Since opening in Annapolis in 1967, this second-generation family business has made and fitted prescription eyewear through its own in-house lab. Annapolis Opticians combines computerized lens cutting with hands-on finishing by certified opticians, while providing comprehensive eye exams on site with Dr. Emily O’Meara. The shop says its experience spans more than 50 years of two-family-generation craftsmanship.
Williams Eye WorksStaten Island native Chris Williams turned a teenage start in optical work into Williams Eye Works, a family-owned optical shop serving the borough since 1995. Its licensed opticians and optometrists handle complex prescriptions and eye exams, while an in-house lab cuts and inspects lenses on site for quick turnaround. The shop is also known for its unusual attention to fit, including low-bridge eyewear and prescription-ready smart glasses.STATEN ISLAND, NY
Select OpticalFounded in 1963 from a small house-based practice, Columbus-based Select Optical makes prescription eyewear through its optical laboratory for independent optometrists, opticians, vision-care plans, and businesses needing safety glasses. The company has grown from 10 employees to 115, while skilled craftspeople still handle much of the hands-on work, including fitting lenses into frames. Select Optical serves Ohio and surrounding states as well as customers nationwide.COLUMBUS, OH
Carnation OpticalCarnation Optical is an independent, family-owned optical shop in Alliance that provides eye exams, eyewear and contact lenses, with an in-house lab for crafting lenses and handling repairs. Serving the community for more than 40 years, the business grew from Dr. Ken Leonard’s 1984 shop into a family venture led by John Fussell, with multiple generations of the Fussell family involved. Its opticians offer personalized fitting and adjustments, while the on-site lab enables faster turnaround than shops that send work away.ALLIANCE, OH
Perfect OpticalFounded in 1978 by Sam and Anna Motchkin, Perfect Optical is a New York-area optical laboratory that makes and finishes prescription lenses for eye-care professionals. The company has grown from a stock house into a full-service lab with in-house digital surfacing, anti-reflective coating, and finishing, while retaining a focus on personalized service and same-day turnaround for many orders. Israel Motchkin now leads the business, carrying forward its family-founded customer-care approach.NEW YORK, NY