Insight Optical

I was desperate (upcoming trip) to fix a badly broken frame and was given the run-​around by a shop in dumbo and on Montague street. (No need to throw any names out)
I called these folks and was nicely told to come on in and see what could be done. Gil, who I assume is the owner joked with me that I did a good job on the frames (wrecked) and said he could salvage the lenses and they would call me back when a selection was in hand. 2 hours later, I came in and looked at 5 frames for a possible fit.
He charged me for the frames and could have gouged me for labor or other hidden costs I had no idea of. What a breath of fresh air in a world where people hang up on you if you’re not a pre existing client.
He’s got a client for life. Cannot recommend this shop any higher.

By far the best optometrist experience I have ever had. Called to make an appointment for a contact lens exam and was able to get in the very next day. They were extremely friendly and efficient, I was in and out in about 20 minutes. There were no attempts to push additional pointless procedures, no surprise charges, none of the typical stuff that makes me dread going to the optometrist. It was a $ 50 exam and, as a broke grad student, I can really appreciate that. As long as I’m living in NYC, this is the only place I’ll go for eye exams and lenses. Gil and his team are amazing!

I brought my 8 year old in today for his first pair of eyeglasses. Wow! We had already stopped in to a few well-​known, pricey boutiques in the hood where the fashionable shop assistants knew practically nothing about their product and made no efforts to show us any options (we got the standard «let me know if see something you like». We walked into Insight as recommended by the my son’s ophthalmologist and were blown away by the size of the selection and the level of service. Gil took the time to check my son’s prescription, showed us a bunch of options that would work for him and hooked us up with some cool frames for half the price I would have paid elsewhere… and they’ll be ready for us tomorrow. I had almost forgotten what honest, old-​fashioned service feels like. Thanks, Gil.

I’m sad to read the negative reviews but as far as opening hours and eating lunches are concerned: Get Over It. In a neighborhood of skyrocketing rents and hipster only businesses and overpriced food markets be happy a «real» business exists here. Contacts and eye exams, I have been a patron for years and it pays off. They have been in business through it all. Gil Purisch and his staff are very kind and helpful. With all the other overpriced eye salons just stick with the basics and come here: support local business.

I’ve worn eye glasses for many years now. I started with Insight Optical last year and I am back again this year. I highly recommend Insignt Optical without reservation! Gil is knowledgeable about his craft, gracious and patient in his style and guarantees his work. The office is modest yet welcoming and he has a wonderful staff. One more thing — great selection of frames. If he doesn’t have the frame you want, I’m sure he would make every effort to get it for you.

I have been going here for years and Gil is truly the best. I have stopped by numerous times to get my glasses tighten or refitted. Gil always helps me out and does it with a smile.
He is such a professional and he knows he’s craft.
I have told all my friends to go to him and they loved him.
Do not spend your time and money going to a Cohen’s or Len’s Crafters.
Gil is honest, reliable, and a true gentleman.

I have gone to Insight Optical for almost twenty years and worn glasses all my life. That is from age three to sixty-​eight. This shop provides the best service and the most refined product I have ever been able to find. Gil is a very knowledgable optician and an able hand at suggesting the best frames for your look. As an actor, that matters to me. They are fast and efficient as well. I also paint and write which means that I need glasses that allow me to see fine detail and color. If you want the best assistance with your vision, this is the shop to visit. It’s a genuine pleasure.
S. Hart
Brooklyn

Terrible service.
We went here two Saturdays ago at lunch time — my fiancé needs new glasses. The two ladies in there were so rude — they were eating lunch at the tables so the whole store smelled, and didn’t stop eating or say anything when we came in. They acted as though it was an inconvenience that we were there. When we did have a question, they told us to «wait a moment» while they finished their conversation and didn’t offer any amount of detail or help. We left pretty quickly — bad experience.
There are some much better stores in the neighborhood — don’t bother with this one.

This is a great optometrist. They get your contacts to you quickly and are super helpful. I would definitely recommend them!

Insight is just terrific. Gil is an optician’s optician – it’s rare to find such professionalism and phenomenal customer service, but you will at Insight. I will only get my family’s glasses there from now on. Thanks to my fellow Unilocalers for the spot-​on reviews about this gem of a store!

Gil Purish just rode to my rescue. I was visiting my sister in Carroll Gardens with plans to drive back and my eyeglass frames lost a screw and the lens fell out. I went online and found the highest rated optician in the area (thanks Unilocal). I called the place and Gil answered and said come right on in. I am now sitting at the local coffee shop with fixed frames (new screw and much improved fitting too). I am stopping to immediately give top marks and sing Gil’s praises. Amazingly he was not even going to charge anything, but I insisted on a donation for him to at least get a coffee with his assistant. Good karma and I encourage everyone to go. I see on reviews that Gil has been there over 30 years so has seen major changes in the neighborhood. It makes me feel good to see that a great small business owner like Gil can thrive as the world evolves around them. Keep up the good work!

moved far away, wouldn’t go anywhere else. Honest, reasonable and kind people with great prices. Gil made my glasses 3 years ago and they still fit and work perfectly. I have my contact lens prescription refilled every few months and the prices are exactly the same as a chain or online delivery service.

