Grand Central Optical

Note: Federal law requires that you are provided with a copy of your eyeglasses prescription at the end of your exam and a copy of your contacts lens at the end of your fitting, regardless of whether you ask. Of course, Grand Central Optical doesn’t comply with the law because they want you to think you need to buy glasses/​contacts through them. Considering you can find much better prices for both online and elsewhere in NY, I highly recommend getting your prescription from them and going elsewhere. I’m all for supporting a business if they treat customers right, but this place doesn’t.
Honestly, this place is just straight up shady. I booked an appointment through ZocDoc with Dr. Ann Nguyen, but I was seen by a completely different doctor (who never introduced himself by name). I was never given any explanation for the change, but if you look at Unilocal and ZocDoc reviews, it appears to be a common practice. In essence, then, you can’t vet your eye doctor beforehand because you have no idea who it will be. This practice becomes even more fishy when I noticed they billed my insurance using the name of the doctor who I didn’t see. That especially makes me question the qualifications of the doctor I actually saw; why wouldn’t they bill using his name? Regardless, this is insurance fraud.
Additionally, without belaboring this review with details of my initial conversations with them, the staff completely misrepresented my insurance coverage to me. Initially, one woman told me my co-​pay would be $ 10, but at the end of the exam, another person told me it would instead be $ 140. When I informed him that’s not what his colleague told me, his colleague became demonstrative, half-​yelling across the room that she had gone over my coverage with me. Simply put, she was lying. Ultimately, the man agreed to charge me $ 10, but only after this woman made me feel like a criminal instead of taking ownership for her error. I left the store, but realized I forgot the lens solution they gave me, so I went back in to retrieve it. All of the staff turns and stares at me when I walk through the door, not uttering a word to me while I retrieved the lens solution. It was just weird. Finally, I reviewed my insurance plan with my insurer after I came home, and if they considered a contact lens fitting to be worth $ 140 (which is absurd), then my liability would have been $ 35, not $ 140.
Please don’t go here. It just felt like a really slimy place, based on the above. There are many better options in NYC.

I purchased a pair of glasses and was told they would be ready within 7 – 10 days. I was counting on this as I was heading out of the country in a couple weeks. It took two weeks for the glasses to be ready and when I called on the 11^th day after my visit, the man I talked to was very rude and insinuated that it was my fault. You’re much better off at Warby Parker.

Super fast as advertised. I went on for an exam at 2:30pm and I got a call that my two pairs of glasses were ready at 6:30pm! Maybe not the largest selection, but the speed and service (all with a smile) was worth it. Will definitely use again.

Grand Central Optical is a fantastic place to get your eyes checked and pick up a stylish new pair of specs. They have two locations, on Madison and 46^th and in Grand Central Terminal. Between the two, they carry just about every snazzy brand of rims you could ever need. The staff is super nice and friendly, and will be honest in helping you pick a pair that look good for your individual features.
They take many insurances, so don’t be afraid to call them with any questions you may have. They couldn’t be nicer or more helpful. Enjoy!

I would definitely recommend coming here to anyone I know. Grand Central Optical has everything you could possibly need for eye care. The staff was extremely helpful and answered all the questions I had about their products. I was also able to see an optometrist while I was there who was able to prescribe me both contacts and glasses that i was able to pick up later in the week. The frame selection was also expansive. They had frames varying in shape and size and color and designer, making the options endless while having a frame forting fr every face and personality. I will definitely be coming back here in the future to serve all my optical needs!

I have been going here for 3 years now and I love it. I like the doctors I see and in fact, one finally diagnosed my astigmatism after the optometrist my general doctor recommended told me I was crazy last year when I complained that my vision was still blurry. They also have a great selection of frames and I buy all of my eyewear here, including prescription sunglasses and non prescription and contacts which are always ready same or next day. I even have my husband going here now and we bought both of his prescription glasses (sun and regular) here too. I highly recommend this place.

I have been a customer of Grand Central Optical for more than 15 years now.
It is an AMAZING place and I recommend none other. I purchase EVERYTHING from Grand Central Optical — progressive eyeglasses, readers, contact lenses, and sunglasses. The staff is so professional and helpful, but more importantly, honest. They just know by looking at your face what is best suited for you.
The eye doctors are exceptional. I personally owe much gratitude to Dr. Block as he saved my eyesight! He noticed I had an optic nerve issue, which I looked into and have seen been diagnosed with glaucoma. Thankfully, it is being treated but if not for Dr. Block I never would have known.
My main concern is where will I go when I retire out of New York in a few years? I trust no one except Grand Central Optical’s staff and doctors.
The Madison Ave location is at 369 Madison (between East 45^th-​46^th Sts) but my personal favorite is the Grand Central location, Lexington Passage. Greg and his staff are EXCEPTIONAL. I highly recommend GCO for all of you vision needs. You will not be disappointed.
Carol V, New York

I’ve never written a positive review, but I’ve had so many positive experiences here that I had to. This is the only place I come to get my eye exams and to buy sunglasses. The staff here at grand central optical are AMAZING. I come all the way from Queens to get my eyes checked because everyone is so friendly. I have at least five different pair of sunglasses all from this store and the best part is that not one person on this staff will lie to you and tell you something looks good on you if it doesn’t. Scott, who works there, never hesitates to tell me «those are too big, maybe try something like this». You have to appreciate that kind of honesty. I would definitely recommend coming here for all of your optic needs, whether it’s for contacts, prescription glasses, or sunglasses. You won’t be disappointed… I know I haven’t been!

