Let me tell you about a magician named Morgan, an optician at Studio Optix. When I lived in the city, I went there for my eye exams (conducted by Dr. Cassel) and it was there I found the pair of glasses I was sure I would wear for the rest of my life. They were Bevel Brilliant titanium frames in a rich espresso color. They were stylish as hell, light as air, and slipped on like butter thanks to the oversize temple tips. A year after finding these specs, I moved to Montreal, and six months after that a young woman I liked broke up with me. I took off the glasses as she told me it was over... And her puppy, a Bernese mountain dog who weighed a hair under 120 pounds, totally oblivious to the human drama unfolding, ran over and began chewing on this new plaything that appeared on the arm of the sofa. Saying that was a bad day is an understatement. Titanium's strong, but the big dog made short work of both the frames and lenses. And I think it may have swallowed one of the nose pads. I loved those glasses. Even in their mangled state, I couldn't bear to throw them out until I'd found an exact replacement. And of course fashions had shifted and Bevel had discontinued the model. No luck finding old stock at the local optometrists or online. Still, I held onto them. Skip ahead to a few weeks ago. I'm down in the city to see some friends, and I decide to quickly stop at Studio Optix to look for something similar. It's a Friday afternoon, and I don't have an appointment. I've brought the frames with me for comparison, and they are even more disgusting than I remember. Lenses scratched and caked in dog saliva, arms bent outward, hinges at wrong angles, a missing nose pad. Morgan sits down at his desk and recognizes me, even though it has been six years since my last visit. I explain what I'm looking for, and he searches through their cabinets for the closest thing to my old frames. And he finds a pair. They're not exact, but they're approximate. I don't have time for a check-up or to get the lenses, so he copies down the model info onto a card for me for the next time I'm in town. Then he looks at my original frames and says, "I'll be right back with these." He takes them into their back room and returns twenty minutes later with... My heart stops. They were bent. Broken. Scratched. Missing a nose pad. The glasses that fit my face are whole again. I mean, I know how he did it. He's a professional. He's probably done this a thousand times before. He has pliers with nylon tips for reshaping metal. There's probably an entire case of tiny screws. But looking at the results I'm still not entirely convinced he's not a hybrid surgeon/sorcerer who, for some reason, works with glasses. "Before you go, let me get you a new case." And he does. Morgan is a magician. And a damn fine optician. I cannot speak highly enough about him, or the service I continue to receive at Studio Optix, even after all these years. Morgan, thank you. read more

TERRIBLE absolutely TERRIBLE customer service. I've been going to Studio Optix for some time now. It's convenient as I work in the area. The convenience is no longer a reason to go to a place where many (however NOT ALL) are unprofessional. I've experienced some attitude a number of times...mostly dismissive and I felt it was always location. NYC midtown everyone's in a rush. Maybe you shouldn't schedule patients every 15 minutes. Leave room for tardiness as well as TLC from a doctor. The staff at the front desk can use a lesson in customer service... HOWEVER, NOT FROM THE OFFICE MANAGER!!! I will try to keep this brief... Let's just say I had an issue with a Lindsey who works there _ RUDE AS F--K!! so I called back for the OFFICE MANAGER and was kept on hold for just over 5 minutes as it seems Lindsey explained her one sided story.... NOW COMES THE GOOD PART... When the office manager answered she said "hi how can I help you" my response I had an issue with Lindsey a little while ago and would like to clear it up. I need to see the doctor and ...long story short OFFICE MGR RESPONSE "I know the whole story you need not tell me again I spoke with Lindsey and she filled me in...she was not necessarily wrong" UHMMMM Hello what are you 5 years old office manager.... Have you listened to the issue that I told you has taken place or are you going to deal with this with only the information Lindsey your employee has given you.... YUP ladies & gentleman that's exactly what happened. When finally I pointed that out to her and she realized how frustrated I was and I finally said "forget it I'll take my business elsewhere" she bent and said ok well let me see I will squeeze you in. REALLY NOW...guess what after anyone is spoken to this way never ever do you feel comfortable going back in to that place of business.... SO YES I AM NOW A VERY ANGRY PREVIOUS CUSTOMER... NO longer will I take my very generous insurance and even more generous pocket which fills your paychecks year after year as I typically treat myself to very expensive designer glasses payment more than $500 out of pocket after you charge my insurance for every possible penny they are willing to give you. THIS BY FAR IS THE WORST OPTICS place I've been to and I have been wearing glasses for 25 years now. There are no words for your lack of professionalism and customer service. Thanks to the office manager and Lindsey this place will never see me or my $ ever again.!!! They should have also kept in mind that I work at one of the biggest financial firms which hundreds of fellow co-workers now used to visit your location. WORD OF MOUTH AND EMAIL BLASTS COULD be very bad publicity for a buss... The year has just started and many of us are eager to use our insurance plans and bonus $$$ for necessities. OH WELL YOU WILL NOT BE SEEING ANY OF MINE. read more

