I have seen Dr krates over many years he has done cardiac surgury both eyes prior to his retirement great eye center.

they messed up my prescription 3 times. Diana was very rude, instead of offering any type of help she recommended i "just go somewhere else then" still have contacts I can't see out of and no solution. avoid this location at all cost. read more

Dr Chet is great. He's a talented and artistic eyeglass consultant. I got Masunagas, the best pair of glasses I ever bought. Lasted 10 years. read more

Dr. Chet has always been amazing and totally honest. I would not go anywhere else. Thanks. read more

Dr. Chet is a very nice person and it's obvious he cares a great deal about his customers and service. Plus the location is amazing, right next to the Armitage shopping district. read more

I've overheard the doctor badmouthing his only(?!) employee while she was fully with earshot. Who does that? So incredibly disrespectful, I can't imagine anyone like that to their employees does right by their customers. read more

In office experience was great. However, at some point in the past year during an out of state move, I lost the little piece of paper with my prescription on it. I called 3 times asking for them to email it, and apparently this is beyond their capability. As long as you like paper and pencil, it's a great option. read more

Purchase multiple pairs of glasses over the years. 1. Service: In just a few minutes, the owner will help you find a range of 2-4 distinct frames that work perfectly for your shape. No need to try on a million frames!! Just choose the one that works best for your personality, lifestyle, etc. 2. Value: The quality of the glasses is unsurpassed and the style is just distinct enough that people notice the specialness of each design. That said, you get what you pay for....be prepared to spend over $500. read more

Visual Effects has the most vast and high-end glasses I have yet to find in a store. If you're like me, and your glasses are your personality, there are about a million different choices for you in store. The greatest part is you don't get overwhelemed by all the choices becuase Dr. Chet is there to help you find the right pair. He knows each pair of glasses in his store like the back of his hand and has a great EYE for design and fit. At first when I called to book an appointment I was told I couldn't come just browse because the doctor wants to help with the fit, and they were right. Not only is he great with fit and fashion, but he's just the kindest person to work with. He's not overly pushy but makes you feel like you're shopping with a friend who has your best interest at heart. I recently had an accident where I fell off my bike and broke my new lenses I had just purchased, and Dr. Chet did everything in his power to get them repaired for me quickly and also at little charge. He understood my situation and worked with me and his colleagues in the industry to make this otherwise painful experience a whole lot better. I will be going to Dr. Chet for years to come not only for style but for my eye care as I trust him wholeheartedly. read more

Dr Chet does a great job picking frames for you. He is very detailed and I think that rubs people the wrong way. Some of the other reviews you can see that. We Visit here because he can pick great glasses for you which most people find difficult. He has strong opinions but that is the best reason to come here. Today my sister in law and mother in law were visiting and we got them glasses here too. read more

A great experience from the exam through the pick-up of new frames and lenses. Dr. Chet's exam was thorough and the frames he selected for mer were perfect. My husband told me that they were the best frames I have ever worn. Professional through and through. Highly recommend. read more

I've been going to Visual Effects for 10 years and will not go anywhere else. Dr. Chet has by far the best selection of unique and bold glasses. He's fantastic at choosing glasses that look best on your face and he'll steer you away from bad choices. He's the best and everyone I send to him becomes a repeat customer. I have friends who relocated to North Carolina and they plan trips back to Chicago to see him. I highly recommend Dr. Chet! read more

Excellent-- dr Chet was very knowledgeable and helpful with selecting new glasses. He is up to date on fashion and has very cool and unique glasses you may not find at chain stores. Service was fast. My glasses came in broken, but he quickly remedied the situation. Highly recommend! read more

Dr. Chet got in touch and took responsibility (after I posted my review, so I am guessing that may have had some impact.) I am satisfied with the options he provided. read more

I'm usually not a "Yelper," no shade. I'm more of a lurker-- relying on the sometimes harsh but honest reviews of strangers on this platform. That said, I wanted to chime in with the Yelp chorus to sing the praises of Dr. Chet. If you're in Chicago and looking for unique to you (your face, personality, hopes/dreams, etc) frames, look no further. As others have said, Dr. Chet has a real talent for finding the right frames to suit your needs and then some. read more

