88 Optical Hester

I would not recommend this place to anyone. I wanted to fit a glasses for my son because his pediatric ophthalmologist said he needs to wear them all the time. I asked them if I place an order from them to fit the lenses for my son’s glasses, would I be allowed to scan the lenses of the glasses to make sure the lenses match what the ophthalmologist prescription was given including the PD. They said no, they don’t have this kind of equipment to scan the prescription of the glasses. I do not know any optical store in NYC do not have a scanning device for lenses these days, they must be the only one. I want it to check to make sure their lenses would match the prescription because these optical stores do make mistake with the axis and PD. Young toddlers do not know how to say what’s wrong with their glasses. They said I got to take the glasses back to the ophthalmologist’s office to scan the lenses to see if they did it right or wrong. Are you kidding me? Don’t come to this place, there are better optical stores out there. I asked two more stores later on, they both agreed that I can scan the lenses to make sure they match the ophthalmologist prescription before I pay them. If you have young toddler that need glasses, that’s what you have to do. Don’t trust these guys think they did a good job. Scan it through the machine to make sure they are doing it right before you pay them.

Rarely do I feel compelled to write a review but Optical 88 specifically Abe was notable. I’m not sure if he was an employee or the proprietor but he certainly acted and behaved as if it was his business. He represented not only the business but the retail industry incredibly well.
We went in tonight upon referral from our Optician for my daughter’s first pair of glasses (age 6). He greeted us immediately, genuinely and warmly. It can be an intimidating moment for both child and parent but he treated us like family. He was knowledgeable, friendly and professional.
He was not condescending to my daughter. He acknowledged he choices and preferences and often asked for her input. I think he ended up with one of the first 3 he initially showed us although he was willing to show us as much as we would like to see. He knew her face and matched frames perfectly. She was thrilled! He fitted her expertly and we were in and out in 30 minutes for a custom fitted lens!
I don’t wear glasses but I would go back just to get sunglasses. You simply don’t see that level of detail experience anymore. It could have been a thousand dollar sale and he couldn’t have treated us more special and important. Truly it was a phenomenal an unexpected experience. They are awesome. We will be back

Love this place– came on the recommendation of friends and was pleased. They’re SO fast– but I still felt like I was adequately examined and cared for as a customer– didn’t feel rushed at all or like subpar service. I got contacts and new frames. My vision is really bad so I have to get my super thick lenses made thinner so I don’t look insane, and this is usually very expensive. I was really happy with my price for an exam, contacts, new frames, and special lenses. And everyone’s really nice. Great place.

Thank Unilocalers for finding me a place for glasses lenses. The store where I bought my frame charged more than $ 300 for lenses, while 88 Optical only asked for $ 110. The service was good too. When I tried the new pair on, I felt dizzy and strange, which made me kinda worried and confused. The elder gentleman was very professional and attentive. He asked if I had large glasses before and explained why I felt uncomfortable. My discomfort was gone after I got used to it. Great experience!

This is the best and cheapest eye care place I’ve ever been. I walked in on a Saturday afternoon to get an eye exam and new glasses. The place wasn’t that busy. They had me try on a few different frames right away to see which one I liked best.
Then, waited about 10 minutes to see the doctor for the exam. The doctor was kind of robotic and not too friendly, but I guess after seeing so many people on a given day, he was just jaded. (This is a walk-​in place, no appointment needed). The Dr. was quickly able to figure out what type of lens prescription I needed and I was told that my glasses would be ready in an hour! Wow!
I returned in an hour and they were ready. $ 50 for the frame, $ 50 for the lenses, eye exam Free! It doesn’t get better than this anywhere in the NYC area. As long as their rates remain low, I will definitely return next time I need new glasses.

So I was planning to go to Costco to get my lenses because apparently their prices are the best. Then I met a gentleman on the bus carrying a bag from the store. We began chatting and I asked him about it he said it was a great place, the prices are excellent and compared to Costco he said it was actually a better deal. So why find a friend first (Who does have a membership there), and then schlep to Costco if I can be in Chinatown? :-) Took under an hour to get my glasses back!

Great place. I always come here when I need contact lenses. Fast service, good prices.

Came here to get contact prescription $ 60. Had to buy a box of 2 weeks contacts for $ 160ish.
Optometrist only. They don’t do pinkeye exams or antibiotic eye drop prescriptions.
Good customer service.
I came here about 3 times, weekdays after 6pm and weekends around noon but I did not ever wait more than 5 minutes.

Another amazing experience here. I love this shop so much I still come here even after moving to San Francisco.

$ 175 for 6 months of contacts? Fast service, but I think I was ripped off and didn’t even get to walk away with my prescription.

They said I would have to wait an hour for my $ 50. single vision prescription lens. I was thrilled because other places had quoted prices which were multiples of that, and said it would take days.
Instead, «Because we saw you were waiting», my glasses were ready in twenty minutes.
I’ve been going to a midtown place, and never considered this optician until I needed fast service today. Now I wonder what I had been paying for all these years.
Convenient to many subways, and parking/​traffic are horrible. Consider parking in Brooklyn and taking the subway.

