Optik Birmingham

Amazing selection and fantastic service. Frankly I’m shocked by any negative reviews. Employees were all so friendly, helpful and accommodating (without being overbearing). For what it’s worth, I was also a total slob at the time (like sweaty– frumpy– old workout clothes– slobby).
*They have SHARKLION — the best frames ever made here in Detroit from all reclaimed materials.

I wanted optical frames by Mykita, and turns out Optik is the only place in Michigan that carries them! They also carry a variety of other beautiful frames from stylish brands, such as Thom Browne and Dita, which I would love to have if my eyes weren’t so bad. As a side note, Dear Optik, please consider carrying Orgreens as well. ;)
The first time I stopped in, Kierstin (I’m sorry if I’m misspelling your name) helped me pick out a few frames from Mykita, as well as a few other frames that she thought would be suitable. She was very patient in listening to my concerns and needs (ie: super duper myopic!). Amy was also there and gave a lot of useful input as well, and it was very helpful to have more opinions! I was still shopping around for other options at other shops, and at no time was there any pressure to purchase frames. But I returned the next day because…
I had to have the frames. Amy helped me with the transaction. She also gave me 20% off, because she’s a wonderful angel of a human being! My frames were ready after 5 weeks, which I understand was due to the fact that they had to be shipped from overseas since I wanted a particular color that wasn’t available at Optik. (The one thing I would have to comment on is maybe giving an update call to let me know what’s going on with my frames.) Adam helped me with the fitting of my frame, and patiently helped me adjust them many times before I was satisfied. I was also shocked to see how thick my lens were at first, since my older heavier frames always concealed the width. However, Adam was extremely accommodating and let me know that if within the next two-​three weeks I decided that I did not like them, he would take them back and we could decide on a new frame. That to me is absolutely excellent customer service.
I’d also like to note that contrary to some of the other reviews from earlier, I was treated respectfully by all of the staff that I interacted with. I am also relatively young (and am occasionally still mistaken for a teenager…), and did not look particularly put together but at no time during my interactions at Optik did I feel like a second class citizen. Maybe there was a change in staff, but all in all, Amy, Kiersten, and Adam were wonderful to work with!
PS: I love my frames. :)

I was referred to Optik and was so happy that I decided to visit Dr. Joe and his extremely friendly and professional front office team. Everyone in the office was incredibly helpful and very personable. Dr. Joe also came to greet me and even took part in helping me choose a pair of glasses. We eventually settled on a very unique pair of frames that were made from vinyl (yes, records!) and some contacts. Dr. Joe and his team really made me feel part of the boutique experience and I am not disappointed! Optik also offers a very, very cool section of vintage glasses and some very cool jewelry. There is truly something for everyone at Optik and I encourage anyone to experience what great Customer Service is all about. Thank you, Dr. Joe and team!

I have worn glasses since I was a kid. I got contacts in the 6^th grade and never saw well in my glasses compared to contacts. I had a pair of frames as back up that were stolen (boo Delta airlines). So, I was on the hunt for a pair of stylish, unique frames. I had recently been to an eye Dr in the area — but the technician was very confusing with the ‘better 1, better 2′ exercise to determine my glasses prescription — I wasn’t comfortable that the new lenses would be accurate if I used that script.
I found Optik first because they had the best selection of frames in the area. I have a very thin face and so we went through many frames. The staff was HUGE help — I would have tried on 100 frames, but there were able to pick out styles that worked and were quick to tell me which frames were in the ‘good pile’ and the ‘no way’ pile. They were so patient with me — as I had to keep thinking about which frame I wanted, take pictures and then even bring my mom in from Ohio to help me decide which frame to buy.
I got to meet Dr. Joe for my prescription check and was so thrilled to learn that they had this machine that was able to read your prescription to the one hundredth (.001) measure (whereas the traditional lenses only are .25) Joe spent so much time explaining my prescription and showed me how my sight is at night as well. He went over the different pricing options and was not pushy in telling me to spend the additional money on the machine prescription. The difference in lens price was truly nominal — so any other person (especially in Birmingham) would not have even discussed pricing and pros /​cons. I think I even said «you know you are in Birmingham right…). This machine is worth the visit alone. I am changing from my other dr — to this office. The glasses I got from Optik are AMAZING. I have worn them in public a lot and I can see! I never thought this would be possible.
Go — see them, get a prescription with this machine — get a pair of unique, awesome glasses and you’ll «See» what I’m talking about!

I LOVE Optik Birmingham! I’ve been a patient of Dr. Ales for years and can’t say enough good things about him and his shop. Excellent eye exams, beautiful and unique frames, and wonderful customer service. He also carries the Sparkle/​Shimmer/​Shine contact lenses. They’re not colored contacts, but contacts that enhance your eyes by defining the border of the iris. LOVE these! Go see Dr. Ales for your next exam and some gorgeous frames!

Just picked up my second pairs of glasses and couldn’t be happier. The lenses are perfect no adjustment period. When i was getting my exam I mentioned my daughter who is a student didn’t have insurance and needed an exam. The owner offered to do her exam at a discounted rate. You certainly dont find that anywhere else. I would recommend Optik to anyone.

Racist… Point blank and no sugar coating it. Keep in mind I’ve spent over $ 2,000 in this place on 2 pair of glasses. Although they have a black optometrist the owner which is the other guy looks at you like a bug. As if I should be privileged to shop in their store. How about making me feel welcomed??? I went in today and once again he and some other lady looked at me as if I shouldn’t be in their store. I am a vey accomplished Black conservative professional. I am extremely disappointed in this establishment and will do everything within my power to let people know to not shop in this place. I am very disappointed… Do not and I repeat do not shop here. Go to Shades right down the street or someplace else…

AWESOME selection of one of a kind glasses. Very cool frames and great service.