While the frames here are great, the service is spotty, the eye wear is way overpriced and they don't take ANY INSURANCE. I wanted something cutting-edge, and the first time I visited, I had a great experience with an employee (female) who worked there. However, every other time I visited this store, I was forced to wait an incredibly long time to get any service. The last straw was when I was forced to wait (after having to double park to even get in the store--that area is way too congested) 20 minutes for someone to fit my frames and ultimately, after waiting far too long, left without ever getting my glasses fitted (and they still aren't fitted because I have no intention of going back). The location is terrible, the hours are awful, the service is lacking, the frames are too expensive and they don't take insurance. Therefore, I won't be returning to this store and wouldn't recommend it to anyone else unless you've got the money and the time to burn. read more

I've been going to see Dr. Chet at Visual Effects for years now. He does have a good eye for fitting a frame/lenses to your face. A couple words of disclosure: 1. I definitely have my own opinion about what looks good. 2. My Rx. is strong (-7.25), so my lenses are thick. 3. I am using my flex spending on the glasses. Chet worked with me to fit me into larger frames that are fashionable, but not too 'coke-bottled.' (It involves increasing the top-bottom dimension more than the side-side one). I had gone to Eye Spy and saw some lovely and unique frames, but the price was $300 more than what I spent here. I have never waited for service and parking is easy in the lot in front of the strip. read more

well I am not sure what I did to deserve the only response from dr chet but I certainly do appreciate it! Like I said this was many many years ago and I do stand by my feelings, but it did cost him as I didnt use dr chet for my next pairs of glasses which ended up being damn expensive- more than even the initial pair from him -g-. Nonetheless, it sounds like the dr. is willing to soften up for those who may want suggestions (like myself) but do not want to feel 'pushed' or intimidated' into buying a pair, and specifically the pair the good doctor wants. Lets be honest given the price points folks who shop here are by and large successful types (me if I may dare say) and some don't take well to *perceived* pressure tactics. The dr may be falling prey to the 'self selection' bias when he mentions the returning clients all, as he says, 'demand' his opinions. yes but by definition folks who dont like that will not be returning clients so of course it appears all returners all like his style. Having said all that, perhaps folks should give his business a fair chance these days and let us know here on yelp if all seems well. The selection is good and he has outlasted places like A. Artimin which I just loved for great frames but alas too tiny and too few selections I guess put them under as I don't see them around anymore. read more

Great place for unique spex. Make sure to meet with Chet, he totally knows what he is doing. He will look at you and pick out 3 frames and you will usually go with one of those three frames. Yeah, he's that good. This place is pricey and worth it if you are wearing your frames every day-- great glasses are a totally worth while investment. I would say the ideal Visual Effects customer a city dwelling parent who is in the fashion "know" but isn't so trendy that they are switching out their wardrobe from season to season. if you feel like that's how you groove, stop by and talk to Chet. read more

I've been buying my frames from Visual Effects for ten years at least. I'm hard on my frames, over 40 years of wearing glasses I've busted many. I know what to look for-a quality, sturdy, well made product. I can find many to choose from here. Recently I had a pair of frames fall apart after 18 months-I brought them in, said nothing except give the receptionist my name. No crabbing at me "what did you do" or "do you realize how old these are". One week later a new set of replacement frames are on my head. $15 bucks for shipping. You get what you pay for, people. Dr Chet is a stand up guy. read more

When the realization hit that I had reading glasses every 20 feet in my condo, and the Target brand "4 frame packages" no longer offered the "style" or "cool" that I wanted, I did an extensive search for optical shops . There wasn't a "Best Of Chicago Eyewear" list that escaped me. No matter how many satisfied customers shopped at Pearle Vision and LensCrafters , I knew these outlets wouldn't offer the selection of frames I was seeking. I hit up multiple outlet places like "See" and "Warby Parker" and smaller operations like "Labrabbit" and "Visual Effects". After visiting 7-8 places, Visual Effects was the best. They had the most diverse selection of frames and the best customer service. Chet Steinmetz (aka Dr. Chet) completed an eye exam, making sure that I understood each procedure and the equipment he was using . Once that was completed, he asked me a few questions about what type of frames I might have in mind. After carefully listening, he selected 4-5 frames that he thought might fit my face. (Truthfully, if left to my own devices, I would have passed up all of them! ) Chet didn't know me from Adam, but his innate sense of style is uncanny. I'm looking forward to being able to read a paper and see across the room without having to switch glasses. read more