Not sure how everyone else seems to have such a mediocre opinion of this place--I had a great experience. As a fugitive from LensCrafters's oh-so-speedy method of eye exam (a series of hangry assistants throwing instruments at my eyes and ten non-informative minutes spent with the doctor), I'm grateful to have found Studio Optix. First of all, the place is lovely; convenient to work, the subway, whatever; shiny clean without being overwhelming; and totally welcoming. The staff is super friendly--they got me in for my appointment right away even while dealing with other customers--and seems to really care about finding you the exact right frames. (Though I didn't buy glasses, I did witness one woman kvell over her frames to the sales associate for about five minutes). Dr. Rana was a total sweetheart, friendly and chatty but also taking me efficiently through all the weird machines and actually EXPLAINING how to use them so I didn't feel like an idiot when I wasn't sure what green dot to stare at. They even had this crazy thing that photographs the back of your eye (!), which seemed gratuitous until Dr. Rana actually showed me the photo at the end of my exam, outlining every blood vessel and nerve and showing me how mine were healthy. Seriously, I probably learned more in those three minutes that an entire unit of neuroscience. I'd been using crazy expensive contacts I HATED for six months after my eye doctor in Philly enthusiastically prescribed them, and as soon as I mentioned the brand, Dr. Rana made a hilarious face. "Oh no," she said, "we're getting you off those." I got 10 days worth of dailies (which I'd never used before, but which Dr. Rana sensibly recommended since I pretty much wear my monthlies until they crack, screwing up my eyes in the process). The sales assistant warned me that dailies might be more expensive, but they wound up being cheaper than my old monthlies! All in all, I left feeling like I'd been gracefully shepherded through a totally pleasant experience--and I paid less than I had in PHILADELPHIA. read more

Studio Optix is an amazing place that I highly recommend. I get custom cosmetic soft contact lens there for my left eye from which I have no vision. I had a congenital abnormality that resulted in scarring on the cornea and iris of that eye creating the appearance of a light blue color. The custom lenses are comfortable and cosmetically look great. The contact lenses enable me to have normal life experiences. The staff there is amazing. Specifically I have spent hours with Dr. Mitch Cassell and Sandy Fenner. Dr. Cassell is the optometrist there who examines my eye and checks the fit of the lens. He is an unusually warm and caring doctor. He has expressed to me that although he does special effects for celebrities in movies he finds his work with people like me whose lives have been changed by his lenses to be incredibly satisfying. Sandy is the technician who creates my lenses. She too is a unique person. She spends as much time as she needs to evaluate the lens' color, fit, and comfort. She is patient and never makes me feel rushed. This team, Dr. Cassell and Sandy, have been my lifeline for many years. I am grateful to them both and highly recommend them if you need a cosmetic contact lens for any reason. They have truly changed my life and given me confidence. I have a successful career, and a family and am so fortunate to have my team to rely on. JP read more

