Does the eye exams and contact lens fittings, and writes the prescription the opticians fit to.
Optical and eye exams in Northeast Minneapolis
Glasses made, fitted and repaired at the bench
Dr. Kalia Vang does the eye exam. Two opticians cut your lenses, fit the frames to your face and mend whatever breaks, all in one shop on Central Avenue.
The workshop
From lens blank to fitting
Every pair that leaves the shop passes the same six stops. Ask the optician what each one is for.
- 01
Step 1: Choose the frame
Try shapes and materials with an optician, who says how each frame will sit with your prescription before you decide.
Acetate, metal and titanium
Sizes for narrow and wide faces
- 02
Step 2: Measure the fit
Pupil distance, the height of each pupil in the frame, and how the frame rests on your nose and ears.
Pupil distance and height
Frame tilt and wrap
- 03
Step 3: Cut the lens blank
A lens blank for your prescription is chosen and cut to the shape of the frame on the edging machine.
Lens material and thickness
The coatings you choose
- 04
Step 4: Mount and check
The lens is seated in the frame, the screws are set and the edges are checked by hand.
Edges and bevel
Screws and hinges
- 05
Step 5: Clean and inspect
Each pair goes through the ultrasonic cleaner, then gets a last look for scratches and alignment against your written order.
Ultrasonic clean
Scratch and alignment check
- 06
Step 6: Fit at pickup
The optician adjusts the temples, nose pads and angle on your face, and shows you how to look after them.
Temples and nose pads
Care and cleaning
At the bench
Where the work happens
Hands, tools and frames from the shop floor.
Showing 6 of 6
Sample photos.
The repair desk
Bent, loose or broken? Bring it in
Walk up to the desk in any open hour with the glasses and any pieces. An optician looks at them with you and says what can be done, and what it takes.
What we mend
Loose screws and wobbly temples
Nose pads and crooked frames
Lenses that pop out
New lenses in a frame you already love
Specials
Offers from the bench
Show a coupon at the desk, on paper or on your phone.
Repair desk Repair and adjustment offer Bring the coupon to the repair desk. Ask at the desk what an offer covers and when it ends. 
Frames and lenses Second pair offer Show the coupon when you order your lenses. Ask at the desk what an offer covers and when it ends.
Sample offers.
Who is at the bench
The people who fit your glasses
Dr. Vang does the eye exams. Lyle and Hibo cut, fit and repair, and a small front-desk crew keeps the shop running.
Runs the edging bench, mounts the lenses and does the final fit at pickup.
Takes the measurements, fits frames to faces and looks after the repair desk.
Questions
Questions people ask first
Can I bring in glasses I bought somewhere else?
Yes. We adjust and repair glasses from any shop, and we say what is possible before we start.
Do I need a new eye exam to have glasses made?
You need a current written prescription. Bring one from any eye doctor, or book an exam with Dr. Vang. Your prescription is yours either way.
How much will my glasses cost?
It depends on the frame, the lens material and the coatings. We give you a written estimate before we order anything. See how fees work for the details.
Do you work with my vision plan?
We work with many vision plans. Call to confirm yours, and we check your benefits before your visit where we can.
How long does a pair take to make?
It depends on the lenses. We tell you when we take your order and call you when the pair is ready.
Book a fitting or an eye exam
Pick a time online, or call the shop and we will find one with you.