Accent on Eyes: Keeping Rockville Centre in sight

Being able to see clearly is an important part of daily life, even amid a crisis. Accent on Eyes in Rockville Centre is still open during the Covid-19 outbreak, by appointment only, for those who need emergency repairs or replacement glasses.

Bruce Mirkin has had his store at 28 South Park Avenue for 17 years and is doing all he can to keep his business open and keep his staff on payroll amid the crisis.

“Sight is essential,” Mirkin said. “If you can’t see, it can really impact your day-to-day life.”

Accent on Eyes is taking appointments for customers with broken glasses or for those who need new contact lenses. They have had to eliminate eye exams during this time, but can still provide new lenses –and frames – to those with existing prescriptions. Additionally, customers can order online, and the store is offering free direct shipping for contact lenses and curbside deliveries or drop-offs as needed.

“Our goal is to maintain vision throughout this crisis,” Mirkin said, “so we can at least serve our customers in this way.”

Mirkin said he is taking the required extra safety precautions when seeing customers or handling their eyewear: wearing a mask and gloves, sterilizing the frames with alcohol and disinfecting frames with a new ultraviolet cleaner that can disinfect 10 frames at a time.

Mirkin is a licensed optician; he graduated from Stony Brook University in 1978 and the New York College of Technology for Ophthalmic Dispensing in 1982. Almost every pair of glasses is made on the premises, and Mirkin said he and his staff take care to ensure his customers are satisfied with their new eyewear.

“There’s a science to frame fitting,” he said, noting how the shape and shade of the frames must complement the shape and coloring of people’s faces. “We want that ‘wow’ factor for our customers.”

Earlier this year, Accent on Eyes hired an eye doctor, Dr. Jeffrey Berman, who is able to provide eye exams to customers. This Mirkin, said, allows his store to be more of a “one stop shop” for customers seeking glasses, and they are now able to accept most insurance for the examinations. Berman will see patients from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays when the store is able to resume normal hours.

“It’s definitely different for people to get a prescription right here,” Mirkin said. “These days, people expect instant gratification, so we felt it was time to upgrade our business model. People seem happy, and as things pick up, we’ll add another day of the week for the doctor.”

Being in business since 2003, Mirkin said he is proud to be a part of a community that is so supportive, of local business and of various charities.

“I’ve really gotten to know my customers, watched them grow up, and it’s very gratifying,” he said. “People really come together in times of need.”

Call (516) 766-2800 or visit www.accentoneyes.net to see the selection of brands available or to schedule an appointment.