I just moved from California to New York City to work for JCrew and asked a few of my co-workers for optometrist recommendations. A few of the girls highly recommended Studio Optix, but after reading some of the reviews on here and on yelp I was a little bit skeptical. Regardless, I made the appointment and ended up having the best customer experience ever. Dr. Cassel was very kind and patient, and walked me through the entire eye exam process. Afterwards, he introduced me to Sandy and she's a true gem. She spent over 2.5 hours with me trying to find the right frame and color that best matches my features and personality. I told Sandy that I was new to New York City, and as I was paying for my purchase Sandy walks over to me with a list of places, restaurants, and things to do. She even wrote down directions to her favorite restaurant that she suggested me to go to for lunch that day. As I was getting ready to leave, another patient of Studio Optix walks in with a box of Magnolia cupcakes for the entire staff, as a huge thank you to Dr. Cassel and Sandy for staying after hours on a Saturday to fit him for custom color contacts. Businesses that truly care about their customers are rare to find, especially in the hustle and bustle of NYC. You won't regret being a patient here because you're more like a friend than a customer. I highly recommend them!!! read more

I find it rather surprising that anyone would have a less than exceptional experience at Studio Optix. I've been going to Dr. Cassel for at least five years now and this review couldn't begin to do this place enough justice! Each and every time I've interacted with the staff - over the phone and in person - I've been treated with the utmost professionalism and courtesy. However, more than that Dr. Cassel's staff truly cares about the individual; they have always gone out of their way to work with my schedule, understand my history, needs and limitations. In a city like New York, this truly is a rare quality. You don't have to be a celebrity to receive outstanding service; you just have to be a normal person who cares about the health of his/her eyes. I'd also like to say that unlike many eye doctors that I've been to in the past, Dr. Cassel is an effectively meticulous, forward-thinking expert in his field. He doesn't just "go through the motions" of examining your eyes, but efficiently and clearly explains his holistic approach to ophthalmic health. One last note: My work's insurance plan only covers eye exams every other year, but the cost for my annual exams (with or without insurance) is worth every penny. I definitely feel lucky to have found such a stellar doctor, staff and facility! read more

I have been a client for many years, just following the routine eye exams as recommended. Not really paying too much attention. An Eye Doctor here, an Optometrist there and even the optician. Never gave much thought to them. It was my once a year ordeal but over time, they always seemed to recognize me, even remembering things I have said or done in prior visits. They are all pleasant, attentive and all very attractive. Long story short is; I do trust and value their expertise, whether they are adjusting my collection of old glasses, to my eye exams and even fixing my odd eye ailments. They have always been kind and extremely patient. My optician helped me for my first time, using contacts and that was no easy feat. She is the best and I mean that! My Eye Doc, she is as beautiful as she is talented. She is easy to talk to, patient getting things right and generous with her time. I would strongly recommend Studio Optix for your eye care, issues that arise in your eyes and shopping for hip and cool eye wear that's affordable. You will be the next online posting a positive review for Studio Optix and their staff. The location is the bomb! in Rockefeller Center in the heart of New York, plus you have Saturday Night 'Live' and 30 Rock crew running all around. 'ya never know... happy visions- read more

In response to your note. Here are the issues: - Went in for an exam and clearly needed readers, not progressives - Your aggressive salesperson (Anna I believe) sold me on progressives (to the tune of $500) - I reached out in what I felt was a "reasonable" time frame and she told me no refund could be given - and did not mention a re-do policy. She is conveniently no longer there - I then reached out to AMEX to dispute - That's when you called me and YES, were rude and unaccommodating. Why didn't you tell me at that time there was a "re-do" policy on progressives as you just mentioned? I have a $500 pair of glasses sitting here that are useless. Also - by my count you have 43 one star reviews on Yelp with issues ranging from attitude of your staff, unprofessional service, UPSELLING for un-needed services, etc....Soooo....I see a trend - don't you? You want to work something out - let me know what you can do about a $500 pair of glasses sitting here after no communication was given that it could have been rectified in a more timely manner. I am not into hurting anyone's business - but I'm also not into buying $500 glasses that I can't use. And by the way, people that I know that have used your store told me after the fact of similar issues. Wish I would have known. read more

