If you are looking for generic, cookie-cutter frames, go elsewhere. But if you want a masterclass in eyewear, go see Karen and Aimee. This may be the nicest frame shop I've ever been to What I appreciate most is their honesty. They recently saved me a significant amount of money by advising against anti-reflective coating after I mentioned my frustration with smudging. Most shops would just take the upsell, but Karen and Aimee actually care. read more

Okay, first of all can I just say how wonderful Aimee and Karen are? They're an absolute joy of a team and I love spending time with them talking about anything and everything! I've been going to The Optician since 2018 and my god it has changed my life and how I've viewed glassesware! I didnt even realize that glasses needed to be adjusted to your own face and the amount of comfort it gives you over the entire day, amazing! I never feel fatigued after adjustments done to my frames with them. Simply amazing. I have about 10 pairs of glasses with them now and have brought most people I know who wear glasses into the store for a new pair or two or three of glasses and the level of care and attention to detail to everyone I bring and myself is so above and beyond with what I've gotten in the past before I found The Optician. They not only help guide what looks good on you but also listen to the comfort/needs of the client in such a nuanced way that really lets the person pick what they feel the best in! Not to mention the unbridled enthusiasm when someone finds a pair that they're so in love with is just... chef's kiss moment! Honestly can't wait to start shopping for a new pair every year :) read more

So I have really bad vision -11.0. My optician for the last 40 years retired and I decided to try one of those big name brand box stores...bad idea with my level of prescription! Very bad! They could not get my prescription right. Desperate, I searched Google and Yelp for the best reviewed optician and found Aimee at The Optician!!! She set up a speed dating session for me with a huge number of glasses....amazingly the very first pair she picked for me was the winner! she is that good! She knew what frame would fit my face and work with my prescription the best. This was the easiest, most painless eyeglass selection wxperience of my life. Aimee also encouraged me to try progressives and I'm so glad I did!!!! They are a game changer...I have new eyes. I didn't realize how much details I was missing before. Go to The Optician...Aimee will take care of you! read more

I haven't been back to The Optician for almost 10 years --- now that I have family living in the east bay, I came back to get 2 pairs of glasses with Karen. She is just awesome -- meticulous to ensure the prescription/lenses are measured correctly and perfectly. Her taste is impeccable, she recommends the right frames for your style/face/budget. I call her the "magic hands" -- she can adjust the glasses and it just floats on my face. She also has a huge inventory of all kinds of frames -- hundreds if not more of all shapes and sizes, colors and material. You won't be disappointed. read more

They were so thorough, I was really surprised. Felt very important and cared about, because they double-checked the lens prescription I brought in. And, other checks I haven't experienced before. Definately the best place to go for all your Optical needs! (Plus the frames I got from them are super cute and comfortable.) read more

Karen and Aimee absolutely strive to get the best frames for your face. They know all their products, and know what will work best for your prescription. My prescription is really difficult, and I have had problems getting the lenses "just right" in the past: They work with me until it is PERFECT! Their selection of frames is superior - they find quality manufacturers from Europe and the US and have a huge selection to choose from. They know that glasses are an investment, and they want you to be not only comfortable, but look great as well. The best customer service and quality around! read more

Hours are posted here on Yelp , but upon arrival there is a note on the door saying 'by appointment only. Maybe we can let you in if no one else is here.' It's a pain to get here and park. Don't list hours just say by appointment only. I came here to be 3 sets of frames today, but will purchase them elsewhere. What a waste of time. read more

Karen at The Optician has been an amazing ally in my journey with aging eyes. I have been using her services for probably ten years now. The frames she sold me are vintage and unique and they are perfect. She even put another pair aside for me that she came across, knowing I would need them someday. When they need adjustments I just send her a note and schedule a time to stop by, which I completely look forward to because I really enjoy her shop and her engaging conversation. She's smart, interesting, good-hearted and someone I feel great about supporting. read more

The Optician - Eyewear & Opticians Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great experience all around. My partner found the perfect glasses. Very happy. Thanks!