A friend recommended Dr. Chet a few years ago when my husband and I were in the market for some new glasses. We can't speak highly enough of him and his staff. As others have noted, he is *very* good at helping you select the right frames - even if you don't realize it until, as has been the case with me, about a *million* people compliment you. The hip young guy at the organic grocery ("Those are *killer!"), the middle-aged woman who works for our new ophthalmologist here in OR ("Where did you get those??") and on and on. Dr. Chet is also very nice in how he corrects your mistakes. The first time we were there, I chose a pair of sunglasses frames and a pair of regular frames. He picked up the sunglasses frames and said, "These were made for you." He then picked up the other frames and said, "We can do better." And, of course, he did. September 2016 update: So there we were, my husband and I, having lunch at a sidewalk table at a nice little restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale. A homeless guy came by asking for change - very politely,I should add. Before he walked away, he made a point of telling me how great my glasses were - and how well they complemented my dress. This after we gave him no money. Sheesh! I apparently am going to have to include these frames in my will... read more

Visual Effects has a really nice selection of frames that are competitively priced. I do agree with Sarah A. that the doc is a little gaga for oversized frames. The space is pretty modern and a bit too cool. The lighting is harsh and too direct when you are trying on frames in the mirrors. But, the frames are great so give this place a look. read more

I have gotten so many compliments on my frames- MY FRAMES! I trusted Doc Chet to fit me for my first time glasses since I didn't hadn't tried a lot of different styles on my face. The ones I settled on weren't what I expected I would get and thank goodness- they are awesome. I love these glasses. Love them so much after 4 months I went back to get a second pair- this time with clip- on sunglasses. Dr. Chet could not have been more helpful. I appreciate his honesty and his knowledge about every frame in the store. I think I now have a frame fetish. Thanks alot, Doc:) read more

My husband and I love Dr. Chet. He is so excited about helping you find the glasses that are right for you (or just giving you a thorough eye exam). He's honest about how the glasses look on you, the price, etc. etc. We tried on about 8 pairs until I had it narrowed down to two. I went with the coating, but I'm not sure I'm sold on it. I was sold on it when I tried on the comparison glasses, but I don't know that I can tell a difference now. Maybe I'm just so used to it I couldn't live without it. Dr. Chet has a great eye for glasses and I would recommend him to anyone. *** I was mildly stressed about the billing process (they gave me the receipt to turn into my insurance). That was my first time doing that, but everything went smoothly. read more

Visual Effects Optical specializes in finding glasses that fit your face type. Dr. Chet is awesome at that, so make sure you see him. Be ready for his strong, educated opinions, because he delivers them with the weight of an expert and won't hesitate to tell you, "Those make your cheeks look puffy - try this pair instead," if that's what he sees (my girlfriend said the same pair made my face look fat, so he seemed to be right on). I've worn glasses for over 25 years. These are the thinnest, lightest lenses I've ever had, and they're like seeing in high definition for the first time. And in the first two months after I got my first pair from here, I received more compliments on my glasses than I had in two and a half decades. I was overseas when I found out about VEO; I complimented someone on his glasses, and he said he got them here. He told the same story, about how this place sold him the best glasses he's ever worn, and people kept asking him for recommendations. That seems to be a common experience. That said, this place isn't for everyone. If you need them to submit your insurance (you can often do this yourself; it takes 5 minutes), or if you're budget-conscious and $600 for a pair of glasses is too expensive, then you can check any of the hundreds of other places in Chicago. (I say this simply because a lot of the lower reviews seem to be from people who either have different budgets or bad vision coverage, and it seems a bit unfair to lower the store's rating for that.) read more

Quick and easy appointment for contacts. No waiting for the doctor and Dr. Chet explained everything he was doing even showing me the pictures of the inside of my eye when I asked. I also appreciate how he didn't pressure me to buy another pair of glasses that day. Much better than chain or big eye care companies :) read more

