Studio Optix

I just moved to New York and needed a new eye doctor, and Studio Optix was part of VSP's network. Dr. Cassel was very nice and even asked me questions about myself during the exam, which was unexpected since they seemed so busy. I opted for the new testing so I didn't have to be dilated, which was very convenient because I had to go back to work. My optician helped me find a great pair of glasses and definitely a style I wouldn't have been able to pick out on my own. more

Recently I noticed my vision going wacky and I decided it was time to take some action. My coworker referred me to Studio Optix, where I saw Dr. Mitch Cassel last week. I was very impressed with his knowledge and attentiveness to my concerns. The rest of the staff was incredibly warm and when I went back to pick up my glasses today, 2 of them greeted me BY NAME! You can tell that they go above and beyond to make their customers feel great. I LOVE my new glasses (by Anne et Valentin) and will definitely be back for prescription sunglasses when the weather gets warmer. It's rare you feel this taken care of, but the level of excellence at Studio Optix drew me to make my first city search review. more

I had a speck of something that I couldn't get out of my eye, so I stopped into StudioOptix to see if the eye doctor could look at it. I warned Dr. Cassel that I'm squeamish about someone touching my eye, and at first he seemed really understanding--but when he came at me with a wet Q-tip and I flinched, he seemed to quickly lose his temper. After two tries with a Q-tip, without telling me, he reached for a long, sharp, needle-like metal tool (it looked like a dental instrument--not anything I'd ever seen at an eye doc's). Of course, when I saw it, I said I didn't want that thing going in me. That's when he threw it down and YELLED at me: ""You're being immature! I don't need a patient telling me what I can and can't do--you can find someone else to deal with you!"" and stormed out of the exam room. Since he'd really scared me about what could happen if I left the speck in my eye, I didn't know what to do--he wouldn't work on me, but I knew it needed to come out, so I got really scared and burst into tears. A nice woman who worked there rushed in to console me and defend Dr. Cassel, but when she brought him in again 10 minutes later, he continued to yell at me (this time in front of the entire store), ""You clearly don't appreciate my help, and you've got yourself all worked up! You can go wait for three hours at Manhattan Eye & Ear for them to remove it. Goodbye."" In short, I left in tears because he was aggressive and unprofessional. (My regular eye doctor was able to remove the speck the next day wit just a saline rinse....) The doctor called me the next day to apologize and say he got upset because he had other customers waiting and it was a Friday afternoon, and offered for me to come back again. Um, not if you offered me a million bucks, dude. more

I've made my comments under ""Unprofessional & Rude."" more

I'm a long-time patient/client of Dr. Cassel and Studio Optix and there's a reason I've been with them for so long. Not only is the location super convenient (in Rockefeller Center), but more importantly they are above and beyond when it comes to my eye care and eyewear. Dr. Cassel is hands down the best optometrist around. He is thorough and great at addressing my concerns. They upgraded to a gorgeous new space next to where they were for many years, and their collection of glasses is out of this world!! Sandy and Dawn are the go-to women when it comes to finding the perfect frames. more

Long time patient of Dr. Cassel's and went in this week, only to be wowed by their new space. They moved a few doors down and built a beautiful new store. For those who may have been there before, they did a lot with a very tiny space, but now there's breathing room. Congrats to them. They deserve a successful new chapter as they've always gone out of their way to help me out. more

STAY AWAY!! Extremely unfriendly and unprofessional staff - i recieved my trial contacts and werent happy with them. I called them 4 times and everytime I recieved a ""we will call you back"" response which never happened. I finally had to drop by to get help! If you dont want to be frustrated move onto a different place more

I have been to a few eye doctors and optometric offices over the years because I have really bad vision. Thought I would take the time to give Studio Optix a very positive comment because of the excellent service and eye care I received. Dr. Cassel is amazing , and so is the entire staff.!! They took my insurance and I was well aware of the out of pocket expense if I wanted additional testing(very impressive ,progressive high tech office). They have an unbelievable selection of frames,which the staff helped to select and make it very easy.I love the eyeglasses and Love Studio Optix...and I will definitely be back!! more

I am a 1st time wearer of glasses and finding the right pair for my face was important. I went to a few places in NYC, but this by far was the best place because they have overall a wide variety of unique frames. I get a lot of compliments wearing my new frames. more

I went here b/c they are supposed to have an awesome frame selection, and are in my VSP network. However the frames are all in drawers, making it hard to browse. A staff member was hovering over me, not letting me open the drawers on my own. When I asked to try on frames, I felt like it was an inconvenience. I asked if there were any frames in bold, unconventional colors...I was told that the store ""needed to keep up to date in color choices."" In other words, I was asking for frames not in style... I've seen lots of frames in those colors on stylish New Yorkers recently. more

I have had a dry and red eyes problem for a few months now. I mentioned it to Dr. Cassel during my last visit. He was very patient with me and took the time to explain the problem. He then recommended a special drop and to switch from contacts to glasses. Its been a couple of days now, and my eyes don't feel irritated anymore. So I would say I had a great experience with Dr. Cassel. His staff was very friendly as well. They helped me find a great pair of glasses that fit my face shape. I was a never an eyeglass person, but the pair they selected for me makes me feel really comfortable wearing glasses all day now. I highly recommend them. Pros: Pleasant comfortable shopping experience Cons: I didn't have any problems more