I am so thankful to have found Gil and Maria. Both of them provide absolutely excellent service, all at an unbeatable price. Without insurance, I was unable to get new glasses for almost 5 years, until I found Insight. Gil is friendly and bends over backwards to assist you, and always remembers your name. Maria, though seems to have a tough exterior, is incredibly sweet and knowledgeable. Insight Optical is THE BEST!

Gil is the best optician I’ve gone to in 35 years of wearing glasses. I am extremely near-​sighted — minus 8.5 with astigmatism — and I won’t trust store chains and online vendors with my prescription. I first came to Gil’s shop five or so years ago on the recommendation of a coworker and I haven’t gone to anyone else since. And not only does Gil make a perfect pair of eyeglasses, but he also offers the best value I’ve found in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I’m looking forward to wearing the pair he’s making for me now.

I couldn’t agree more with all the accolades that this store, and it’s owner and employees have received. I have been a client of Gillie’s for over 15 years and I don’t mind the schlep from Roosevelt Island to Court Street knowing that I’m getting the best attention that NYC offers. Gil’s attention to detail is exemplary but what makes the experience so very special is that he really cares about his clients.
The very best!
Joel

I just realized that I’ve been doing business with Gil for [gulp] 31 YEARS. And I’m only 41! He fitted me with my very first pair of glasses when I was 10yo and getting beaned by every fly ball in Little League. His shop was Spectacles then, on the corner of President and 7^th. «Mem’ries…»
Gill and his staff have always been awesome. Friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about their products in ways you just don’t see anymore. Their selection of styles and brands is pretty comprehensive — lots of Scandinavian names you couldn’t even begin to pronounce. And Gil always seems to be introducing me to the latest materials they’re using to craft frames. 15 years ago it was Titanium frames that could be tied into knots and never break; today i sport Carbon Fiber horn rims with a hint of tortoise shell that are easily the lightest pair of glasses I’ve ever worn. My nose and sinus cavity are pleased.

This is the best optician I’ve ever been to. They’re honest, with a bit of an old school feel and keep prices super reasonable.
You are there to get an eye exam first and foremost– and that feels good. Because really, going to an optician shouldn’t feel like your in a retail store: eyes first, this place is professional and simple.
Don’t be put off by the small neighborhood casual feel– just slow down and appreciate the rarity of being treated honestly and not sold to.

I love this place! Gil and the optometrist were great — very informative and all around pleasant! I paid $ 160.00 in total ($ 50.00 for the eye exam and $ 110 for anti-​reflective lenses (I kept my old frames)). I don’t have vision insurance, so going to Insight Optical was the best and most affordable option for me. Great quality and a stress-​free experience, I’ll definitely be coming back!

I took my Nina Ricci sunglasses (a sentimental gift from my mother) here to be repaired after the hinge screw mysteriously vanished. I chose this particular eyeglass shop based on some of the previous Unilocal reviews and was not disappointed — the exact opposite, in fact. I had felt a little embarrassed to be asking this highly trained professional to help me with such a (seemingly) simple repair, but he (Gil, I believe) was very friendly and did not act put-​upon in the least. He confirmed that the repair was simple and went in the back to fix it. In the meantime, I looked around the sophisticated little shop and found the wide selection of eyeglass frames to be both very stylish and well-​organized (by price and brand).
Gil reemerged with my sunglasses about 5 minutes later and the quietly wished me a pleasant day while waving away the cash I had in my hand while standing in line to pay. How sweet! I had also heard him tell a customer who had called before I approached the counter that, although they were about to close shop for evening, he would stay on a bit longer to help him/​her with whatever assistance he/​she had called to obtain. Awesomely generous, this guy.
I would give this shop 6 stars if I could and *highly* recommend to fellow New Yorkers!

Gil is a glasses-​slinging Mr. Rogers with a wry sense of humor. The doctor who conducted my eye exam was thoughtful, thorough, and patient. I got some sample contacts to wear for a few days while they waited for my order to come in (it came two days after my appointment). I won’t be ordering from 1800-​Contacts anymore – it’s much easier and nicer to order from Insight, to stop by and say hi to Gil. And it’s essentially the same price. I paid $ 50 for my eye exam and then a month’s supply of Dailies was $ 32 ($ 45ish for my astigmatic eye).
Didn’t find any frames I liked, but I’m glad to know there are places like this and people like Gil in my community.