Same Day Glasses in Brooklyn — Get Your Glasses Ready Today
If you need glasses today, Nostrand Optical in Crown Heights can have them ready the same day for most standard prescriptions. No week-long wait, no leaving without eyewear — just a full eye exam, a current prescription, and glasses you can walk out with.
A lot of Brooklyn residents don't realize that's even an option. Most people assume getting new glasses means dropping off their order and coming back days later. At our office at 1018C Nostrand Ave, that's not how it works for most patients. If you need new glasses fast, whether your old pair broke, your prescription has changed, or you've just been putting it off, Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD can see you, update your prescription, and get your glasses made the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Nostrand Optical offers same day glasses for most standard prescriptions — single vision, and many bifocal and progressive lenses
- You'll need a current prescription, which means an eye exam if yours is expired or outdated
- Same day glasses are available for both new and existing patients in Crown Heights and surrounding neighborhoods
- Dr. Shlivko performs the exam and helps you select frames from our in-office collection, including designer options
- We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance plans — same day service doesn't cost extra
Why Same Day Glasses Matter for Brooklyn Patients
Life doesn't wait for your glasses to arrive. If your frames broke on the train, your prescription changed at your last exam, or you've been squinting at screens for months and finally decided to do something about it, waiting a week for new glasses just isn't practical.
That's especially true if you're working, driving, or have kids in school. Blurry vision isn't just inconvenient — it can affect your ability to do your job, read, or get around safely in a city like New York.
For patients coming in from Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Flatbush, or Bed-Stuy, same day glasses at Nostrand Optical means you can take care of your vision without planning around a multi-day turnaround. Walk in, get your exam, choose your frames, and leave with glasses that work.
If you're ready to get started, book an appointment with Dr. Shlivko — same day glasses are available for most patients when you come in during regular office hours.
What "Same Day Glasses" Actually Means
Same day glasses means your lenses are cut, fitted, and assembled in-office while you wait, or at minimum, ready for pickup the same day you come in. It's not a gimmick — it's a function of having the right equipment and lens inventory on site.
At Nostrand Optical, same day service is available for most standard prescriptions. That covers:
- Single vision lenses — the most common type, used for either distance or near vision
- Most bifocal lenses — traditional lined bifocals for patients who need both distance and reading correction
- Many progressive lenses — no-line bifocals that transition between distances without visible lines
Whether same day service is available for your specific prescription depends on a few factors: your lens power, whether you need specialty coatings, and which frames you choose. Dr. Shlivko's team will let you know upfront what's possible when you come in.
One thing worth knowing: if you need highly specialized lenses or a prescription with very high correction values, those may require lab processing and a short wait. But for the majority of patients, same day is realistic.
You'll Need a Current Prescription for Same Day Glasses in Brooklyn
Same day glasses are fast, but they're not a shortcut around a proper exam. Your glasses can only work as well as the prescription behind them — and an outdated prescription means glasses that don't actually correct your vision the way they should.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that adults have a full eye exam every one to two years, or annually if you're over 40 or have existing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a history of eye disease.
If your prescription is current (typically within one to two years), you can bring it in and go straight to frame selection. If it's expired or you're not sure, we'll start with an eye exam — which takes about 45 minutes — and then move to same day glasses from there.
Dr. Shlivko will evaluate your full visual health during the exam, not just update your prescription. That means checking eye pressure, looking at the health of your retina, and screening for early signs of conditions like glaucoma or cataracts. A new pair of glasses is a good reason to make sure your eyes are in good shape overall. You can learn more about what's included in a full eye exam in Crown Heights.
Choosing Frames for Same Day Glasses: What We Carry
One of the better parts of getting glasses at a neighborhood practice instead of a chain is the frame selection. At Nostrand Optical, we carry frames across a wide range — from everyday practical options to designer eyewear.
Our designer frame collection includes:
- Gucci
- Versace
- Prada
- Dolce & Gabbana
These aren't just decorative. They're prescription-ready frames that work with any lens type we offer. If you've been wearing the same pair for three years and you're finally replacing them, this is a good chance to upgrade.
For patients who want something more classic or budget-friendly, we carry a solid range of frames at accessible price points. Same day glasses shouldn't mean compromising on what you actually want to wear.
A quick note on lens options: Not every lens add-on is available for same day service, but most are. That includes anti-reflective coatings (which cut glare and screen reflection), blue light blocking lenses, and photochromic (Transitions) lenses. If you're not sure what you need, Dr. Shlivko can walk you through the options at your appointment.
A Patient Scenario: Broken Glasses, Fixed Same Day
Marcus, a Crown Heights resident in his late 30s, came into Nostrand Optical on a Tuesday morning after sitting on his glasses the night before. He'd bent the frame beyond repair and needed a replacement fast — he drives for work and couldn't go multiple days without distance correction.
His prescription was from about 18 months ago, still within range, and he'd brought the paperwork. Dr. Shlivko did a quick evaluation to confirm the prescription was still accurate and found a minor change worth updating. Marcus picked a new frame from our in-office collection — he went with a classic acetate frame, nothing fancy — and his single vision distance lenses were ready that afternoon.
He came back after his shift, picked up his glasses, and drove home without a problem. Total time in the office that morning: under an hour.
