The best experience I've ever had in selecting a pair of glasses! (and I've been wearing glasses since I was 6 years old) Everyone in the store is very friendly but what helps Kalmus stand out is how knowledgeable their opticians are! They were able to study my face and recommend frames from their wide selection suited for my nose bridge, face shape and style preferences. They were efficient and had my glasses ready in 4 days. Great value too! read more

Very lovely proprietors were kind enough to adjust my broken glasses free as a courtesy despite my not having purchased at the store. They took great care in making the adjustment and the glasses look brand new. So nice to see neighborly businesses out there. read more

Kalmus is the best! Extremely knowledgeable people who always provide excellent service, above and beyond. Thank you.

Inna and Vitaly go out of their way to accommodate you! Inna has a great memory of you. Vitaly has a magic touch when it comes to fitting progressive lenses! He has stayed late when I had an emergency. We have worked by mail when I lived in VT and now again from Maryland. You won't be disappointed. read more

I'm still obsessed with my old eyeglass frames being broken. To repair or replace is still on my mind. I was just walking by this store and stopped in when I noticed the huge selection of frames. Also the sign says in business since 1949. Come to find out from the friendly staff that is at this location. They opened the first location across the street in 1945. I'd say they are historic in the neighborhood! The employee taught me a lot about eye glass frames. Both employees I spoke with have worked at the store for about 25 years! She was patient showing me various frames similar to my broken frames. I liked the various options and learned a lot from her. I took some photos. I'm still trying to decide what I want to do. I feel comfortable with this store if I decide to purchase a new pair of frames. They have a beautiful selection. read more

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Excellent husband and wife small business that needs to be supported. Took care of me and my wife. We had a bad prescription from elsewhere and the glasses didn't work. Their optician tested and redid the prescription and we got glasses that worked at no extra charge. Also took our insurance so the second tests didn't cost us anything. read more

I've been waiting for a pair of glasses that I ordered on 9/26/24 and keep getting notifications that they are delayed in shipping . They don't respond to my messages and I've come to find out they shipped $500 glasses through the U.S. Mail ! Small wonder they're lost in transit !! Never again will I buy from a company so ignorant and cheap as to use the US Mail !! read more

Lovely people and such good service and help. Have been using them for years. Great neighborhood business.

Small shop with great service. They take insurance for eye exams and frames. Everyone I spoke to was very knowledgable and friendly.

The service was great. Super easy to find the glasses that best worked for me! prescription is perfect!

Amazing , my mom desperately needed new frames and Kalmus was the answer! They are sweet and great with fitting frames and have a phenomenal shelf of eyewear. My moms glasses I helped pick out, she adores and cannot wait to go back for adjustments. We highly refer customers. -Thank you Kalmus read more

The best customer service for eyeglasses. I have never been dissatisfied with any purchase or any aspect of this business! They have a great selection of frames and are extremely helpful with choosing frames and lenses. Highly recommend! read more

I was browsing the window while walking with my daughter and we decided to go in and we instantly begin a conversation with Vitality Imas. She was very welcoming and knowledgeable in regards to my daughter needs. My daughter was interested in round frames but the ones she desired was from a few years ago. Imas begin showing her different options and frame sizes to help her decide what was best for her. She made us very comfortable and I was very impressed with how knowledgeable she was. I rarely come across someone who speaks the language even though they are employed at an optometry. I definitely will recommend this place based on her warm welcoming and knowledge. This business is fortunate to have her. read more

Such an amazing optical! They always help me find the frame perfect for me and they have so many great options- both eyeglasses and sunglasses. They also helped me try contact lenses and were more than amazing with the entire process. I will never stop coming to this place for everything I need and would recommend them to anyone!! read more

BEST OPTICAL STORE EVER! When I realized that my new distance glasses weren't right for me (no valid reason that I could think of) I was a bit apprehensive about going to see the people at Kalmus. Certainly, no owner of a business likes returns, and this particular return, prescription glasses, cannot be resold to someone else. However, they couldn't have been nicer and more helpful. The owner offered to change the prescription for my distance glasses into reading glasses, which works out a lot better for me, at no charge. I recommend Kalmus Optical highly. Great customer service as well as a highly competent staff. Ten stars! read more

