I love this shop. I've been getting my glasses here for years after having a bad experience with lens crafters. (Constant headaches.) I admit to being the customer from hell. I like to try on every pair in the shop, then decide on the first ones I tried. Chris and his mother, who runs the Newton shop, are amazingly kind and patient. Recently I broke the frames on my prescription sunglasses. I didn't need new lenses. Chris knows his stock very well and quickly found me several pairs that were a perfect fit for my lenses. A week later I decided that I should have bought different frames and without so much as an eye roll he started to make the change when I realized I was being a jerk. All these months of quarantine have left me with gray hair and pale skin. I wasn't going to like anything I saw in the mirror. I stopped him before could do the work of reshaping the frames I had and adjusting the different ones. If he ever decides to get out of the glasses business, he should consider a career as a therapist. Quarantine psychology aside, they have a huge selection of very nice frames. I've been tempted by all the tv and on-line ads for what I call McFrames, some of which look pretty nice, but I wouldn't give up the personal treatment, professionalism, and wise advice at Focal Point. As a bonus, you'll know you are supporting a neighborhood business. There are precious few locally owned stores these days, and they are what turns a shopping area into a community. read more

I got really good glasses styling advice from the owner. He suggested some frames that I never would have thought of myself, and I got them. I have gotten so many compliments! read more

I always see Jeff and he is simply amazing. He is kind, patient, funny and has an amazing eye for style. The only problem I have is that I want to buy just about everything he carries so making a choice is often challenging! If you don't want the same glasses that everyone else has, then pay him a visit. read more

Couldn't be more pleased with Focal Point. My elderly mother needed new glasses and was referred here by her opthamologist. It was a complicated prescription and she is picky. Chris made the entire process incredibly easy and seamless. He was the perfect balance of being solicitous without becoming obsequious. My mother got her glasses in about a week and loves the new pair. Thank you Focal Point! read more

Great place, good selection. They grind their own lenses on site so they control the process. They also will put new lenses in old frames which no else will do read more

Great service, great inventory of frames. The people who work here are very nice. I always want to stop in.

This establishments gets points for HONESTY and Professionalism. My child sat on an expensive pair of glasses and broke the hinge. I went back to LensCrafters (were I had bought them) and they told me that I needed a whole new frame and new lenses! I went to Vizio Optics and they at least tried hard to fix the frame. I went to Focal Point on Harvard St, and they fixed them like new on the spot for a few dollars. Just amazing. They are my new reference for opticians in Boston. read more

Horrible experience. I actually went here to see the optometrist, and not necessarily to get new glasses. I was having a lot of problems with my eyes, like burning, tired, and scratchy eyes. But the doctor (Doctor Muler, I think) completely ignored all my other symptoms and totally wrote it off as being allergies, even when I told her that my symptoms were pre-allergy season (I went to see her in April 2010). Well, 6 months later, I still have the same problems and I had to go see a different optometrist. She was condescending during the prescription exam process as well. It doesn't seem like she has up-to-date equipment either. All in all, bad experience and even to this day, I still have the same symptoms and I know its not "just allergies". Oh and I got a student discount but she only accepted cash for that discount so I had to go to the ATM and withdraw money. read more

I rarely write reviews. But then, this is a rare experience. On our Thanksgiving visit, my daughter forgot to pack her one-a-day contacts, and glasses. It was the day after Thanksgiving and we were staying in Brookline. She was beyond despair. We desperately tried to find an eyeglass store. We managed to find a few, but they couldn't hep us without a prescription. Understandable. Her eye doctor back home was closed. I saw Focal Point Opticians on our way back to the hotel, crossed my fingers, and parked. Not only was the owner able to track down her prescription through an online database, but he gave her 3 days of disposable contacts. And he wouldn't let us pay!!! He saved our trip. This guy deserves a medal.... and your business! read more

Had another great experience with Chris at Focal Point today. This is a great family owned business that provides great service and and is a hidden gem in our community. All businesses should strive to achieve their level of customer support. read more

Horrible customer service. Ordered expensive tinted lenses that were like looking out of 4 layers of cellophane, yet owner refused to refund my money. According to him, I don't know what reading glasses should feel like (even though I've been wearing them for 30 years)??? Best part...I think he knew the tint job was bad. There are many opticians in this town; go to one where they know what they are doing, are honest, friendly, and work with you when they mess up. This is not that place. read more

