Sterling Optical

I actually enjoy coming here, I’ve been living on the UWS for almost 2 years, and have consistently come back to Sterling Optical every time I need new contacts. Suzette is just wonderful! She makes sure I can use my insurance when its renewed, and knows exactly who I am and what I need. Its the nicest store experience you can have really.

Suzette is the only reason why I keep coming back. Always nice, welcoming, and knows exactly who I am and what I need! :)

I’ve had nothing but great experiences here. They are helpful, efficient and very understanding. I bought my 6 months supply of contacts here at the end of last year, and recently misplaced one of the boxes. I went in to buy one pair as an emergency right before an event, and they gave it to me for free. Highly recommend!

I highly recommend this location — I had a phenomenal experience from start to finish. Every person with whom I interacted was helpful, friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. Going to the eye doctor is never fun, but everyone at Sterling made the experience amazing!

My husband and I had the pleasure of working with Suzette. We were both new to glasses and didn’t know what our style was. She fit us for the perfect specs. She was patient and honest and wound up recommending glasses we might not have considered without her expertise. The turn-​around time was quick and we are both thrilled. We recently saw a photo of both of us in our new glasses and we were so happy at the way we looked. Thanks again Suzette!

Came here a few times over the course of a few years. Eye doctor is unpleasant. Tried to update me. I’ve been wearing contacts for 20 years without issue, I think I’m pretty comfortable and don’t need someone to talk to me like a child. Not even an eye doctor. Sales person unfriendly. Wouldn’t fix my glasses.
The only nice person in that place is Suzette but that’s not enough for me to come back. Ever.

Impressive customer service! I have been going to Sterling Optical for several years to buy glasses for my daughter and I have always been really impressed by the employees and their commitment to providing the best service to their customers. Suzette has always gone out of her way to help us, and will even do her best to work with insurance companies to make sure that we can use our benefits, even if it means a lot of paperwork for her. They also have a good selection of frames and my very picky daughter has always found attractive glasses at this store. They recently helped us when we were in a jam. My daughter had broken her glasses at school, and was going away the next day to a camp reunion. They recognized our rush, helped us select new frames, and were able to quickly exchange the lenses so that we had everything done within a short amount of time (same day –whew!). We really appreciated their work and I want to commend their entire team for their support. Another time, I had left something at the store by accident, and they looked up my phone number (on my daughter’s card) and called me to let me know that they had my belongings. I really appreciated that call.

This place may be small and not impressive looking from the outside, but the people who work here are amazing. From the time I called to make an appointment, Suzette was courteous, professional, and thorough. They had an appointment available in just a few days after I called, which was nice as I was anxious to get my new prescriptions for both glasses and contacts. She took my insurance information over the phone then called me a few hours later to explain what was covered were so I could consider whether I’d like to apply my insurance to my contacts or glasses.
When I arrived, I was a bit early and had to wait as the doctor was finishing up an appointment with the previous patient. While I was waiting, Suzette told me to feel free to ask her if I wanted to try any pairs of glasses. I said I would just look, and she and the other woman behind the counter spoke with me about what was currently popular, what add ons features (anti-​glare, anti-​scratch, thinner lenses, etc.) may be options as my prescription is a little high (–5.75). Based on what I said my preferences were as far as looks, she picked a few out for me to just try, some of which worked better than others, and made note of the ones that I liked so I wouldn’t have to remember in case I bought them. I didn’t get my lenses from there in the end as my insurance didn’t cover very much and the frames I liked from there would have been too expensive after all the features I would want to add.
I had my eye exam here as well, and the doctor was very pleasant. She was not very talkative, which I don’t mind. She worked quickly and was very nice. I asked her about trying a different type of contact lens as I’ve been using the same ones for many years, and she explained different options to me. In the end, I stayed with the brand I’ve always had as she said she likes that one the most as it is very reliable and comfortable.
At no point did I feel pressure to buy anything. Before she placed the order for my contacts, they gave me a sample pair to try for free to make sure they were comfortable. Suzette used my insurance to get the maximum amount of contacts I could without paying anything out of pocket. (I plan on getting the rest online.)
Bottom line: highly recommended.

Excellent, compassionate service here. Both the Doctor and staff are extremely knowledgeable and capable. I came in desperate for help with a pair of badly broken eyeglass frames (that I did not even purchase here!), and they were happy to help me fix them– the frames actually fit me better than they did before I broke them. Service was quick and exactly within the time frame they told me to expect. I am proud to have a shop with professionals like this in my neighborhood. I highly recommended this store for eye care on the Upper West Side.

The power of Unilocal at work. I’d been searching for a reasonably-​priced optician for a much needed eye exam, as well as advice about some ongoing vision issues and possible solutions. I still have to return to determine what the best option might be for me, but I’m compelled to write this review now. From the outset, calling the office and speaking to the oft-​mentioned Suzette was a pleasure and supported the impression that this is a professionally run office without the «hard-​sell» that one often finds in this business.
My experience at the first visit strengthened this initial conclusion. Despite being the last appointment of the day, the doctor took her time with me, discussed various options, and didn’t get frustrated when my issue wasn’t easily resolved. They sent me off with something new to try, and want me to return and try other options to make sure we end up with the optimal solution for me. I’m so glad that I have this neighborhood store to support and frequent, and I’m happy to recommend them to others.
I’ll provide an update when we find a resolution.

I was a first– time customer. But each time I returned I was treated in a very friendly and professional manner by Suzette. Both pairs of reading and progressive eyeglasses were ready on time. Unfortunately, I had to undergo emergency surgery and could not pick them up as scheduled. Suzette could not have been nicer or more understanding. I picked up my second pair today, along with a complimentary bottle of lens cleaner. I definitely recommend their services.

After having a very bad experience at another optical store that begins with the letter C – I began searching for another optical store in the neighborhood with reasonable prices for contact exams. I saw Dr. Barksdale at the Amsterdam location – everyone was so friendly and helpful – I agree with the reviewer who said Suzette is the best. There was no hard sale to buy lenses from the store – in fact no pressure at all. And they even sent me home with some free lenses and cleaning solution along with my prescription. This was the best optical experience I’ve ever had in NY. I highly, highly recommend! I also learned that they support many schools and nonprofits in the local (upper westside) community, which is a huge plus for me!

Scheduled an appt online, never got a confirmation call. I tried calling to confirm and they never answer the phone. I am not going to waste my time showing up if I don’t really have an appt.

I have been going to the same eye doctor for over 10 years, and since I only needed to go once/​year to get my contact lens prescrip, I didn’t mind making the appointment back where I used to live in FL. But then I ran out of lenses and my prescription had expired! Sterling Optical to the rescue. I got a nearly immediate appointment with the eye doctor, and was in and out relatively quickly. The staff was friendly and I was able to use my Aetna vision plan, which resulted in a low co-​pay and lenses to boot! My order came in swiftly and I’m now back in my contacts.

Went here for contacts. The team was attentive and helpful. The optician discussed different options, then had me try different pairs of contacts for a week before ordering them.

Fantastic service; Suzette is the best. I don’t live in the neighborhood anymore but go out of my way to return when I need anything.

Great staff, decent selection of eyewear and they fixed my Urban Outfitters sunglasses for super cheap! Fantastic customer service.