Business Details
Your Trusted Opticians in Birmingham, MI
Optik Birmingham combines vintage charm with modern innovation to deliver exceptional eye care and eyewear. Founded by Dr. Joe Ales, our practice merges state-of-the-art diagnostic technology with a curated collection of exclusive designer frames and one of the nations largest selections of original vintage eyewear. Our team prioritizes personalized service, offering comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, and customized vision solutions tailored to individual needs. We emphasize both functional excellence and aesthetic appeal, ensuring patients receive precise prescriptions paired with stylish, high-quality eyewear.Our commitment to community extends to educational resources about eye health conditions like astigmatism, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. With an in-house lab for same-day lens services and flexible scheduling, we strive to make vision care accessible and convenient. Our reputation for expertise, patient education, and unique product offerings has made us a trusted destination in the Metro Detroit area.
Services
Eye Exams
Contact Lenses
Eyeglasses
Dry Eye Treatment
Designer Eyewear
Highlights and features
- Dr. Joe Ales brings decades of optometric expertise and personalized attention to every exam.
- Exclusive access to one of the country's largest collections of original vintage eyewear.
- Same-day in-house lens finishing for immediate vision correction after exams.
- Comprehensive eye health screenings using advanced OCT imaging technology.
- Knowledgeable opticians specializing in custom frame and lens pairings for optimal comfort.
What people say
Extremely professional
Very knowledgeable
Great selection
Terrific service
Best fit
Services
Eye Exams
Our comprehensive eye exams use advanced OCT imaging and visual field testing to detect conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration. Dr. Ales provides personalized assessments for glasses or contact lens prescriptions while evaluating overall eye health. The 30+ minute appointments include detailed explanations of findings and treatment options.
Contact Lenses
We offer specialized contact lens fittings for astigmatism, presbyopia, and dry eyes. Our inventory includes daily disposables, extended wear, and toric lenses. Dr. Ales ensures proper fit through corneal topography and tear film evaluations to maximize comfort and vision clarity.
Designer Eyewear
Our optical boutique features exclusive contemporary collections from Dita, Kawasaki, and Vinylize alongside a 1,000+ piece vintage eyewear archive. Each frame selection receives expert adjustments and lens customization in our on-site lab for perfect fit and durability.
Dry Eye Treatment
We diagnose dry eye causes through tear layer analysis and provide treatments including prescription drops, lid hygiene products, and lifestyle recommendations. Our approach combines medical management with environmental adjustments to improve tear production and ocular comfort.
Glaucoma Screening
Using non-contact tonometry and OCT scans, we detect early glaucoma signs through optic nerve imaging and intraocular pressure measurements. Our screening includes visual field testing to identify peripheral vision loss and create monitoring or treatment plans.
People
Dr. Joe Ales
Optometrist
Dr. Joe Ales combines decades of clinical experience with a passion for vintage eyewear curation. He specializes in comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, and early detection of eye diseases using advanced diagnostic technology.
Questions
What makes Optik Birmingham's eye exams different?
Our exams use OCT imaging for 3D retinal views and include 30+ minutes of personalized analysis, surpassing standard vision testing with comprehensive eye health assessments.
Do you carry hard-to-find vintage eyewear?
Yes, our Hindsight Collection features over 1,000 original vintage frames from the 1920s-1990s, including rare Gucci, Ray-Ban, and Persol designs never previously worn.
Can I get same-day glasses?
Our on-site lab allows for same-hour lens processing when paired with morning eye exams, enabling immediate prescription fulfillment in most frames.
How do you handle dry eye cases?
We use tear film analysis to identify dry eye causes and offer customized treatment plans including prescription drops, lid care products, and environmental recommendations.
Do you accept insurance?
We work with most vision insurance plans and file claims on your behalf, while maintaining transparent pricing for all eyewear and exam services.
Reviews (6)
Patrick Filbin
Sep 02, 2021
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Honestly the best optical experience Ive ever had: great selection, very knowledgeable and professional staff and a great location!
Kevin M.
Apr 11, 2021
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Best doctor around, Check! Best selection of sun and eyeglasses, Check! Outstanding customer service, Check!
Ron Twtman
Mar 21, 2021
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Go...just go! It's your experience. I may spoil it for you. With that said, I'm fully confident you will get more awesomeness than you can imagine.
Randall Chioini
Jul 11, 2020
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Best place for a one stop shop for eyeglasses. Unlike most eyeglass stores where you have to fumble through piles of glasses to find the right pair, the staff here always provides great direction and within minutes help narrow down the search to couple great pair. Elaine was especially helpful last time I was in. She was knowledgeable and helpful!
Mark B.
Nov 17, 2019
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Love love love Dr Joe! He takes the time to explain everything, and answer every question I come up with. I never feel rushed, rare these days. Opticians are the best, too. Friendly and they really know their stuff.
Todd Levin
Nov 13, 2019
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Highly recommend Optik. They have a great selection of frames and an incredibly helpful staff who go out of their way to help. Will definitely shop here again.
