Riverdale Optical

Loyal for years, even though I’ve moved out of the neighborhood– I find it hard to find the quality service and eye care anywhere else.
The eye Doctor here really, truly stands out– she is very professional, warm and cares about her patients. Even though I am an easy patient type around medical professionals, I’ve had unpleasant and down right humiliating experiences with optical places and eye doctors in general in the past, and the staff here has restored my trust in dealing positively with eye sight issues and needs. They are humane here and very accommodating.
There is a good reason why this has been a stand by in the area for so many years.
The prices are right too– my whole family has been converted over the years and we’ve realized how much other places have tried to over charge or ripp us off on the past, never the case here. Even when I’ve done price comparison shopping, I’ve found that their selection is up to date and fair for a brick and mortar store– the service you get makes the experience a bargain.

UNPROFESSIONAL!!! I brought in frames and asked them to make sunglass lenses for them. 2 weeks later I called up to ask about them and they said they’d been ready for a while, but they didn’t have my contact information (even though I had my eyes examined there the day I gave them the frames, so they obviously had my info). I tried them on and the prescription was completely off in one of the lenses. He checked it and said the prescription was done vertically instead of horizontally. I’m not sure how a mistake like that gets made, it was completely unacceptable. That was the first time I had to have them fix the lenses. The second time the prescription was correct, but the lenses were tinted so light I could barely tell it was suppose to be sunglasses. He said he would make them darker. Another couple weeks go by and I come in for them and they were so dark it was difficult to see. I’m not sure why I continued to deal with them, but I had him once again attempt to correct it. This time an entire month went by. I went in after being told it still wasn’t what I wanted. He offered to refund me inmediatly. I recommend avoiding this place all together. Not only did they continue to mess up my order, but they made me feel like I was a bother to them while dealing with all their mistakes. Unprofessional! I waited 2.5 months for nothing.

They are hit and miss. The staff is friendly, but their hours vary widely. I’ve never seen them posted. When I go by the hours listed on Unilocal,they are often closed. When I order contact lenses, they can take just a couple of days or up to two weeks to come in. I’d like to work with a store that’s more consistent.

I live close by, so Riverdale Eyecare is very convenient for me. One time I had a bad inflammation in one eye, and I was able to see a doc the same day w/​o an appointment. They were able to squeeze me in after seeing my bloodshot eye and the distress I was in… Now that’s what I call good service! haha. After the check up, the doc gave me a prescription for steroid drops and a few days later, my eye was back to normal.
Also was able to get my prescription glasses within a week since they do everything in house. The lady who helped me picked out the frames for my glasses was super nice. She wouldn’t let me leave until I found the right pair I liked and it was within my budget (I’m super picky with my glasses) She itemized the cost of everything which was good, since most places like to charge extra fees and you don’t know what you’re exactly paying for.
My only gripe about this place is they seem understaffed, so the wait times can be long before someone can assist you. The place is ALWAYS packed with people. I guess that must be a good thing because they’re getting business… but seriously, hire an extra hand or two. Otherwise I would’ve given this place 5 stars.

Went to this place in late July of 2014.
I finally did get my contacts, and they were reasonably priced, I am disappointed in the level of service provided.

Usually well-​run, but seem to close at random times, while never updating their answering machine to let you know when they’ll be back.

Absolutely one of the best eyecare places I’ve ever been to. Fast service, friendly staff and the variety of frames are great. Avoid Cohens at all cost!!!

I brought my mentally disabled family member in to fill a prescription for glasses. We walk in, and she was having obvious trouble walking due to the snow/​ice outside the store. Upon getting inside, the 2 young girls at the front desk could not be bothered to greet or even acknowledge us. I walk up to the desk to find them texting, and still had to get their attention.
I asked if they took medicaid as that is the insurance my family member has, they confirmed that they do after checking their records. So we sat for a bit more, I then had to ask to see glasses for her. I even asked if I could pay for the price difference for non-​medicaid specific glasses if the limited choices did not work for her; which they confirmed.
The entire time my family member was trying on glasses, she was ignored. Neither one of the lazy workers, or the third worker in the back asked if we had questions, if we needed help, if the frames were ok, if we wanted to see anything else. Nothing.
After we made the selection, I decided against buying a pair of glasses outright as I did not think that they deserved additional hundreds of dollars outside of all of our tax dollars for this, considering the level of disrespect shown to her. I was told on the 11^th that it may be a week for the glasses to be complete, and they will give me call. I called on the 22^nd, and was told that that were not done yet, but they could be done that that and I could pick them up. ****If they COULD be done the same day, why didn’t they do it the same day we were there.
I showed up Tuesday night (my call was Saturday after noon), and was told the glasses were not done yet, but they could be done in a few minutes.
In my opinion, the who experience was unacceptable.
*Obvious discrimination against the handicapped
*Poorly trained staff
*Terrible customer service
*Product not delivered on time
I voiced my concerns to those I believed as managers of the store the night I picked up the glasses. They said that they were surprised and would talk to the girls on duty that day.
I’m not holding my breath.

Definitely a neighborhood friendly establishment. I went there for an eye exam and a new pair of eyeglasses.
They worked with me to ensure I got the right prescription. In addition, the gentleman who helps you pick out your glasses, what a nice man! He defintiely helped me to decide what looked good on me and also kept it within my budget.
I know this is not a place you would frequent all the time, but for the times that you have eyecare needs, look no further than this place.
Also, it’s easy to get here, just get off the 1 train at 231^st and you’re right there.