I made an appointment to get my eyes checked and had to reschedule once and was very courteously treated. When I arrived for my appointment, it was very busy and the customer service was a bit brusque, but all in the nature of being a New Yorker. My appointment with Dr. Furman was great and she was very informative and eager to answer my questions, which was much appreciated. The selection of glasses is wide and the customer service is great. The front desk lady is very willing to help select a frame that works well with my facial structure. I had to have my glasses readjusted twice and was pleasantly pleased by the willingness to help. Overall, a wholesome family ophthalmology office. Will be back in 2020 for another pair and another exam! read more

Most wonderfull full service mom and pop shop with a beautiful selection including in their $100 readers line. I wish there were more businesses that showed this level of concern for customer satisfaction. read more

I called ahead for an eye exam and was told that it would be covered by Medicare, and that it was not necessary to consider my Medicare Advantage coverage. I was satisfied with the exam itself, but was surprised when they presented me with a bill for $30 for refraction, which is not covered by Medicare; they are not in network for my Advantage plan (Cigna), so I had to pay out of pocket. They should have let me know that the refraction would be out of pocket on the phone when I initially asked about coverage. read more

Called in to make an appointment and was assisted by a rude office assistant. Won't bother making that appointment...

I love disrupters in traditionally antiquated industries, so I have to be the hardest customer for a traditional optician to keep, but I literally look forward to my visits to Dr. Furman's office. Their level of service and knowledge is impressive to say the least. I started coming when I moved to the neighborhood 3 years ago and have since moved to Chelsea, but have no plans of changing offices. They answer the questions you're thinking and help figure out all the options available to you. The friendly, and easy-to-talk-to staff will break down your insurance benefits and rebates to find the most cost effective treatment plan. They will explain what frames look best based on your facial and eye structure and you will leave feeling glad you took the time to come in. read more

I'm still waiting for my glasses, but I also appreciate the kindness and professionalism of the staff here. I have visited twice. Once, I was told that the change in my prescription was negligible, so I should wait to have new glasses made. This time, I eagerly await a new pair. read more

Dr. Furman IS THE BEST! I was recommended to come here from a family friend who has been going here for 20+ years. She gave me hope after a long plane ride & lots of pain behind my eye, I was worried I was having a disconnected retna ... She calmed me down and checked me out and everything turned out fine....and When i returned to fix a pair of specially colored lenses for my S.S.S. She remembered me and asked how I was doing. They are so helpful and accommodating. And have such a great selection of interesting lenses. Great Gem in the city. read more

Very small place and yet cozy, The front girl isn't very helpful and 2 out of 3 times that I've seen her she has an attitude and made me feel like she was annoyed that I was asking her questions. The Doctor Pamela Furman is a very sweet person and I comeback would be for her. read more

I have been using West Side Opticians for the last 20 years. They have amazing customer service and care. Plus their lenses are very reasonable in price. Understanding and patience staff. read more

These people went out of their way to repair my broken glasses, sending away for spare parts, coming in early in the morning so I could give them the glasses and still get to work on time. They did a difficult job in extra-quick time, and they did it well! It involved several phone calls, and they always returned my calls and were willing to help. Good place!! read more

Terrible, horrible, awful, rude, unprofessional would all be appropraite words for this eye care center. Worst experience at an eye doctor ever....it felt like I was interupting their day, and today I called with a question and was promptly ushered off the phone. AWFUL. Don't waste your time or money. Never again will I visit. read more

I went in twice for eye exam and follow up and had to wait over 20 minutes after my appointment time both times. The people in the front aren't very friendly (kept saying, we'll see you shortly) or professional. The doctor is very nice but doesn't run a very tight ship. I won't be going back again. Good luck read more

I moved to the UWS recently and needed a new contacts Rx. I found West Side Opticians and had a great experience. First of all, as a working person, I really appreciate their hours (open til 6:30, and on Saturdays!). I saw Dr. Furman and she gave me her email address to correspond further about my Rx. She even looked at my vision insurance benefits and told me whether it would make more sense to use my insurance to pay for new contacts or new glasses, since I wanted both. This is a very neighborhood-y place with a friendly staff and nice, small, old time New York feel. I will use them going forward and send my husband there too! One star docked for not taking credit cards for eye exams. read more

I walked in a couple days ago with a broken frame on a pair of glasses that I had purchased years ago somewhere else -- so I was not a prior customer, and they had no responsibility for the frame, which was beyond repair. Yet the very friendly and professional staff took the time to find another frame that I liked and that would hold the lenses from the broken glasses, and then carefully made sure that the focus (they are progressive lenses) and the fit were perfect. This was at no cost to me other than the (inexpensive) cost of the new frame. It was a very positive experience and I look forward to getting new lenses and glasses there in the future. read more

