I don't write a lot of reviews. In fact, I write very few. But this one must be written, both from joy, and a very LARGE debt of gratitude. While brevity is indeed a virtue, to make the necessary point here, this review cannot be a simple "good", or in this case "great". But because I know how limited time is, and attention can be, let me begin with the end, for those of you who do not need or want the longer version. The end is this: I'm a person with a specific medical eye condition requiring eyeglass lenses made, in essence, perfectly.
"Perfect" is difficult in life. And in eyeglass manufacture, it is surprisingly difficult for a lab to achieve. Because of my specific medical problem, "very good" lenses, by normal industry standards, makes it difficult for me to read. And less than good makes it impossible to read. After a decade of dealing with this, and dealing with inconsistent and often poor results (to my medically required standard of optical excellence), I have finally found ONE eyeglass shop, and one person with the expertise, and lab relationships to manage delivery of best-in-industry finished lenses. That shop is Optical Illusions, on 6th, downtown Seattle. The person is the manager, Avis Ravsten. Avis Ravsten and Optical Illusions are, between here and Los Angeles, (where I used to live), the best optician and eyeglass shop I've found. If that's all you need to know, you've got it.
For those of you who want more detail, I can add this. Because of my condition, distortion in eyeglass lenses, while never a good thing for anyone, is disabling to me. You might think that all quality lenses are distortion free. This is not even close to the case. The industry allows for significant distortion as "acceptable". And I have learned that labs often manufacture lenses outside the allowed parameters.
My problems with lenses have ALL come from top quality eyeglass shops, here and in Los Angeles. All use only the best brands of lenses, and SAY they use only the best labs to make them. It doesn't matter. Reality is that I have received glasses over the years which, once tested by third parties, were shown to have significant levels of distortion.
After years of struggles simply to receive truly BEST available quality lenses, I met Avis Ravsten, the optician at Optical Illusions, on 6th Ave, in Seattle. Avis understood I needed lenses that were zeroed in. She owned the problem as if it were her own.
To achieve the best possible outcome, she elected to have my lenses made at Capital Lab, here in Seattle. Avis enlisted the help of Jean Frieler, manager of Capital Lab. Because even minimal, normally acceptable distortion was an issue for me, Jean sought the guidance of Warren Meyer, a senior executive with VSP Labs of America, which owns Capital Lab. Warren, a very busy man, called me, and we spoke for nearly an hour on the phone. He wanted to understand everything he could about my condition, and my specific use of eyeglasses, so that he could make a judgment and recommendation as to best materials to use for my situation (eyeglass lenses can be made in many materials). And then best coatings to apply to the elected materials.
I wear three different scripts, for distance, intermediate and close. Distance glasses are new for me. But I can say with certainty that so far as the other glasses are concerned, in both cases, these are simply the best lenses I have ever received. I know that to be true because I can work at my computer far longer, with much better concentration than I have been able to do in years.
And now, with my latest pair of reading glasses, I can again read books, after having given up trying over a year ago.
This is why I am taking the time to write all this. It is personal. I owe a significant debt of gratitude to Avis, Optical Illusions, and the good folks of Capital and VSP labs. But even if you have fine eyes, and just need 'normal' reading or distance glasses, you of course want the best. And Avis Ravsten and Optical Illusions will provide that for you, from a large selection of tasteful designer frames.
Bottom line: if you want great looking frames with superior lenses, for no more than you would pay at any other reputable eyeglass shop, see Avis Ravsten at Optical Illusions. She's the best I've ever met in her profession. read more