I went to fix my sunglasses, and he really did a great job. It was one of the best services I've gotten in Boston. I highly recommend this place! read more

I think the words to describe them would be professional and helpful. I had a need for eyeglass repair. Since it was a loose screw which needed to be fixed, they asked me to come back in 15 minutes. When I came back the glasses were fixed and handed over with a smile. I expected to pay a few dollars but the lady said "no charge!" again with a very pleasant demeanor. Overall a great experience, otherwise which could have been harrowing. Note: It has been the only time I have needed to go to an optician. read more

This is a family-owned business and I was a customer for years because of the attention and service. Unfortunately, in the last few years, I haven't gotten much of either. When I wanted new glasses during the past year, they strung me along, telling me they'd be getting new stock in "soon." The truth seems to be that they don't want to invest in new stock. I'm tired of waiting months to see something that never arrives. The frames are no longer cutting edge, in fact seem geared to an older clientele. There are cooler, less expensive frames at several shops in the Boston area. Though I've been a loyal customer and have sent friends and family here, I'm finding a new place for my next pair of glasses. read more

When it comes to selling, Jeff was most solicitous. He even offered to look through the inventory at the other store for frames that I might like. I bought a pair, had new lenses made and inserted (elsewhere), and then I realized that one temple (the arm) didn't fold properly, I brought the eyeglasses back to the shop for repair or replacement; however, Jeff told me he couldn't do either. I left dissatisfied. A few wks. later I returned, stating my grievance again. He agreed to try to fix it, but warned me that the correction might disfigure the frame. Result: his "repair" didn't change the temple. Clearly, these $400 frames were defective, and I was stuck with them bec. I had just inserted new prescription lenses. I feel gypped and screwed. read more

Terrible experience - Exam, product, service and lost a lot of money at this place. Had just gotten Vision Insurance so I looked for a place that was in my network, the exam was ok, although it was like being in a closet, but she told me I needed distance and reading but she wouldn't recommend I get bifocals or one pair of glasses for both. (???? I never understood this). Dr Muler took my insurance info and then gave prescriptions and then I went in to the next room and the man started showing me glasses. This was my first experience with optometry, had only been using readers. Found two pairs and at the end he gave me a lot of paperwork for my insurance and I had to pay out of pocket, I didn't know any better!!!! Turns out the DOCTOR IS IN NETWORK, THE GLASSES ARE OUT OF NETWORK! I should have looked better on my insurance, but I cannot believe they don't do this on purpose, in case someone has not really checked IN/OUT NETWORK. To top it all off - It seems that neither of these two glasses which I paid for dearly, work for computer work. When I went in and said this, I told him that I have to wear my readers for my computer work. He said, "Oh just use those then." Will never darken their dark doorway again! Beware! read more

Just got 2 new pair of glasses here: regular and sunglasses. Could not be happier. The personal service and thorough attention I got during the frame selection process was amazing, In this day and age, with so many big chains, finding a family-run option is great. The stock of frames was even better and bigger than I recalled -- there just must be something for everyone and at a variety of price points. read more

I understand that some people had disappointing experiences at focal point, but I can only speak of my positive one. Jeff was very patient, professional and friendly to with me and also excepted the $35 expired focal point cupon that I had!!! I was very appreciative of that. I ordered my sun glasses on Tuesday and they were ready for pick up on Friday morning even though there was a big snow storm that Thursday! When I picked up my sun glasses, the salesman ( which I didn't get to know by name) was very pleasant, friendly & easy going. He also handed me my prescription and tolled me that they have it on file for me, if I ever needed it. I was very happy with the costumer service at focal point and with the big selection of sun glasses that they have...I searched other stors in Brookline, and the sun glass selection at focal Point was by far the biggest. I would defiantly recommend trying them out...it was a very positive experience. All the best, Maya:) read more

This place is fantastic. They were so helpful picking out frames, and then when I had a problem with my prescription, they were the ones that figured out the mistake my eye doctor had made and they were the ones who figured out how to fix it! Chris, Ames and Jeffrey are all so friendly and really went the extra mile and then some to help me get the right glasses all set. I would not go anywhere else! read more