I moved to NYC within the last year and hoped to find a good Optometrist. The last one I had in San Francisco was fantastic and I figured that NYC being NYC, must have top notch everything. I read reviews on yelp and found this charming little mom and pop ran shop with 5 star ratings and decided to give it a shot. What could go wrong right? What ensued was an experience totally different than what the other two yelpers described. The lady behind the counter was standoffish and while the Optometrist took his time, he did nothing more than what every other Optometrist I've had did. Also, I went in for contacts and I know the routine since I've been wearing them for 10 years. I should not be required to do a contact fitting unless I am new to wearing contacts or if I am switching brands (which I was not). He mentioned that I must do a contact fitting and must be charged for it. I contested but he said that's regulations. So, me being new-ish to NY figured that maybe it's a requirement in NY. Went home, looked online for such a law and found none. Granted, the $15 copay that I have to pay for the contact fitting isn't THAT much in the grand scheme of things (insurance covered most of it) but it's the principle of being blatantly lied to. I understand that they are a mom and pop shop and maybe they just want to make more money. I get that. I'll even forgive the not giving an extra pair of contacts as a sample (every other Optometrist I've had given a free pair), not getting sample solutions, not even getting my own container to put my contacts in while he examined my eyes (the container was a communal container that he just has lying in the examination room). He also didn't schedule a follow up as he should've if he was truly conducting a contact fitting. So, he basically charged me for the contact fitting despite my protests and did absolutely NOTHING that even resembled a contact fitting. While I might have considered going back/recommend others just to support the mom and pop situation, this blatant lie makes me never want to frequent this place again. read more

Once again, four years later, I have to commend Kalmus for providing me with amazing service and value. They worked with me over an hour to find a frame- I had a problem again with my ear once the glasses were made and they worked with me, always reassuring and kind, to resolve my issue. I'm just so thankful they exist. read more

I love dr singer and his staff. They are professional and non-pushy. Very knowledgeable. They even showed my husband how to get a groupon coupon for new glasses! I have been going there for over ten years, and I feel there is no on Ue better. Tops in their field! read more

This place was great! Haven't done an optometry appointment yet, but the glasses purchasing experience was very pleasant. The shop isn't busy any time I've gone, and the two people who work there are always very pleasant and friendly. The selection was good even though the shop isn't huge, and I found exactly what I was looking for in my price range. Ina (sp?) was very helpful and patient, even though it took me quite a while to decide on glasses. My glasses came quickly, but after I wore them for a two weeks, I took them back because I wanted them adjusted and to add anti-glare coating, which they were extremely helpful with as well. Will definitely work with them again in the future! read more

Great place!!! Good selection and kept promises. Will definitely come back. Thank you

This is the type of store that you want to shop at! They know how to take care of the customer. Vitaly is a pleasure to deal with!

I had been shopping for glasses at many neighborhood places, and the estimates were coming it at 800-1000 for high index and graduated bifocals. I had always had bad luck at the chains. I was getting ready to get a costco card and try there when I passed this place. The woman behind the counter was very friendly and helpful. I spent about 15 minutes looking at frames. their price came in at about $450 plus tax. Then the optometrist came out and we talked a bit and I went in for my exam. A real old-school exam, not some 20 year old Chinese kid out of a Phoenix College online degree program who gives you a ten second exam like my last disastrous pair at Cohen's Fashion Optical down the block. With the giant lens machine, full testing for astigmatism and up and down adjustment, the puffing machine for glaucoma, lots of light shining tests, etc. It took about 20 minutes, and then I put this big thing on my head and walked outside to make sure all was well with the prescription I was getting. I needed them in a week because of an upcoming family party and I didn't want to look like Ray Charles in my old extra pair of prescription sunglasses. The counter woman expedited it and it came in ON CHRISTMAS EVE, less than a week, which is better than normal from previous experience! I'll be back when these wear out, which shouldn't be for a long time. read more

After making a dozen phone calls in search of the cheapest place to get an eye exam for contact lenses, I defeatedly headed over to Cohen Optical on 86th which had quoted me $90, the lowest I could find. But on my way over, I passed independent-looking Kalmus Optical and figured it would only take a few seconds to ask how much they charged. The woman behind the counter said $89 and that the optician was available to do the exam right then. The one dollar difference wasn't huge compared to what Cohen Optical was charging, but other independent opticians I had called in the Upper East Side and East Harlem were asking well over $100. Dr Singer, the optician, was very kind and extremely thorough. When I said I was too embarrassed to say how long I had been wearing my current pair of monthly contacts (3 months), Dr. Singer warmly and reassuringly said, "Don't be embarrassed." He quickly put me at ease and checked my eyes. After the exam, I had a prescription and a temporary pair of contacts to tide me over until I receive my order of lenses. Highly recommended. Competent, affordable, and kind. read more

