stating that I have no problem paying it but it upsets me that I have to call on my break from work to settle it. At this point it finally dawned on this professional to apologize for any kind d misunderstanding. The second reason for the low score is the fact that they did not give me my prescription and when I asked about it I was told they could fax it to me (who has a fax nowadays?) or I'd have to pick it up in person. So now I have to take 2 hours out of my life to get down there and pick it up and go home, just great. The original 3 stars would have been given due to promptness and cleanliness. read more

Ive been going here for a few years. Everyone is very friendly and the doctor is helpful and professional. I highly recommend.

I just left Manhattan Eyeworks, and unfortunately will be forced to return to pick up my glasses. After that I will not be going back. Dr. Rausch was awesome and I don't have any complaints regarding my eye exam. And scheduling the appointment was very easy and they got me in 2 days after I called (which to me seemed super fast). However, a member of the staff there was extremely rude when "helping" me select my glasses. He was extremely condescending and made it very clear that he had no interest in assisting me - then passed me off to a female coworker. Definitely will be taking my business elsewhere. read more

REALLY helpful, kind staff. They are extremely friendly and approachable. Not the fanciest eye place in town, but pretty much what you'd expect from an east village shop. The playboy murals on the wall are a little strange, but I guess it adds character! Love the doctors and staff though. They are the reason I'll keep going. read more

I have been buying glasses and contacts from Manhattan Eyeworks for many years. The staff is warm and friendly. Dr. Chu is extremely knowledgeable and takes as much time as necessary to ensure that my prescription provides the clearest vision and most comfortable fit possible. read more

Great customer service and a wonderful selection of frames. Dr. Rausch thankfully corrected a bad eye exam from another store. They were also very patient with us in selecting frames. We must have looked at several dozen...but they kept with us until we decided on just the right pair. They have a nice selection of both wire and plastic frames ranging from edgy to conservative - something for everyone! Would highly recommend! read more

Excellent store with superior service! Staff was helpful and courteous. The prices can't be beat. Very satisfied with my experience. Highly recommended. read more

Went in to get my Ray Bans fixed. Very nice lady did it in less than 5 minutes and when I offered to pay (since I had not purchased them there) she said no. Any business willing to take care of a non customer surely does much for their own. I'll go here for any future purchases. read more