This is really more of a review of Dr. Muler than Focal Point Opticians itself. For the most expensive eye appointment ever, I would have hoped the quality of my experience would have matched. Unfortunately it did not. With insurance, I've never paid more than $80 for a contact lens fitting until this visit. I almost fell off my chair when she said it was $150. A few weeks later, I had to follow up to get some information missing from my prescription when I tried to order glasses elsewhere. They flat out refused to provide me with the information. The final straw for me was when I tried to order contact lenses less than a year after my appointment with her and they refused to confirm the prescription. Save your money and go elsewhere. read more

Focal Point Optical is outstanding in every way. Chris is a master at finding the right frame for you and then making sure the lens is right where it needs to be. He puts in a tremendous amount of care into all his patients and is always available for an adjustment, no matter how many times, and always welcomes you with a smile. His customer care is the best I have ever seen, he wants to make sure you leave there with your glasses 100% satisfied. read more

I've been here twice for different small repairs and always treated well with prompt service. The first time I needed my lab glasses fixed - it was done in 5 minutes by the guy who works here. He was very kind and only charged me a couple bucks. The second time I went is why this place deserves the 5 stars. I walk in off the street with my rayban wayfarers which I had sat on and they needed a new screw. The woman who works there took care of me right away, brought them out in the back, and 5 minutes later it was as if I had never broken them in the first place. She used actual rayban parts and didn't charge me ANYTHING. I will continue to give this place my business because of practices like this. read more

Neil and his team are very knowledgeable opticians. They have the latest frame styles, know how to craft the best lenses for each person's special situation and provide honest and caring advice regarding eye glass selection. They've done a great job for me over the past 15 years. read more

I have had nothing but positive experiences at this place. They are a little on the pricey side, but I think it is well worth it considering I wear my glasses every minute of every day. I started going there back when I lived in Coolidge Corner (2005) and they were right down the street from me. With the careful attention of the salesperson, I found the first pair of glasses that I have ever truly loved (and I've been wearing glasses since I was 8!) A couple years later they were very accommodating when I came in and asked to have new lenses put in the same frames. When the new lenses arrived, they put them in on the spot so I was never without my glasses. The first set of lenses came in with a slight defect that I could only detect since I was wearing them all the time, so I brought them back and they replaced them, no questions asked. Last year (2012) I was shopping for new frames because my beloved pair that I had bought there was finally showing signs of wear. Coolidge Corner is no longer convenient to me - I'm up on the Red Line now. But I shopped in every optical shop in Harvard and Central Square (and there are lots!) and I never found any with the excellent selection and service of Focal Point. After going to a lot of places and finding frames that I only felt "meh" about, I went back to Focal Point. Sure enough, within half an hour I had found frames that I adored. The selection at this place is not ruled by what is trendy. I'm not into the big heavy frames that are popular now, and that was a problem at some of the places I was shopping. But not here! They have something for everyone. I see that a lot of negative reviews here have to do with the optometrist. I had an appointment with her once, and I wasn't super impressed but I didn't have a problem with her either. Anyway, this review is for the optical shop and the rest of the staff - they are the reason I keep going back after all these years. read more

I have gone to Focal Point for over ten years. I love the glasses I get there. I love the service. I love how I feel when I leave. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. read more

I have been going to Focal point since 1997. I have have found that Chris and Jeff have always been very nice and always patient with me. It's always cool to do business with a place that's as friendly as they are! Thanks alot guys for all your help through the years! read more

I had a wonderful experience with Focal Point Opticians in Coolidge Corner. Having made do with drugstore reading glasses for many years, I got my first prescription for progressive lenses from my own optometrist. I took the prescription into the store, where they spent much time with me, carefully listening to my preferences and needs and giving thoughtful opinions. After I got the glasses and used them for a few weeks, I felt that the frames just weren't what I really wanted. They are my only pair of glasses and I will be wearing them all day, every day. They had told me I could change anything within the first month, but I feared that offer might not include the frames. I went in to ask, and they agreed not only to change the frames, but to provide the new lenses required by a different shape of frame, at no additional charge. They allowed me to take home four frames to think about at my leisure and show my husband. I have now selected the new frames, which I love, and they have even allowed me to keep the first pair of glasses until the new ones are ready. Although their glasses are expensive, they are obviously of very high quality. I am extremely grateful to them - I have ended up with a pair of glasses I will love, and will definitely continue going there in future years. I dealt both with Jeffrey and his brother, and each of them listened to me and gave careful, thoughtful opinions and assistance. I could not be more pleased. read more