Total cost to purchase frames and lenses is incredibly high, giving NYC a run for its money. The frames are expensive, but no more than what you’d expect at any metro boutique prices; however the cost of the lenses was shockingly high.
The worst part was the service. The manager sat mute behind the desk while I was failing to rectify an issue with a pair of frames. Admittedly, they have a good, albeit limited, selection. Bottom line: love what you buy, don’t look at the receipt, and hope you don’t have an issue down the road.

I understand snootiness in Birmingham sometimes comes with the territory, but this was ridiculous. I was ignored when I was first walked in and finally was able to get help with a few pairs. Maybe because I am young, they assumed I did not have money. Yes, they are expensive, but the frames were beautiful. After experiencing rudeness from the staff about being mildly indecisive, i.e. «what’s wrong now?», I decided to buy them anyways despite the rudeness. When I received them, I could not see in the glasses and my eye doctor told me they were measured incorrectly. When I took them back in, one of the that lady’s worked there told me that I just wasn’t used to them yet, and basically she knew what she was talking about because ‘she had done this for years’. Well, she was wrong. At one point I told them to keep the glasses and give me my money back, but they refused. After they fixed the frames later on, they did not even apologize. I have never experience such awful service in my life.

My wife, who is an eccentric glasses wearer, spent the afternoon at Optik trying on as many of the vintage and cool glasses as would fit. She really really liked the place, and purchased a set of frames. They unfortunately, did not accept our insurance, so we will get the lenses filled elsewhere — but the frames are pretty spectacular.
A very fun place.

I’ve never been to a «hip» eye doctor before because I thought I couldn’t afford it; I’ve been buying my glasses for years at Pearle Vision, Walmart, and god help me — America’s Best. For once I just wanted to try a nice place, and they took our insurance, and I was very attracted to the fact that they carry actual vintage frames.
This was a different experience than any other eye exam/​glasses purchase I’ve ever had, apparently there’s more to these «boutique» places than just high prices! We were greeted warmly & offered coffee, and didn’t have to wait more than a few minutes for the doctor. The doc was super nice and easy to talk to, and offered to let me come in for a discounted contact exam when my insurance rolls over on Jan 1^st (I just wanted glasses on this visit).
I tried on a bunch of frames while my husband did his exam, and both of the women working in the front of the house helped me make my decision. I explained my personal style and what I was looking for, and they made some really excellent suggestions. They definitely gave useful opinions too, and I got some glasses that I’m VERY happy with. Really different than anything I’ve ever gotten before!
Another thing that was different — they completely understood our insurance and were able to get everything cashed out & ordered within about 5 minutes. That always seems to take forever at other places. And, when my glasses came in, they just handed them to me and they fit perfectly! When I went to Pearle Vision and Walmart, I swear it took 2 hours of wiggling the glasses before I could leave.
Overall an extremely pleasant experience! I’d recommend them to anybody!

Optik is really unique and Birmingham is lucky to have a store like this. I LOVE that their unused vintage collection is large and very reasonably priced. Their buyers definitely ‘get it’. If you really hate wearing what everyone else has on their face, then this is the place to go.

Love this place. I sought Optik out in particular on the basis that (1) they accepted my insurance; and (2) I wanted frames that were different from the small-​black-​plastic-​rectangular frames that every other place seemed to tout as their «fashionable» frames. My idea of «fashionable» frames deviates from the standard small-​black-​plastic-​rectangular-​aesthetic.
That said, Optik had everything I wanted, and more! They have a wide variety of frames (both contemporary and vintage) that are sure to suit most people’s needs. Also, I didn’t experience the «cold shoulder» by any staff members. Joe, the doc and owner, was cool; the staff members at «the front of the house» were also cool.
The girl that was helping me pick out my frames was especially helpful (I forgot her name). First, she was dressed cute and was rockin’ some pretty sweet frames, so I trusted her judgment (Aside: it’s like when you go get your haircut, you don’t want somebody with fugly hair cutting/​coloring YOUR hair, ya know? The hairdresser’s fugly hair = bad judgment by the hairdresser. You don’t want that bad judgment to also be exercised with respect to YOUR hair, right? Like a colorist with skunky highlights? I would be like, hell naw, you are NOT coloring my hair!) Second, she gave her opinion on whether the frames looked good on me or not without being all wishy-​washy, which is nice! A frank, objective opinion when selecting frames is very valuable!
Anyway, to make a long story even longer, I ended up getting frames that I’m thrilled with, and will return to Optik in the future (like, a year from now when my insurance will pay for new frames + lenses).

I was unimpressed with this place. It was dimly lit, many frames were behind glass and was therefore not user-​friendly, and the frames were overpriced. The staff made a stab at being approachable, but ultimately seemed uninterested in actively helping me find the right pair. After experiencing sticker shock and the cold shoulder, I decided to give my business elsewhere.

so… remember when you loathed the idea of wearing glasses? Scared you’d be called a four-​eyed freak? Or that no boy would like you because you had to wear glasses?
Thank goodness those days are over… and I’m pretty sure Optik may be a contributing factor for this new era.
They have some of the coolest frames on the block. From vintage (and never been worn) frames to new school ones that come in so many different styles than you could ever imagine!
The staff is as awesome as the frame selection. Joe, the owner, is the nicest guy!
Optik also offers eye exams.
Just to let you know how sweet this place is. Bowie has a pair of sunglasses from here… David mother effin’ Bowie. Labyrinth people! It doesn’t get much cooler than that.
I could sit here and tell you how much I love this place, but really you should go in and check it out on your own.