I’ve been coming here for a couple of years for my annual eye exam and contacts refill. The doctor is great and the staff is very friendly. I’ll be a customer as long as I’m in the area!

Very easy to make an appointment and no long waits. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I was in and out for my appointment in about 20 minutes.
These guys are great!

Many thanks to the gentleman with a beard and glasses who fixed my crooked eye glasses for free, and I didn’t even buy them there! Thanks for the good business! I’d be back in a heartbeat.

Grand Central Optical is the best optical store in NYC. The people there are very nice, knowledgeable and deliver a quality product. I highly recommend them.

I have been a customer of Grand Central Optical for years. Even after relocating from the New York Area I have often sent my old glasses there with my new prescriptions.
Why? They have better optical quality than any other company I have used, including small private offices.
My prescription is very difficult to get right, as I’m very astigmatic and near sighted. Of course this is complicated as I get older and need progressive lenses. If even the base curve is off or the prescription is off by the slightest bit, it still meets ansi standards but they won’t work for me. Grand Central Optical has consistently filled my prescriptions, not just by ansi standards but with amazing optical quality.
When I can return to New York City I love to go in there. While I have a very hard time finding glasses that fit me, as my eye brows are low and usually show in most glasses, their staff are experts in picking out modern stylish frames that fit me and look good. I notice that their optical employees work there for years.
Of course, you can go to a «schlock house» and get cheaper glasses, they may meet ansi standards, but Grand Central Optical gets my difficult prescriptions right on and uses cutting edge optical products.
In the rare situation where it’s not perfect, even when it was not their fault and my prescription changed, they always made sure my needs were met.
I recommend Grand Central Optical if you want superior optics and style.

No long waits, easy to make an appt., very attentive and fun staff, excellent frame selections (a little pricey but hi quality), convenient location, and a thorough, informative eye exam.
They did it all right.
Compared to that gypsy-​run Cohen’s, GCO is the Ritz Carlton of optical purveyors.

I called today to ask if they carried a pair of D&G glasses that I am looking for. The woman on the phone was short with me and incredibly rude.
I was planning on glasses shopping near Grand Central after work, and will be going to Cohen’s at 42^nd and Madison instead. I called them after to ask if they would honor a discount I’d just missed, and they said, of course! Now that’s customer service.
Sorry GC Optical, you had me saying no when your sales lady didn’t say hello!

Got a real hoity toity vibe from the European lady that works there.

The best thing I can say about Grand Central Optical thtat is located in Grand Central is that they do have a large selection of stylish frames and if they don’t have in stock what you’re looking for, they will order it for you. They are much more expensive than other Opticals, however, even with the 20% discount they might give you under certain circumstances.

I made an appointment online to see a specific doctor at Grand Central Optical. When I arrived, they told me that the doctor was on vacation for the week and that I would be seen by the on-​call doctor. I was not pleased with this bait and switch. They should not have advertised availability for a specific doctor online if they knew they would not be available.
Further, they called the day before to confirm my appointment and still did not mention this detail to me.
The front office staff was rather brisk and not very friendly.
The worst part of the experience however was the on-​call doctor, who although was polite and seemed patient, dismissed my comments when I said my eyes had gotten worse despite her saying my eyes and prescription had not changed in the last 4 years.
I tried to explain to her that even nearby objects that I used to be able to see clearly were now blurred and she said it was in my head.
Unsatisfied with her reasoning, I went to another optometrist who lo’ and behold, told me that my left eye had gotten worse.

I agree with the first reviewer in that you should NOT go here. The owner is greedy, saying he will give you a discount and then does not. I first came here becuase my father had been going for 20 years and it was close to work. I asked the guy if he would give a deal if I got both eyeglasses and sunglasses and he said «yes of course! don’t worry we will take care of you we want to keep our customers.» After I picked out a very expensive pair of eyeglasses the owner proceeded to sell me on the anti smudge and anti scratch telling me that I need the best and that the insurance doesn’t cover any of it, which isn’t true. And then he convinced me to also get perscription sunglasses since my insurance offered a discount. I asked the owner about the discount for buying two pairs and his response was «oh well that was when I thought you didn’t have insurance, you can afford it now.»
I found out later that the pair he sold me were sold at Cohen’s Opitcal for half the price and that the model I bought was discontinued, which is why it’s so cheap now becuase they are trying to get rid of the pair.
A few months later I lost my eyeglasses so I needed a new pair and asked the guy if he would give me a deal and again he said «yes of course don’t worry we will take care of you, i’ll give you a 20% discount.» I asked about the insurance and then he said «oh right you have insurance and they will cover you so expect to pay the same as before, and I said, plus the 20%? and he again says «oh no the 20% was when I thought you didn’t have insurance, but since you have insurance you’re fine.»
This place is not interested in keeping their customers and giving people a deal. I do not recommend this place and my father who went there for 20 years is no longer going there either becuase they rip you off!

I came in here this week to get a new perscription for glasses and contacts, and to get new glasses.
I’m in shock at the first reviewers experience, and that anyone could give this place one-​star. Everyone was super friendly, the doctor was great, and she was very patient and gave me great advice on contacts and glasses.
The man that helped me with the frames was really patient as well. I have Davis Vision, and he helped advise on what would be the most bang for my buck, and helped me pick out lenses and frames.
Love my glasses! They were quick to arrive, and I’ll certainly go back here. Awesome place, convenient location, good selection, great optometrist.