I'm a software architect, and my eyes are very important to me. So, I checked out several places before deciding on this place. And I'm sure glad I did. The cost of the exam (both glasses and contacts) was very reasonable, and Dr. Singer was very thorough with my eye exam. You definitely get the sense that he cares about your eyes. Besides being one of the best optometrists I've ever had, he's humorous and really puts you at ease during the exam. This isn't a chain which is a good thing because you'll get the personal attention and professionalism that those big chains lack. Regarding their selection of frames, I checked out some of their frames while I was there earlier and like another reviewer said, they do have some cool frames. I noticed one pair which looked like it was cut out from granite. I forgot to ask for the price, so I may just have to go back to check it out again. read more

I don't often write reviews but I felt like I had to after my visit at Kalmus Optical. My insurance doesn't cover vision and I would have had to pay $300+ at my usual optometrist for an eye exam and contact lens exam. I saw some good reviews for Kalmus Optical and gave them a call. They gave me a quote over the phone, without going through insurance. It was almost a third of what I'd pay anywhere else in the area. The office is small, but I was in and out in about 20 minutes with a new prescription. They seemed to have a good selection of glasses and the staff was nice. If you're looking for an independently owned optometrist office instead of an overpriced visit at Lenscrafters or Optyx, this is a great choice. read more

I have had the best optical retail experience ever. Dr. Singer gave me a thorough eye exam, took his time, was personable and charming. The manager (I believe), Ina, if I have her name correct, was unbelievably patient with me in parsing which frame shape, frame color, etc., was "the one" for me. Together they put all the chain shops, and many of the "Mom and Pops" to shame. Their customer service was off the charts great. Go there; they have all the coolest new frames and lots of the old favorites. A really terrific selection of frames, excellent service, and wonderful technical-medical expertise. read more

I went to Kalmus Optical because I bought an Amazon local voucher. I had done my eye exam recently so didn't need an appointment with the optometrist. I brought my voucher and subscription. The woman behind the counter was very friendly and took her time to show me a LOT of glasses. I'm talking I went through every one of their display cases and tried on literally over 2 dozen pairs of glasses. She had good taste and I bought a pair of glasses that I loved--a silver frame with green temples. A combination of hip and sleek at the same time. A few days later, I picked up my glasses. They got my prescription perfect and the fit was beautiful. I wore them all the time and I got so many compliments on them. But, after about a month or two, my glasses broke! :( So sad. I brought them back to the shop and the owner, Vitalyi, took a look at them. He said he couldn't fix them himself, but not to worry--they were covered under warranty. YES! There was no hassle whatsoever and even had a very nice conversation with him about the eye business. A couple of days later, I picked them up good as new. They were patient when I was picking out glasses, had a wide variety of styles, professional, and helpful. Will definitely recommend them! read more

I had my eyes checked at Kalmus yesterday to get new contacts. The doctor was outstanding and everyone very service oriented. They wouldn't even sell me a quantity of contacts until I wore the free test lenses for a day. Highly recommend this business. read more

I've been going to Kalmus Optical for about 10 years now for my frames & lenses.....& repairs. Kalmus has an excellent selection and their turn around is incredibly quick. They are my go to for sunglasses, color-tinted lenses, and Transitions. Most importantly, they have taste! Whenever I hear, "Ted, I know this style is popular with the company that ships you a bunch of glasses at a time, but they don't compliment you, try these." East 86th Street has changed but I'm happy that this Upper East Side Gem is here to stay. read more