I never bother to review ANYTHING online, yet my dealings with these rude, dismissive people have been so awful that I have to speak up--every time I have to call them they are brusque, officious and rude. I finally asked to change my prescription to another optical store and they were incredibly nasty even in that process. DON'T PUT YOURSELF THROUGH THIS! Cons: attitude, attitude, attitude 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.\r \r 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. \r \r 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. \r \r 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!!! Pros: Patient and talented staff 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. \r \r 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. Pros: Would bend over backwards for patients more

I got glasses from them a year ago. I went back to get a new pair of glasses this year. You have to wait forever for someone to come help you. They don't like you to look around by yourself. The women who wait on you are so incredibly rude. They have no personality, they make you feel like you are really imposing on them to try on any frames. They have such attitude, they are despicable. It's unbelievable that a store could stay in business with such a lack of customer service. I will NEVER buy glasses from them again. Nobody deserves to be treated with such lack of respect. Also, I asked the price of a Face a Face brand frame there. it was $630. I have seen the same exact frame at 4 other stores for $495-515. Studio Optix is crazy to mark things up so high. I guess the tourists at Rock Center shop there and don't care, but if you live in New York you should know better than to ever give them your business. They don't deserve any stars but the lowest rating is one star. Pros: Convenient location Cons: Extraordinarily rude and overpriced more

his email or calls, his staff worker Sandy will do the same. I was fitted for custom contacts a few days ago when I got home I was a bit confused because I felt Sandy order the size lens different then what Dr Cassel agreed on. When email them asking to please email me or call me before going through with my order. They never bothered to email or call me back. I decided to give Dr a call early this morning at 8 am because he would be in very early today. He picked up the phone upset and rude with me because I had emailed him once and then a second time to mention I had gotten a eye infection from trying on all the contacts in his office. To him I was pestering him and did not have the time to answer any of my questions ( his words ) not mine. He went on to let me know he opened his office today for a special patient and not to answer my questions. He then told me since I had emailed him I would be a difficult patient and he felt I would be a pain once my contacts come in I would always find something to complain about weather it would be the color not right or the lenses too big or too small etc. I asked him why would he talk to me this way when I had never complained about the color of the contacts but was confused because Sandy did not agree on the size lens as he did when I was at his office and I felt she went with her own choice and choose the smaller lens. I just wanted to be sure this was what dr agreed on and not only Sandy. I asked him since it was him who was refusing to go ahead with my order after I had deposit $ 940 . that I should be entitle to a full refund including the $250 for exam he told me I would not get that money back because I have wasted his time. How did I waste his time when I never canceled my order. but instead wanted to know if the proper lens size were ordered because Sandy did not agree on same lens from what she had told me and was going to order a smaller size which was the lens on my right eye. I should be refunded the entire amount dont you agree? The Dr and sandy were the ones who decided to cancel my order not myself. anyway I was not only offended by Cassels tone with me this morning but I was very hurt and was in tears after, in disbelief how a Dr who is suppose to be so professional treat a patient like they are nothing! His office is not only tiny but they only have a chair that can seat 2 people at a time the rest have to stand. They do not have a bathroom for their patients. I asked if they did because I needed to clean my nose and Sandy said no to use tissue at the table where I was trying on contacts. I said I do not b@@@ my nose in front of others because it is not only disgusting but embarrassing to me. they will not answer your emails or calls and if you call them more then once you will be considered a pain in the a@@ and maybe they will cancel your order.Dr Cassel shame on you and your staff! they are rude not friendly with the people. Only friendly one was Awilda young spanish girl in front desk! the rest just stare. Pros: Dr is caring while you're at his office Cons: if you have any questions concerns he will not answer more

I have trouble giving Studio Optix even one star. Our family has been a longtime customer of this store and yet treated in the most unprofessional way. They do not stand behind their products. My Husband had the arm to his eyeglasses break twice in the same spot during the warranty period. Yet they would not assist in any manner and wanted to charge twice the amount they quoted on the first repair to make the second repair. This is not the first problem we have had with their products. We will never buy anything from them again and can not recommend Studio Optix! Pros: good looking frames Cons: they do not stand behind their prodcuts more

This place kind of blew my mind. It is a tiny shop, but great utilization of work space and merchandise. I highly recommend this place for selecting frames because of the unique finds that you are not likely to find anywhere else in the US Pros: Best selection of Frames more

I would recommend this store for people who are serious about eyewear. This is by far the best place in NYC for glasses. The doctor was very thorough and apparently is highly seeked in the movie industry. I felt special going there and even better picking out my glasses because I get so many compliments Pros: Best Optical Finds in NYC more

I highly recommend this optical store for all fashionistas. I love to walk around the city trying to find unique fashion pieces and items that are precious and rare. I was so happy to found this optical store. I was amazed by the selection and the knowledgeable staff at this small place. The one staff member who was helping me quickly clued in to what I liked and served up the frames and we were able to pick one that was best suited for my looks. I picked up the glasses a few weeks ago and have been getting compliments from family, friends and people stopping me on the streets. I feel like a winner wearing these glasses!!!!\r Thank you Studio Optix!!!!!!!\r more