I really like how Karen, the proprietor here is a bit anti-establishment and that she doesn't carry and sell brands from large optical conglomerate companies, only smaller brands or her own custom branded frames that have been handmade for her by more  artisan type companies. She even uses a local 'mom and pop' lens company and not some huge lens factory for the lenses. We gotta support small business! Aimee here spent a bunch of time with me helping me pick out the ideal frames.  Not only frames that look good on me, but also equally as important, fit my face. I consider myself difficult to fit and also picky, and we were able to narrow it down to two or three pairs out of like 40 that she selected for me initially in my one on one consultation. She was very helpful throughout the process. Karen was also very helpful with regards to my prescription lenses. We had to have them redone since I realized that the super high index thin type of lenses did not work well for my vision and she had no problem working to get it right for me. Her shop has a very welcoming and cool atmosphere, think a bit Steampunk, not like 90's modern that you see at so many optical places. I've been to other opticians before where you just browse a wall full of frames on your own, and then every one you try on, if you ask, they say- 'those look great on you' or they try to steer you to ever more expensive lines. Refreshingly, you won't experience that at The Optician. Karen or Aimee will actually tell you if certain frames do not work well for your face or your overall look. read more

10 stars if I could! Fabulous shop with great selection of trendy and classic frames. I bought a pair 8 years ago and recently came back all these years later. Not only did Karen spend loads of time readjusting my old frames and clip-ons so they look and feel like new, but also was so patient and focused on helping me find a new pair of frames. She really knows how to help you choose the best frames for your face, personality, and style. She listens to your concerns. I've even emailed them questions and both Aimee and Karen are so amazing in their knowledge to provide advise from a far. The person who complained about the hours -- well, in this day and age, its important to call places to double check. They started a new policy of requesting people make appointments but its so they can give you undivided attention and continue to give the 10-star service the do. So if you need a new pair of glasses and you are in the Bay - just GO! read more

This was the best experience ever looking for frames. Karen, the owner, is so nice, resourceful, helpful, and inspiring. What a beautiful little shop. So nice to be in there having her selecting frames to try. All of the frames were unusual, and excellent quality. She tried very hard to find the correct frames for me. Thank you! read more

Karen is the best. Helped me find the right frames for my needs. The new glasses arrived sooner than expected, and are perfect. My second pair from The Optician over the last few years, and I would gladly go there again. read more

I came to The Optician based upon a recommendation by an acquaintance. I was looking for a particular brand of eyeglasses that I had seen on social media, and a little research showed that The Optician carried this brand. I was greeted by Karen as soon as I arrived. Karen looked over my five year old pair of glasses, cleaned them up, then went right to work to find my ideal glasses. She first chose the brand that I was looking for (Moscot), but Karen's assessment was that Moscots were too small for my face (I agreed). She went about pulling 25+ eyeglasses for me to try. It came down to my choice of FHONE, a brand from Germany that I had never heard of. I picked up my new glasses on Saturday, and they look fantastic! They're also very comfortable. I greatly appreciate Karen's expertise and patience. Aimee helped me when I did my pick up, and she too is skilled and competent. These are my first progressive glasses, and I am appreciative of their thorough explanation of how progressives function and their care when I tried them on for the first time. I also ordered some custom clip-on sunglasses, which look great and function very well with my new glasses. The Optician is a small business well worth supporting. They have my highest recommendation! read more

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I used to always get my glasses adjusted at the same place and this was the first time I got them adjusted at a new place. The adjustment from the place I usually go to was not great but I figured it was a problem with the glasses not fitting my face and I wasn't sure if it could be fixed. I thought I bought the wrong glasses! I'm relieved to say that I was wrong! Karen (then Aimee, I went back another time to re-adjust a bit - but note that they don't charge for returning!) did a spectacular job adjusting. They are super detail oriented and it's clear they are so good at what they do. Karen fixed a warping in my frames that the other optometry had never mentioned and taught me that when glasses slide down, the key isn't to make it tight, it's to loosen it (all the other times I had gotten adjustments they always tightened the glasses so they would stay up). I learned a lot thanks to Karen! IThanks to Karen and Aimee my new glasses fit me so well! I can't believe it's only $10 for the adjustment per glasses (I paid $20 for 2, and it took Karena about 40 min total). The next time I get new glasses I'm also going to come here. This place is amazing!! read more