Customer Services at its best! Friday: I lost my (very expensive) prescription glasses and was in desperate need for a new pair. I went to Studio Optix to see if they could get me a new pair ASAP with my current prescription. Being from London and not having experienced the New York healthcare system, I wanted the exact prescription I previously had, so got a report sent in from my UK doctor. Studio Optix went above and beyond to fast track a service for me and promised to have my glasses available on Tuesday, Monday was a bank holiday and as I was flying to London on Wednesdayfor 3 weeks. Adam, in one shot, picked out the most amazing pair of Chanel frames and I was sold! Tuesday: Received a call that my glasses were ready. I went to try them on only to have the prescription far too strong in the left eye - London messed up! Cherissa who was working with me arranged an appointment with Dr Butler within 30 mins, he was great - I should have seen him in the first place. Within 2 hours my new prescription was ready and I left a very happy lady. I would highly recommend Studio Optix if you want professionalism, care, a very good stylist (Adam), proactive services especially in an emergency. Thank you guys very much. :) read more

My four year old daughter woke up last Saturday morning with her right eyelid completely swollen. She was crying hysterically from the pain and I called Studio Optix immediately. Unfortunately, an optometrist wasn't scheduled to be in the office that day, but after explaining the situation to one of the staff members she said she would personally call Dr. Cassel and inform him of the situation. About 5 minutes later, I received a phone call from the Studio Optix staff member and she told me that Dr. Cassel would end his golf game early and come up from New Jersey to see my daughter around noon that day. I have only been a patient at Studio Optix for a year and have only been in the office twice, but both times I felt like I was being treated as a customer that has done business with them for over 20 years. I wouldn't go anywhere else. They have talented and friendly doctors, a great staff, and a fabulous selection of glasses. You won't regret coming here. read more

I recently had an exceptional experience with Dr. Mitchell Cassel who fitted me for contacts despite my very challenging prescription. As a middle-aged man, I had struggled to find the right fit for years, but Dr. Cassel took the time to ensure everything was perfect. His attention to detail and patient-centered approach truly set him apart. He didn't rush the process, making sure I was comfortable and confident with the new lenses. They were reasonably priced given their location in central NYC. To top it all off, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that his office is a go-to spot for celebrities. It was quite an exciting bonus to know that I was in the same capable hands trusted by so many high-profile clients. The combination of top-notch care and a touch of glamour made my visit memorable. I highly recommend Dr. Cassel for anyone looking for expert eye care with a personal touch! read more

I just wanted to highly recommend Studio Optix for all your stylish glasses and contact lenses needs. I recently purchased a 6-month supply of contacts from them and I absolutely love them! Their selection is excellent, prices are fair, and it was so easy to figure out with my insurance. But what really sets them apart is their top-notch customer service. The staff is not only friendly, but also efficient and professional. I was lucky enough to have Tatyana and Dr. Butler take care of me from start to finish. Their patience and exceptional service went above and beyond, and I can confidently say that this will be my go-to place for all future vision exams and new sunglasses. I was also blown away by the sophisticated technology they use. It's truly impressive. If you're in need of new glasses or contacts, I highly recommend giving Studio Optix a try. You won't be disappointed! read more

I recently visited Studio Optix on the recommendation of a close friend in the optics business, as they carried a wide selection of the higher-end frames I was seeking. I have to say that the service I received was absolutely top class, from start to finish. Adam, an excellent customer representative, greeted me warmly, and assisted me through the entire process in getting my new glasses. In addition to providing helpful recommendations, I was connected to WiFi, so I could "facetime a friend" to help making a selection, and I was given an incredible deal when I opted to purchase 2 pairs of glasses. My glasses were custom-made, and shipped overnight to me upstate, and I absolutely love them. Studio Optix has definitely become my go-to place for glasses, and their attention to detail, and high-end customer service is a reminder of how it should be done. read more