I don't Yelp often but when I have such consistent and stellar experiences, I must Yelp! Dr. Chet is INCREDIBLE! I've been a patient and customer of Dr. Chet's at Visual Effects for over 10 years now and cannot dream of going anywhere else! Dr. Chet takes the time that each individual needs - he listens carefully, provides in-depth exams, verbal recommendations, picks out the most fantastic frames that flatter each person's features in the best way, and then ensures that his customers receive all the attention possible. I would not dream of trying to pick out the most flattering frames for myself because he's so talented and gets it spot on. I've had people stop me and say, "You go to see Dr. Chet for your glasses" LOL it's amazing. On top of my personal experience, I was there on Saturday when people were coming in from a variety of different states and overheard them saying that they wait until they are visiting Chicago to get their glasses and have been repeating the pattern for years! Wow! All to ensure they get the most amazing fit and complementary frames for their face/features based on recommendations from Dr. Chet. Thank you Dr. Chet for being so amazing!!! read more

Although Chet can be a bit arrogant, he actually does know what he's doing. He's amazing at finding perfect glasses for you. I've gone other places, but come back because I know I won't be disappointed. As one other reviewer noted, they don't take insurance, but you can fill out paperwork for an insurance claim yourself, which is not uncommon for eye exams and glasses. They have a way higher quality selection of frames than any discount place, and the selection is unique and flattering. read more

Visual Effects Optical and Chet Steinmetz were recommended by my ophthalmologist. I have been going there for the last 6 or 7 years, and have recommended the place to my friends and family. The selection of frames is fantastic, as is the service from Chet. He has a great eye for frames that challenge my personal style biases, which makes the process of choosing a frame more interesting. I have a difficult prescription for my lenses (one lens is much stronger than the other), and he helps me work around that. He is careful to check the workmanship on the lenses, and he will also let you know when a product does not perform as advertised. Many of the frames are indeed expensive, so I rationalize my purchases as "functional jewelry" that I get to wear every day. read more

I have been going here for at least 12 years. I will never go anywhere else, even if I move out of town, I'll come back to Chicago just for Dr Chet's help on his amazing selection of frames. Some may say he is a bit pricey, but I wear glasses all the time, so I don't mind spending the money to get something that 1- fits my face properly (I have a long narrow face, in other places mainly their children's frames would fit) 2- are uniquely an expression of who I am and 3-are on the cutting edge of fashion. In addition, I have gone to Dr Chet when something scratched my eyeball to make sure everything was okay. He and his staff were very caring and helpful. Really there is no other place to consider. I don't know what I will do if he retires! read more

I have been going to Dr. Chet for over a decade. He has the latest machines to test your vision. In addition, the frames he has picked out for me over the years always attract compliments. For best service be sure to make an appointment, although walk-ins are cool too. read more

I've bought two glasses with Dr. Chet and wouldn't go anywhere else. He has the best selection of frames, but more importantly, he gives great advice on selection and guided me toward frames that I never would have thought to try but love. I always get compliments on my glasses. Highly recommended! read more

I'll start by saying I knew nothing, absolutely nothing, about glasses. Being 24, I really only had eye exams in school or for sports. I have always had good enough vision to not need glasses. After starting a desk job I found myself getting headaches at work. I went in to Visual Effects Optical to look into something to help the strain on my eyes from the computers. After talking with Dr. Chet, we set up an appointment for an exam. I was running late to the exam and the staff was very accommodating. I had my exam with Dr. Chet and he was very informative and explained the process and procedure. It was a very easy, stress-free appointment. After finding out that I actually need glasses, and it wasn't just the computer screens, we chose frames. Dr. Chet has an amazing eye for style and what frames would look good on my face shape. It was more fun than I thought I would have picking out glasses! I look forward to receiving the frames soon! read more

Quality, hands-on customer service from owner Dr. Chet, and a selection of progressive, high-end frames I haven't found elsewhere. Pricing isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for. Visual Effects is small, personal, and very stylish. He also works with the Kraff team for Lasik surgery if you're going that route. I don't understand skimping on the one accessory that you wear every day. Excellent frames, excellent service. read more