My glasses were sooo crooked to the point where I considered just throwing them away. Within only 20 minutes they fixed both pairs, patiently explained what was wrong with them and I am extremely happy!! Would 100% recommend to anyone! read more

Karen & Amiee are the best opticians in the East Bay! They have a small but terrific selection of glasses and spent a lot of time with both my wife & I, selecting frames, ensuring a proper fit & just being incredibly pleasant folks. Both my wife and I LOVE our new glasses and highly recommend The Optician for your next pair of frames. read more

This shop has the most amazing selection of glasses, and Karen did a great job finding me a pair that look good and feel good. I get lot of compliments. Can't recommend them enough. read more

I went on a trip to New York and left my glasses at home. I had to buy an emergency pair at Moscot (they can get you a pair in 24 hours fyi), which was a great excuse to drop some cash on new frames. Unfortunately, they didn't fit correctly. I went to my Berkeley optometrist, who adjusted my new glasses by hand, strong-arming them and leaving a permanent bend in the frame. And they still were too tight. I started to regret moving back to the East Bay "provinces" from NYC. Fortunately I found The Optician. They adjusted the fit in 5 minutes, with no charge. Glasses felt great. A few months later I broke the nosepad, returned to the store, and once again they fixed them free of charge. Even after I offered to pay. In short, this place is awesome, and I'll be buying my next pair of glasses from them. read more

I had some Moscot frames that were slipping and other places hadn't really been able to help. Made an appointment at The Optician and they were able solve the problem in just a few minutes. Really appreciate their expertise and excellent customer service! read more

Been coming to Karen @ TO for years as she worked her way up to having her own store. Highly recommend her keen eye for style and faces. TO has a curated collection of distinct eyewear for the discriminating glasses aficionado. read more

I wish I could give 10 stars for this place. Karen, the owner, is phenomenal. I've worn glasses for over 30 years and have never had such excellent, knowledgeable, and personalized help to find the right pair and tweak things as needed to get the perfect fit. I've never been excited about a pair of glasses before, but Karen helped me find one that fit my facial features well and looks really stylish. I was actually excited to get them! I had no idea there were so many factors to consider and things that could be tweaked, but she knows them all and was able to integrate them to find a pair that I love. She even fixed the broken arm of my old glasses so I would have a good backup pair if needed. She truly went above and beyond, and I don't want to go to anyone else for glasses ever again! Although I had less interaction with the other employee, Aimee, she was friendly and helpful as well. I can't express how wonderful this place is. It's in a convenient downtown Berkeley location, prices are competitive, the selection of frames is great, they have good safety practices in place due to the pandemic, and the turnaround time to get my glasses made was much faster than usual at other places. I had to go back to the store a few times to tweak things and never had to wait long for an appointment. I wholeheartedly recommend The Optician! read more

I am so grateful to Aimee at The Optician for helping me find a pair of glasses frames, and in general for providing excellent service. I have a complex prescription and a small face, so it's very hard for me to find frames that fit. I'd been to every online site and about seven opticians in the East Bay without finding anything suitable. I went to The Optician and Aimee found a number of wonderful, small, unused, good-quality, inexpensive vintage frames, but none of them was perfect. Later she called me at home to say she had found some more. She went to a lot of trouble looking for me; I made a total of three visits before buying anything. On the third visit I found a flattering pair that fits, and I'm so happy! She also did a great job of adjusting not only the frames that I purchased, but a fragile old pair that I've worn forever. Glasses frames can cost a lot, and many opticians are more into sales than helping you finding what's right for you. It's gratifying to find someone who provides this level of care and professionalism. read more