For the past few months, I had had some concern about my eyes and contacts. A friend recommended that I go to Studio Optix after I had an unfortunate experience with an opthamologist. My experience at Studio Optix could not have been more opposite. Although it was busy in the store, I was greeted immediately by Adam who told my Dr. Rana would be with me shortly. Dr. Rana was incredibly knowledgable and immediately zeroed in on the issues I had been having and was able to explain them in a clear and concise manner. She patiently answered all of my questions and I couldn't have truster her more. When I was finished with Dr. Rana, Adam helped me with and clearly explained all of my insurance information. I was in and out in no time and feeling that I had been in the best of hands! I would recommend Studio Optix to anyone in a heart beat!! read more

Studio Optix has been my go-to for all things eye related for over 18 years. Dr Cassel, Dr Butler and all the staff are knowledgeable and attentive. The selection of glasses and sunglasses is amazing. And the customer service is excellent! Earlier this year, I purchased two pairs of prescriptions sunglasses and had them mailed to my home. From the moment I alerted Studio Optix that FedEx delivered my sunglasses to an incorrect address, Erica was on top of the situation. She kept me updated as she worked with FedEx to track down the package. Unfortunately, FedEx lost my sunglasses. Erica reordered my prescription lenses, hunted down one of the frames, and credited me the cost of the other frame as Chanel no longer carried those sunglasses. I recently picked up my new sunglasses and am very happy with both pairs. Thank you, Erica! read more

At the end of March 2013, I visited Studio Optix, and was greeted by Mitchell We had just completed a circumnavigation cruise around South America, and my silhouette glasses had snapped. I was at a loss as to what to do, and Mitchell very kindly and instantly made me feel there was a very quick solution to enable me to continue our holiday and be able to "see". The professionalism was wonderful and I had full confidence of everything I was advised. Within 1 business day I had been provided with new glasses, even better than my original. I just wanted to say thank you to all the staff for turning my nightmare into a great outcome. Also the staff went over and above the call of duty, and I am very grateful indeed. If only everyone was able to show such a caring and professional attitude in all our business endeavours. read more

I went to Studio Optix for the first time to get my prescription for my glasses filled. Morgan was very patient with me, allowing me to try on as many pairs as I needed. They have an amazing selection of very unique glasses!! When I finally serttled on a gorgeous pair of Alain Miklis, he said it could be ready tomorrow!! Yeah.!! When I picked them up, the prescription felt wrong so I took them back and even though I had gone to a different optician to get the prescription, Dr Cassel agreed to see me and corrected my prescription at no extra cost. Thank you so much Dr Cassel and staff. I really appreciated the VIP treatment.!! The glasses available here a really awesome! You have to see for yourself. I hate getting old. I hate wearing glasses, but this pair makes me look more awesome! read more

Let me start by saying "I'm very particular and have never wanted to be part of the norm and don't try to sell me something that many have purchased just because of the name". Now, getting that out of the way.... Studio Optix...expensive...maybe, depending how original you are or choose to be...Originality in eyewear is by far one of the best in the city...Customer service...well, I don't know about all of the agents or host there, but Dawn, Erica and Morgan are absolutely by far top notch. If you do happen to read this, understand, I do not put up with snooty Customer service reps ANYWHERE, period. If you do want great service in all that is Optical, see either Dawn or Erica and definitely say hi to Morgan. They will...looking amazing and confident. Don't forget, tell them Frederic said so. read more

I woke up with pink eye!!! I was so worried I called the office for the first time and a wonderful woman named lindsey or zinzie re assured me that everything would be ok they accepted my insurance and she said she would fit me in as best they could. They told me to come in right away...Dr. Cassell was amazing. Not only did he help with all the guck in my eye but gave me some samples and a prescription. I felt so good that he knew exactly what i was going through! I was out of there in less than 30 min which was great because i had to get back to work, right in the building. Thank You Studio Optix!!!! Also... in response to whoever said that the office manager was not helpful..that is soooo NOT true! I love Dawn! She didnt even know me and made me feel so welcome. Thank you guys so much read more