I have been going to Dr. Chet for many years. He is very professional and extremely talented in finding glasses that look just right on you. Visual Effects offers a fabulous selection of glasses. Dr. Chet has a real talent for choosing the right size and shape of frames for your face. He will select 5-6 frames and they all look fabulous. He is very patient and understands it takes time to make a choice when selecting your frames. He has had a large following for many years in the area and there is a reason for that. read more

Soo...I went to this establishment last week hoping to purchase Theo frames that I've been wanting. I entered the door and I was greeted, THAT'S ALL!. Two ladies were sitting at their desks while I tried to find the Theo frames and NO ONE asked me if I needed help or anything. I purposely hung around a few more minutes to see if anyone would assist me so I just walked out! I will NEVER go back there after the poor or lack of customer service I received. read more

This is in response to the person who said that they do not take insurance. I had gone to Visual Effects years ago and have referred many people there since. In going to Yelp to look up their # again, I saw this review and immediately called them to verify what sounded like could be a new policy re: insurance. They told me that YES, they take insurance, but not directly. Instead, the customer pays upfront then gets reimbursed by their insurance. Now, if someone's insurance won't employ that policy, that's a different story. But it is completely erroneous and misleading to say that they don't take insurance at all. Normally I'm on the side of consumers with assessments of retailers, but I find a review like this, especially for a place that is dealing with something serious like your eyes, to be nothing but irresponsible. The review should be removed, as it contains false information. read more

I will no long go anywhere else to buy glasses/sunglasses/eye exam. For people that just want to be efficient when they shop, this is the place to go. I read fabulous reviews before I went here with skepticism.. only to find that this place rocks. Dr. Chet is great as another reviewer mentioned, he looks at your face and will pick out a couple of glasses that will frame your face perfectly. Out of those glasses that he picks out, I always get one of them. This morning, I went in to get a pair of sunglasses and a pair of regular glasses, I had picked out two glasses in less than 10 minutes! This includes the time that I went back and forth between the glasses that he picked out. I'm incredibly indecisive and my face is really hard to find glasses for - his talent is incredible. If you know me, I usually take months to decide on anything! I've gone to other stores before and I'm usually in there forever to not find anything that fits. I know my time is well spent in this store - for busy bees like me, this place is the place to go so check it out today! Here's a quick summary: 1. Great & quick service especially from Dr. Chet. He is extremely knowledgeable about how glasses fit & vision and he's mindful of your budget 2. Tons of glasses to choose from (they have the classic to trendy) and the glasses/sun glasses that you find here are not items you would find in other cookie cutter eye glass stores 3. Parking Lot read more

I grew up on Lenscrafters. I've been going there since I can remember and even when I've moved to different cities, I always go back to Lenscrafters. I finally decided to see what else was out there, and Dr. Chet was recommended to me by a coworker. She specifically recommended him because he helps you pick out frames that fit your face and style, as many other reviewers noted. Being incredibly indecisive combined with having a difficult face to fit with glasses, I am always in need of some major help. The eye exam was a pretty routine exam, but one thing I appreciated was that after he fit me for my contacts, he ensured that they were the right prescription. In fact, they were not, so I had to try on a second pair to ensure that they were the right fit and prescription. And, he recommended a new brand that already seems to be an improvement from my old lenses. Meanwhile, Dr. Chet assisted me in picking out a new pair of frames. He seemed partial to plastic, larger, more "trendy" frames that pop, but because I am not that kind of girl, I voiced my opinion and he helped me pick out a frame that was "in" but also more subtle and modern. I only tried on about 5 frames, which is a little scary when you are paying that kind of price for frames, but I was comforted when I read another review that said that is just what he does! Lastly, Dr. Chet really tries to make himself available to help customers pick out frames and seems to enjoy the process. I believe he only schedules 4 or 5 eye exam slots on Saturdays so that he can leave more time to help the customer pick out the frame. The only downside is that I spent an incredible amount of money in an hour, but it's one of those things you sometimes have to do and hopefully it will feel all worth it once I pick up my contacts and new glasses! read more