Union Square Optical

Summary: This place is terrible, don't go. See pictures of my current vs what they tried to give me (almost the same script) I have been coming here since 2021, and I have consistently come every year since. I want to start by saying this review is not for Dr. Louis Sarantakos but for the office staff and my experience. Dr. Louis Sarantakos has always been great, and I would recommend him if he wasn't working here. On January 8th, I came in for my annual review. I got my appointment time mixed up, and they were able to accommodate me by allowing me to see Dr. Jean Louis. While Jean was nice, he didn't listen very well. I explained my vision was still blurry, and I didn't think the prescription he recorded was correct, but I got met with, "Well, that's the best you're going to get." I have been wearing glasses for 25/27 years of my life, and I am aware that I won't have 20/20 vision, but I also know when a prescription is off. I then went on to purchase a new pair of frames/lenses. Due to my insurance, I ended up paying $756 out of pocket, and let me explain later how I was not told an honest price. On January 16th, I came in to pick up my glasses, which were in rough shape. The prescription was wrong, and one of the women told me just to wear it for a week or two, even though I explained it was blurry. On top of that, I ordered a high index of 1.74, and the glasses had a lens bludging out through the side. I explained this was unacceptable, especially after paying $569 for lenses before my $170 discount. Marc, who is truly rude, then finds 101 excuses as to why he cut them the way he did. He asked to see the glasses I was currently wearing, and to his surprise, they were the same size, so his excuses quickly started to die down. I said since I won't accept these glasses, I would like my eyes rechecked, and then we can send them out again. On January 17th, I went to see Dr. Louis Sarantakos for my follow-up appointment to have my eyes rechecked. It was no surprise that he said the prescription I was provided was not the same one he was getting. On January 24th, I was told my glasses were ready at 3:10 PM. I arrived at the location at 5:15 PM, and I think you can see where this is going; they were not ready. Trying to look on the bright side, I started looking at another pair of frames I was considering buying. In that process, I asked the young man helping me how much lenses would cost me out of pocket for all the things I wanted on them, and he quoted me $400 out of pocket and no use of insurance, so how is it that initially I was charged $569 before my insurance? This is when I knew this business was not running ethically anymore. Then, here comes Marc, who brings over my glasses with the glass still bludging out and says, "That's the best you're going to get." Marc was even great enough to get a ruler to build his case as to why, but again, it was just empty excuses. I asked what my options were because I refused to take these glasses, and they said to get another frame to me, I just need to pay an additional $62 for the new frames on top of the $756 already paid due to the fact they already filed the insurance claim (this was a lie as I called the insurance and they only filed a claim on the exam and nothing else). To tie this all together, I said I wanted a refund, and they said no, you either take the glasses or get a new frame. I stated I would call the credit card and dispute this charge, and the young woman said, "Okay, do it." I hope you have learned my personality by now. I immediately called my credit card and insurance companies to report what was happening. I also emailed USO to let them know that since this all happened, I was reporting it. Within five minutes of that email, Marc called me. He said, "I am going to refund you and email you a copy of your medical records, and I think it's best you find somewhere else to go." What I find crazier is that he thought I would never go back, especially as long as he was there. I would recommend no one go. Story ended... If you think about going, don't.

Just came over for a repair from Marc Rosen. I had a metal frame that had a lens popped out and the optician was able to fix it fairly quick and he did a great job. No complaints here, thank you!

Good doctors but the bearded front desk guy is something else. Here is a list of things we experienced with him. 1) gave us incorrect coverage information. He wanted us to pay $39 for contact lens’s test even though it was covered. When I challenged him on it, he claimed his colleague did not update my old insurance. Mind you, I have never used insurance at this place. Conveniently, threw his coworker under the bus. 2) did not register my husband’s appointment even thought my husband made that appointment right in front of me. Thankfully, there were openings so he was able to maintain his “scheduled” appointment. 3) had to submit multiple request for prescription copy. Each time we called to follow up, this dude would claim it was sent. 4) what he ended up sending eventually was an old prescription from 2022. When called, he kept arguing it was the correct prescription. Finally, one of the ladies upfront resolved it in a sec. Incompetence is a word that comes to mind. I have used this optician over the years and my experience has always been positive. This is my first time dealing with this bearded guy and it has been anything but positive. Just now, I called to speak to the one of the ladies upfront. I had a question and the last thing I wanted to do was to waste my time with this guy. At first, he told me she was at lunch at 2:30PM. When I followed up at 4:30PM, he wouldn’t connect me to her. He kept me on hold. Employee of the century.

The team at USO were absolutely amazing. I walked in while they were ending their day, yet they took the time to assist me with a smile ( which is rare in NYC) . Id recommend USO for anyone who has optical / eyeglass needs. Great job team!!

Huge thanks to the team for their incredible speed and craftsmanship. The attention to detail and quality of work exceeded expectations. Shoutout to John for his excellent service and to the optometrist for a thorough and professional exam. Highly recommend for anyone looking for top-notch care and efficiency! Also a great selection of frames.