Super trendy optical store in Berkeley near Downtown Berkeley BART station. Since it's on that side of dt Berkeley, parking wasn't terribly difficult. Aimee was so helpful in helping me find a pair of frames! As soon as I entered the store, she greeted me and quickly started pulling frames off the shelves as soon as she saw me express interest in frames without me even asking for help! I loved that she looked at frames on the 50% off side as well as the full price frames. She didn't push me to make an expensive purchase; she wanted to help me find the best frames for my prescription and face shape. All in all, it took me less than 30 minutes to find and purchase my glasses! Definitely recommend anyone looking for some trendy frames to check out The Optician. read more

Aimee was AMAZING!!! My partner and I both ordered new glasses with great confidence because of Aimee. We made an appointment not knowing if we would follow through with buying and when we arrived and through out our visit we never felt pressured to buy, but instead felt excited to buy. They have a great selection and a comfortable yet intimate space to try on glasses. Aimee was so so so beyond helpful in helping us both find the right pair that not only were cool and fun but also complemented our faces. She was so honest and so lovely at the same time. I learned a lot about what colors and shapes work for my face and that information is priceless. She has a great eye, great style and a great way of helping people find what will truly make you glow. 10/10 recommend this shop and plan to always come back! Thank you Aimee for being amazing!!! read more

Amazing!! I bent my eyeglasses yesterday. I usually fix things myself, so I removed the screw with DIY eyeglass fixing kit... but I couldn't bend the hinge back in the correct shape. I couldn't fit the leg back on. Got it to the Optician, and they fixed it in 10 min. read more

this optician took 15 minutes of her time to adjust an old pair of glasses that had never really fit my face so that they look better than they ever did before. Since my visit, they haven't slipped down my face once. This used to happen 100 times a day. I can now wear the glasses again! And she didn't even charge for this service. So here is my 5* review .. read more

Once again, Karen took great care of my husband and I. We've been coming to her for decades and absolutely recommend her to you. Thank you, Karen! read more

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I brought in a really difficult pair of glasses for an adjustment, and they did an amazing and thorough job. After I sat on my pair, I initially got an adjustment at the place I actually bought the pair, but they didn't do a thorough enough job. My glasses (high index, high prescription, titanium frames) were sitting crooked on my face again. This place got to the root of the issue and now I can walk around and go about my business without discomfort! read more

TL;DR: Kind, patient, and competent service from Aimee, at a way better price than UC Berkeley's optometry office. The long version: After my sunglasses frame lost a screw, my first stop was the optometry office at the UC Berkeley Tang Center (I'm a grad student). They wanted $5 for a 2mm long screw, so I said I'd figure something else out. The guy at the counter recommended using a staple. Next stop was Dollar Tree, because I've seen eyeglass repair kits there in the past. Out of stock this time, although I almost bought a pair of tweezers for pulling out splinters. Then, Target/CVS. They don't carry the kits at all, which was disappointing because it's both Target AND CVS. What? That's when I searched for "optician near me" and The Optician came up. It was less than a block away, so what the hell, I walked over. It's in a tiny shady courtyard, inset from the sidewalk. I described my problem and the optician said she'd fix my glasses if I brought them in. "How much will it cost?" "Nothing." My brain nearly exploded from the instant surge of happiness. I brought my shades in the next day and Aimee fixed them in a few minutes, even dabbing clear nail polish over all the screws to keep them in place. If the quality of service I received as a non-paying customer reflects the quality of service for someone who actually has money, I can't imagine a better place to purchase glasses. Unfortunately, UC Berkeley's student insurance doesn't cover The Optician because they don't have an OD on staff, but after I get a real job, I will definitely get my next pair of glasses here! read more

The best. An enormous range of frames and styles and really extraordinary service.