The attitude of the receptionist is incredibly lousy. I am not sure why I get that very impatient response. Because I’m Chinese who does not speak Cantonese?

Amazing, cheap, fast, and friendly. They cut my lenses in 20 mins, just enough time to grab phở down the street! A+

Been coming here for a solid 2 years and don’t see it changing anytime soon. Still think it’s one of the best places in the city. I have bought a couple of pairs of frames from here too and they’re both my favorite pair (I have a lot of frames…)

Went for a new eyeglass prescription. The process was quick, painless, and cheap. $ 20 for a new eyeglass prescription same day? (y) The staff was pretty laidback and chill, and the eye doctor was kind and definitely knew what he was doing.
Definitely going back if the need arises.

Got here. They took my name down. With in 10 minutes it was my turn. The doctor was very pleasant. I asked for glasses prescription only. No pressure to buy glasses from them. Hassle free 20 dollar eye check up. Doctor also checked to see if my eyes were healthy. In out in 30 minutes !!! What’s not to love?

The prices here are (used to be?) great and same goes for the service. I’ve been getting contact lenses from them since the last 4 years and lately, both their service and prices seem to have taken a turn for the worse. I was charged for an eye test, that I was told I need to get done to renew my contact lens prescription. The last few times I had the eye test done, the price was waived as I’d order the lenses from them. This time around I was asked to pay up (65 $ for the eye test). I was told this only after the test was finished — and apparently if I hadn’t ordered the lenses from them I’d be asked to pay 80 $ for an eye examination. I’ve never heard of this in the last four years, but the store staff member tells me I’m wrong and he’s right (my last four years receipts beg to differ).
I did end up ordering new contact lenses and was told I’d be called when they came in and were ready for pickup (usually a week). I’ve called three times and only today after being asked twice if I even ordered the contact lenses, I was brusquely told that they were ready for pickup. So no call from them, plus abrasive customer service.
I have a strong feeling I’m going to move elsewhere for my optical needs, after four years of being a regular customer.

Back when the streets of Mott Street were mean and filthy with marketplaces that dumped all their waste onto the streets, I was terrified of stepping foot in the marketplace. The smell nauseated me and the thought of standing in front of fish markets made me want to puke. Instead, I would sit on the benches of this corner shop and wait until my parents were finished with their shopping.
I’ve only been to my ophthalmologist since switching to contact lenses out a few years ago, and decided to make an emergency stop after my last contact lens ripped (yes, I’m one of those people) since I heard opticals were «cheaper» than doctors and my ophthalmologist was booked for the day. I had a free Acuvue trial and they told me that even with the trial, I’d have to pay $ 80 for the exam, so I agreed to it, seeing I had no other option.
I came here on two separate occasions and during both visits, I had to see the doctor. The first doctor was a male and he was very friend and warm. Turns out I have astigmatism in one of my eyes and I was prescribed a astigmatism contact lens. When it came to paying, they told me it was $ 90 – which is where the glass cracked and all troubles rushed in. They did not disclose anything about paying an extra $ 10 for anything other than regular contact lens – which they should have from the start. It was very sneaky and makes me question their business practices.
I came back a week later because I wanted to get my prescription and this time, there was a female doctor, who you can tell really does not enjoy her job at all. She was cold, cranky and hardly cracked a smile. I didn’t disclose that I wasn’t wearing one of my contact lenses because they ripped (again) and when I told her towards she end, she sneered at me, «This was a waste of time.» It was totally my fault for not disclosing that earlier, but it was also unprofessional of her to be so snappy about it. Luckily, they gave me another pair to try on and I came back the next week to pick up my prescription. Staff can be a lot more nicer and less sneaky. This place used to be booming with business but looks like it has gone downhill because there’s a pattern of terrible customer service. Save your money and go to another optical or ophthalmologist who cares and is honest with you. If you’re heavily considering this your primary place, you really need to get your eyes checked (excuse the pun).

Prices here are cheaper than any other store in NYC. I got an eye exam, a contact lenses exam and my Acuvue Oasys contact lenses (one year supply) here. The best thing about this place is that the service is helpful but also speedy. Anytime I went here, I never had to wait that long to be helped and my issues were always resolved quickly. Nor did I have to wait long to have my eyes examined.
Bonus: I came here to get my glasses re-​adjusted (I had accidentally sat on them and stretched out the hinges/​temples on the side). Took only a few minutes and it was completely free!

I don’t wear glasses or contacts so I was visiting with the Mrs. and they were very helpful. My wife has been going to them for years since she has been wearing glasses and contacts. Knowing my wife this is a good sign she is happy with their services.
Large store having several benches for you to wait while they help cuatomers. Eye doctor on premise so it is a one stop shop. They will have contacts for you right there until the complete order is available.
Not the cheapest nor the most expense around but it is your eyes and service is equally important. Close to mass transit and of course in the heart of Chinatown helps for food choices before or after cisiting.