Primary Eyecare & Eyeware

I’ve been going to Primary Eyecare for almost 13 years. I first went because they were close to home, and I had been used to the Pearle/​Sterling Optical/D.O.C./etc. mass market chain experience. How much different could it be?
The answer: a lot. I had no idea that buying glasses and getting eye exams didn’t have to be a chore. Dr. Mary Murphy has been the one doc at this location the entire time I’ve been a client. She’s personable and actually makes they eye exam enjoyable. She spends as much time as you need going over your history, exam, and prescription. No more transient, here-​one-​day-​and-​gone-​the-​next doctors with questionable qualifications that have no power or desire to see you through.
Second, the staff is stellar. Some of them have been there as long as the optometrist and they know their business inside and out. They make sure you get glasses (or contacts) that work for you, and actually care that you walk out happy.
In all the years I went to mass-​market places, I don’t think I got a single pair of glasses that turned out really nicely. One would have a loose lens, another was not properly polished, and yet another would have random glue remains on the outside edge.
At Primary, my glasses have come out exactly perfect every time, except one. In that case, either I or the staff had forgotten to mark a specific lens option (roll and polish) and the staff immediately took responsibility and rushed the glasses back; they came back exactly right.
If there’s a problem after you leave, they do their best to get them fixed fast. But I will say that the glasses I’ve gotten from Primary have been extremely durable. Whether it is due to better technology, or to the fact that I’m not as rough on them as before, or to the lab that makes them, glasses from Primary have easily lasted me two years, while I was lucky to get one year out of glasses from the chains.
They know every insurance option imaginable and the price has always come out better than any chain. No «$ 99 special» glasses that wind up costing $ 350 after you add anti-​glare, a decent pair of frames, and aspheric lenses. The prices at Primary are fair and whether you have insurance or not, they will find a way to make them as low as possible.
They have good hours, with some late afternoon, evening, and Saturday appointments available, and the doctor is reachable after hours.
Primary Eyecare is one of those places you hope never moves, because it would be hard to find a replacement that is as good.