I went with my wife to help her select new frames. Not only did the lovely proprietress help choose some fabulous new looks for her--she also happened to notice that my own frames were falling apart, and came up with a frame that exactly fit my existing lenses. Cost for my 'new' glasses including putting in my old lenses? A grand total of $50. A usually onerous chore (shopping for frames) made fun, a beauteous new purchase for my wife, and a falling-apart pair of glasses, unexpectedly given a new lease on life. I love this place! read more

I accidentally found this place and am so glad I did! The owner is such a sweet lady! Since the first day I walked in, she has be extremely helpful and informative. I feel she truly has my eye's best interest. A few weeks back before I bought my new pair of glasses, she adjusted them and cleaned them for me! After I put them back on, it seemed like I no longer needed a new pair. My subscription suggested otherwise,however. I like the one on one attention she gives me. Great customer service. I wish more eye glass businesses were this way. She carries a great selection of glasses, we tried glasses on for almost an hour. Will definitely be back! read more

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Such a wonderful experience, Karen is fabulous and spent an hour with us during a private appointment picking out the perfect pair of frames. Can't recommend her and the selection more! read more

I'm obsessive when it comes to finding the perfect pair of glasses. I have an eye disease that makes it very difficult and often painful to wear contacts, so I need my glasses to look great, fit well, and last. Karen is truly one of the best opticians I've encountered in seventeen years of eyeglass obsession. The collection of frames is well curated and most importantly, Karen is very skilled at finding frames that work best for your face. On this trip, we were shopping for my husband and found several pairs that he and I thought worked well for him. Karen pointed out several small details to consider about the frames we were looking at and, patiently worked to help us find a pair we would have both overlooked without her guidance. I honestly think the frames we ended with are the best pair my husband has owned in 15 years. If you find yourself at The Optician, I encourage you to let Karen guide you in finding your best frames. They might be different than you initially had in mind, but I guarantee they'll look excellent on you. read more

Absolutely best place to go. They are truly interested in your needs/wants not just your $$

Karen takes care of you. She makes sure your glasses fit well, adhere to your face, and don't slip off your nose. In addition, she is VERY keen on what styles fit the style of your face. What does everyone see every day? Your face! Karen makes sure that your face looks right. Go here, pay the coin, and get service that is unlike anything else in Berkeley, the Greater Bay Area, California, USA, or the world. Nobody does it better. read more

Karen is an absolute legend! I met Karen during my break at work and instantly fell in love with her quaint little shop and her genuine love for eyewear. I brought in a pair of Bausch and Lomb Rayban's from the 80's that needed a severe restoration due to a break in the bridge. Within the hour she came and surprised me with my sunglasses that were as good as new! The damage was severe and i did not expect much could be done; however, Karen worked her magic and far exceeded my expectations. I recommend anyone who is in need of some unique eyewear or anyone who is simply passing by to stop and take a look! read more

Karen has been my optician for years - since the early 2000s when she was working in SF. This review is long overdue! She's been the consummate professional with a great knowledge of optics and the latest eyewear. She KNOWS what frames look great and what frames don't. She KNOWS what size and shape frames can handle a thicker lens prescription and other prescription oddities. I've sought out Karen's recommendations and bought frames from her even when I lived in NY and Seattle. Her own shop, The Optician, is amazing. Such a great decor, wow! The "boutique" ambience is so inviting and friendly - absolutely a no pressure environment and with a down to earth vibe. Karen's known for being the go-to optician for those eye patients: (1) who have more complicated prescriptions (2) who've been to other opticians (and optometrists) without their eye care problems solved. I just bought 3 frames from her (2 Moscots and 1 Garrett Leight). After several visits with her (each time I drove an hour from the South Bay to Berkeley), I ended up picking these frames with her stellar input. She's wonderful to collaborate with. And she takes great pictures of me so I can see what I look like with the frames on (my eyesight is so bad). Highly worth it to visit Karen and experience a truly great, no pressure, optician. read more

I was stressed out because I accidentally stepped on my glasses and one of the lenses popped out of the frame and I am from out of town. After a quick search on Yelp, I found this place with 5 star reviews across the board. Karen quickly fixed the wire that previously held my lenses in place for no charge, I was in and out in like 5 minutes. I understand why The Optician is reviewed so highly and I will definitely be returning if something else happens and I am in need of a fix. -UC Berkeley Freshman read more