That's what same day glasses actually looks like for most patients. Not complicated, not expensive. Just practical.
Same Day Glasses and Insurance: What's Covered
Insurance coverage for same day glasses works the same way as any other glasses — the turnaround time doesn't change what your plan covers. If your vision plan covers frames and lenses, that coverage applies whether your glasses take one day or one week to make.
Nostrand Optical accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most major vision and health insurance plans, including:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
- Anthem
- Health First
- Fidelis Care
- Union plans
Medicaid vision coverage in New York typically includes one eye exam and one pair of glasses per year for eligible adults. So if you're on Medicaid and you've been putting off new glasses, same day service here means you can use your benefit and leave with your glasses in one visit. For specific coverage details, you can verify your insurance on our insurance page or call the office before you come in.
If you don't have vision insurance, CareCredit financing is available, including interest-free options for qualifying patients.
A Patient Scenario: Same Day Glasses with Medicaid
Denise, a Flatbush resident in her mid-50s, had been putting off getting new glasses for over a year. She wasn't sure if her Medicaid plan covered glasses, and she assumed the process would take multiple visits and a long wait for lenses.
She called Nostrand Optical and the front desk confirmed her Medicaid plan was accepted and that she was eligible for her annual benefit. She booked an appointment the next morning. Dr. Shlivko updated her prescription — she needed a stronger reading correction than her current glasses — and she picked out a new frame from our collection.
Her lenses were ready the same afternoon. She came back after running errands, picked up her glasses, and mentioned on her way out that she could finally read her phone without squinting. She also mentioned she hadn't known eye exams were included in her coverage — she'd been paying out of pocket for years before someone told her to check.
That's a common story. If you have Medicaid and you're not sure what's covered, check our insurance information or just call us. We'll sort it out before your appointment.
Who Same Day Glasses Are Right For
Same day glasses at Nostrand Optical work well for most patients, but they're especially useful if you:
- Broke or lost your current glasses and can't go without correction
- Have a current prescription and just need new frames or lenses
- Are overdue for an exam and want to handle the whole thing in one visit
- Use Medicaid or Medicare and want to use your annual vision benefit without a long process
- Need glasses before a specific event — travel, a new job, a school start date
- Are switching from contacts to glasses and want to see what works before committing
Same day glasses aren't the right fit for every prescription — very high corrections or certain specialty lens types may still require lab processing. But for the majority of patients who come through our door, same day is doable.
If you're not sure whether your prescription qualifies, learn about the full range of eye care services we offer or just call us with your prescription details.
What to Expect at Your Same Day Glasses Appointment
Here's what a typical same day glasses visit looks like at Nostrand Optical:
- Check-in and insurance verification — about 5 to 10 minutes. We'll confirm your coverage before the exam starts.
- Eye exam with Dr. Shlivko — about 45 minutes for a full exam. If you're just updating a valid prescription, this may be shorter.
- Frame selection — usually 10 to 20 minutes. Our staff can help narrow things down if you're not sure where to start.
- Lens processing — varies by lens type, but most standard single vision and many progressive lenses are ready within a few hours.
- Fitting and pickup — a quick adjustment to make sure the frames sit correctly on your face.
If you come in during the morning, glasses are typically ready by the afternoon. If you're coming in mid-afternoon, same day pickup may still be possible depending on the lens type.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) notes that a complete eye health evaluation is important regardless of whether you're getting glasses or contacts — so the exam isn't just a box to check before your new frames. Dr. Shlivko takes the health component seriously even when the visit starts with a broken pair.
A Patient Scenario: Contact Lens Wearer Switching to Glasses
Sandra, a 32-year-old who works at a desk in Crown Heights, had been wearing contact lenses for over a decade. Her eyes had gotten increasingly dry over the past year, to the point where she couldn't comfortably wear lenses for a full workday. She came in looking for a pair of glasses she could wear on days when her contacts weren't working.
Dr. Shlivko updated her prescription and also evaluated her dry eye symptoms — dry eye is one of the most common reasons contact lens wearers start spending more time in glasses. She left that day with a new pair of single vision glasses for distance and a plan to manage her dry eye. For more on dry eye and what can be done about it, the NIH's National Eye Institute has a solid overview.
If you're a contact lens wearer dealing with dry, uncomfortable eyes, it's worth coming in. You can also read more about dry eye treatment options in Brooklyn before your visit.
Get Same Day Glasses at Nostrand Optical in Crown Heights
You don't have to wait a week to see clearly. If you need new glasses — whether your old pair broke, your prescription has changed, or you've just been overdue — Nostrand Optical at 1018C Nostrand Ave in Crown Heights can take care of it today.
Dr. Shlivko is accepting new patients, and same day glasses are available for most standard prescriptions. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance plans. Designer frames from Gucci, Versace, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana are in stock alongside practical everyday options.
Book your appointment at Nostrand Optical and let's get your vision sorted — same day. You can also learn more about Dr. Shlivko and the practice before you come in.
We're on Nostrand Ave, right in Crown Heights. Easy to get to from Flatbush, Prospect Heights, Bed-Stuy, and Lefferts Gardens. Come in and leave with glasses that actually work.