(NOTE: I did not buy here, due to terrible customer service!) Today I visited this shop to use an Amazon Locals voucher I purchased in August for $249 toward eye exam & prescription eyeglasses at Kalmus Optical. The voucher cost me $30. I bought this groupon because I had not had my vision checked for several years, and I don't have vision insurance, so this seemed like a great deal, especially in the event where I would need to buy glasses (which I wasn't at all sure I would need). I told the man I was there for my 3pm appointment (I was right on time). He and the woman behind the counter were both helping other customers, and he said nothing more to me. So I patiently waited about 15 minutes, because the two customers seemed like they were serious buyers and I wasn't in a huge hurry. Still I would have appreciated an acknowledgement that I waiting, if not an apology, but whatever--at least they were actually busy while ignoring me. When he finally got to me, the man informed me that unless I was DEFINITELY going to buy prescription eyeglasses TODAY, he would not honor the voucher. However, nowhere on the voucher did it say that you could not use it toward only the eye exam in the event that they exam revealed that you had no need for prescription eyeglasses. (And, frankly, it would never occur to me to even ask about this--I merely happened to mention casually that I had no idea how my vision was, but I felt it was time to check it. After all, why would I expect any reasonable business person require me to purchase eyeglasses I had no need for? That would be ridiculous!) By the way, I even offered to pay the difference between the cost of the eye exam and the $30 I had already paid for the voucher (which sounds pretty fair to me), but the merchant completely blew me off. I assume that this wasn't an adequate solution to him because it was Amazon that received my $30, not Kalmus, but that is between them, it should not be the customer's problem or concern. Their partnership is supposed to make the whole experience seamless and more convenient/accessible for the customer, not to create an unpleasant hassle! The bottom line re. Kalmus Optical: both the people working there completely refused responsibility for the fact that their restrictions for using their voucher were not accurately or clearly represented on the voucher. I found this to be very unprofessional. At the very least, they should have given me a $30 credit on the eye exam. In that case, had I ended up needing glasses I would have bought them there, and this could be a five-star review for them. But their greediness over $30 for something that is their mistake (perhaps they should proof the voucher better before Amazon publishes it!) cost them a potential customer and has led to a lengthy, detailed 1-star review. Maybe they will learn a lesson. If you would like to know about how Amazon Local handled my complaint, feel free to read on... This was unacceptable treatment, so I sat down in the chair inside their shop and dialed Amazon Local and explained the very unpleasant situation I was having with their merchant, Kalmus Optical, and their unwillingness to budge. She seemed at first totally unwilling to accept any responsibility whatsoever for the fact that I had paid Amazon Local $30, only to have my voucher denied. Yes, it was Kalmus Optical's unethical bait-and-switch treatment I was complaining about, but it is Amazon with whom I have been a long-standing customer, and it is Amazon that accepted my money, for which I received nothing in return. It was very unprofessional for her to tell me--the paying customer who did nothing wrong--that it was Kalmus Optical's fault and she could not do anything for me because it was beyond their 30-day refund policy. After more arguing/complaining, finally she said she could send the issue to Amazon's Merchant Relations department (or something, can't remember exactly the name), but it would take several days to process my complaint and my voucher was going to expire in 5 days, so that would be a problem, she said. She seemed to be insinuating that this was my fault because this incident didn't occur within Amazon's 30-day refund policy period, since I had waited until a few days before it expired to redeem it (fully within my rights as the customer!). I did not get Amazon to refund my $30 until I told the representative that if this went unresolved, I would not shop at Amazon ever again, and that it did not help me at all for her to blame me for not using it right away, then blame the merchant for dishonoring it, and then have the merchant blame Amazon (which they did, by the way, saying that they asked Amazon to put the restriction in the fine print, and Amazon didn't). That was a lot of fighting for a $30 refund, but it's the principle! In the future, I will research each merchant more carefully and perhaps call them myself to get the REAL "fine print". read more

In my opinion, Kalmus is a big rip off. I just had cataract surgery and needed new bifocals for use when I am on the computer. They said their cheapest glasses were $159 and the lenses would be $280. They said that I had to have polycarbonate lenses and tint on the lenses. I literally went across the street, to another eyeglass store. Bottom line the lenses were $88., using my own frames. Because of the surgery, and the change in my prescription, I did not need the polycarbonate lenses and since the glasses were to be used indoors, there was no need for an anti- glare coating. I saved almost $200. read more

I handed in my frames and my prescription on Sunday and where the other optical store I visited said they would have the work done in at least a week, Kalmus Optical had it ready for me the very next day. Not only did they get it done quickly they did a superb jobs with the lenses. Fast, courteous and reliable. Thank you! read more

I'm sure their quality is as good as anyone else's, but their pricing is outrageous. I bought a $50 Groupon, good for $200 towards a pair of glasses. I have done that at much posher places, and the $50 covered everything. So I was quite horrified to discover that their barebones price -- cheap frames, single prescription (which I brought with me), sunglass tint -- was $278, meaning I was out of pocket $128. Considering that an AARP or AAA card gets you a pair of glasses for $99 at quite a few perfectly fine optical stores, I hate the fact that using a Groupon at this place wound up costing me money, not saving me any. Shame on them! read more

Kalmus Optical has been my go-to place for contacts and eyeglasses since the early 2000's. They're a really wonderful store with a great selection and service, and Dr. Singer is an excellent optometrist. I read some of the comments here that suggest that they're not cheap, and that's true, they're not cheap, but what you get for that premium is a relationship. They take care to get to know their customers, and that comes with all of the little benefits of working with a small store that remembers who you are. They've gone above and beyond for me countless times, from shipping contact lenses on short notice to far corners of the world when I was traveling to rapidly fixing my glasses when I've broken them to checking in on my vision and making sure my prescription is updated. This is a gem of a locally owned store that knows its customers in a city that's beginning to look like a strip mall. read more