West Opticians was recommended to me by a coworker. I've been a patient there for 4 years and I've recommended them to other friends. The professionalism and kindness of Dr. Furman and her staff is par none. Dr. Furman's exams are thorough and efficiently done. Their eyeglass selection isn't as extensive as some other retailers. However, the staff takes the time to help you select the frame that is right for you. The contacts lens prices are comparable to other retailers and often they have mail-in rebates available. read more

I'm pretty happy with my experience at this place. I've visited other places and I have to say, this place was great. The staff was great, my exam was quick and my glasses were ready when they said they would be. I would definitely go back to this place and recommend it to folks I know. read more

We've been going to West Side Opticians to get contacts for my daughter for several years. Recently we had an issue, too boring to get into, in which they misquoted us a price, in which we went to 1-800-contacts, in which WSO got back to me saying they had been mistaken and also that their price is better than online contact brokers. They cancelled the online order for us, etc. Ordered contacts. I realize I AM getting boring, but then we realized we hadn't needed the extras, that my daughter should have another 6 months. We found in the house after ordering new from WSO and they couldn't have been nicer about now cancelling THAT order. Shelly, in particular, is so lovely. And because my teenage daughter waits until the last minute to refill orders. Shelly is always willing to give her a pair of lenses to last until the next order. Great staff. Courteous. Fast service. read more

I am so impressed with this place. Every single person who works there is, in my experience, courteous, patient, helpful, and competent. I went there to get glasses made with what turned out to be a faulty prescription from an ophthalmologist who'd goofed, and they were incredibly helpful and supportive through the process of figuring out what had gone wrong and getting it fixed. Every step of the eye-measuring and fitting process was done with care and state-of-the-art machines. Even though it looks like just a tiny neighborhood shop, they also have an impressive array of attractive frames in stock, including stylish & funky models as well as more conservative choices. They also cut many of the lenses right there in the shop. Not cheap, but their prices are definitely less than I've seen at other higher-end glasses shops in NYC that offer much less in terms of service, so I'd say their prices are fair, and they also went out of their way to figure out the best way to make optimal use of my (pretty meager) insurance benefits to bring the price down. If you're considering using one of the big chains like Lens Crafters (where people are always complaining about the lenses coming out wrong), it might well be worth your while to at least do a price comparison at West Side - you might be able to get amazing glasses here for around the same price and know they'll come out perfect. read more

My experience at West Side Opticians was amazing! The staff was very patient and kind with me and super proficient at their jobs! I felt that I was with experts who are competent and reliable, which was comforting and pleasurable. I highly recommend this shop for your eye care. read more

I went in for an eye exam. The Dr. was fine, got the job done. But she didn't want to measure my PD (which I understand a lot of doctors refuse because they want you to buy glasses in their store), but it is part of your prescription and should be given upon request. Especially because she was getting the $ from my insurance for the eye exam - it's not like I wandered in and asked for a PD measure alone. The whole tone of the exam was get you done and out. She kind of treated me like I was an idiot - which maybe is what i came off as, but still. In general, a meh experience. Will be finding a new doctor for next check-up. read more

I can't even begin to comment on how wonderful this place is. Prices are not outrageous, service is top notch, and there is a diverse selection of frames from Europe. The team who works here is very dedicated, very friendly, and has a very good sense of humor. I've made 4 trips in the last 4 months, and it seems as if every time it has been a "rush order" on account of extraneous circumstances and some poor planning on my part. Regardless, West Side Opticians has delivered with a smile, and what I love the most is that they never forget who you are--strong family feel. They even stayed late for me today when a simple order for contacts turned into a new set of sunglasses. I am a customer for life. read more

I would have to agree that they are a bit aloof and quite unfriendly. They do not make you feel comfortable at all. The doctor is not friendly at all. She also isn't in a lot so it can be quite tough to get to her. When you have a request for her, the people at the desk are very un-accommodating. Will not go there anymore. read more

They were nice and took their time with me in explaining different lenses I could buy for my frames. Prices are also excellent and service fast. read more

I purchased glasses at West Side Opticians last year for a bit over $600. I am very unhappy with how scratched the lenses are and how easily they smudge. When I purchased them I was NOT told that I could get lenses that do not scratch and less prone to smudges. Perhaps I should have asked, but I have been told that they should have offered the options. They did not. I now want to replace these glasses but am resentful that this could have been avoided with just a bit of decent service at the time of purchase. Even though I live next door, I will not go back. By the way, it was the owner who sold me the glasses, not someone with little experience. read more

Wonderful longtime neighborhood store. Great selection, knowledgeable staff and incredible customer service. Beats the "fashionable places hands down. - A. Friedman, NYC read more