What Makes an Optometrist the "Best" for Your Family?
When you're looking for the best optometrist in Brooklyn, you're not just looking for someone who can read an eye chart. You want a doctor who knows your neighborhood, respects your time, accepts your insurance, and actually listens when you describe what you're seeing. Vision Palace Optical has been that doctor on Avenue U for more than 30 years. Dr. Julia Sheyko and Dr. Alexander Shlivko aren't chasing trends or metrics—they're building relationships with families across Sheepshead Bay, Gravesend, Brighton Beach, and Marine Park.
The best optometrist for you is someone local. Someone whose name you hear from your neighbors. Someone who remembers you and your kids from year to year.
30 Years on Avenue U: Why Longevity Matters
A lot can change in three decades. When Vision Palace Optical opened in 1995, the internet barely existed. We've watched Sheepshead Bay grow, seen families come back for second and third generations, and built trust the slow, steady way—one patient at a time.
Being here for 30 years means we're not going anywhere. We're not a chain expanding to twenty neighborhoods. We're the eye doctor at 1723 Avenue U, and we're staying put. That matters because continuity of care is real. When your child needs myopia control lenses or your parent needs a glaucoma check, you want a doctor with a full medical history, not a walk-in clinic with rotating staff.
Our doctors know the neighborhoods we serve. They know which schools are requiring vision screenings. They know the humidity in your apartment affects dry eye differently than it does across town. They know that walking in on a Saturday without an appointment is sometimes easier than planning days in advance. Walk-ins are welcome.
Insurance We Accept: No Surprises
The best optometrist is one who accepts your insurance. Nothing ruins an eye care experience faster than discovering at checkout that your coverage doesn't apply. We accept most major plans: Medicaid, Medicare, EyeMed, MetroPlus, Cigna, EmblemHealth, Aetna, Superior Vision, Healthfirst, Davis Vision, BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, Fidelis Care, 1199SEIU, Spectera Vision, and more.
Coverage varies by plan—call us or book through Zocdoc to verify your benefits before your visit. But we've built strong relationships with the insurance networks that families in our neighborhoods actually use. That's not an accident.
Clinical Excellence Meets Neighborhood Care
Dr. Julia Sheyko specializes in anterior and posterior segment disease, neurological eye disease, and complex contact lens fitting. She's trained in retinal disease monitoring and pre- and post-operative eye care. Dr. Alexander Shlivko brings deep expertise in comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings for a wide range of eye conditions. Both doctors are fluent in English and Russian, and we have Spanish-speaking staff to serve the multilingual community on Avenue U.
What makes them the best isn't just their credentials (though those are solid). It's that they explain things. When Dr. Sheyko or Dr. Shlivko diagnoses you with astigmatism or presbyopia, you'll understand what it means and why your prescription changed. When you ask about progressive lenses or Stellest lenses for your child's myopia, you get a real answer, not a sales pitch.
We also handle the full scope of eye care: comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, DMV vision tests (walk-in, no appointment needed—we submit the MV-619 directly to the NY State DMV), glaucoma screening, cataract evaluation, dry eye treatment, and retinal disease monitoring. Your eye health isn't compartmentalized into different doctors or offices. It's all here.
Designer Frames and Practical Eyewear
The best optometrist has frames you'll actually want to wear. We carry designer brands—Dita, Gucci, Tom Ford, Prada, Ray-Ban, Tiffany & Co., Silhouette, Burberry, Coach, and more—so you can find something that matches how you see yourself. But we also have stylish, affordable options for families on a budget.
Browse our collection before or after your exam. Try on designer frames with no pressure. We're not a big-box retailer where you feel rushed. You're browsing at the corner eye doctor on Avenue U, where the people behind the counter actually know eyewear.
Advanced Lens Technology for Your Lifestyle
The best optometrist also recommends the right lenses for how you actually live. If you're on your computer all day, we have blue light lenses. If you drive at night, we offer Transitions Drivewear. If you read and watch TV without clear vision at multiple distances, progressive lenses by Varilux or Zeiss will change your life. If your child is showing early signs of myopia, Stellest lenses can slow progression by up to 67 percent.
We don't upsell. We explain. We recommend what makes sense for your eyes and your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
An optometrist (OD) performs comprehensive eye exams, writes prescriptions for glasses and contacts, diagnoses and treats eye conditions like dry eye and glaucoma, and screens for serious disease. An ophthalmologist (MD) is a medical doctor who does all of that plus surgery. For most eye care needs—exams, prescriptions, disease monitoring—an optometrist is exactly who you need. Vision Palace Optical serves Brooklyn with two experienced ODs.
How often should I have an eye exam?
Most adults need an eye exam every one to two years. Kids, seniors, and people with eye conditions may need yearly exams or more frequently. Your doctor will recommend the right schedule for you. The best way to know is to book an exam and ask.
Do you offer same-day appointments?
We accept walk-ins, especially for DMV tests and frame browsing. For a comprehensive eye exam, book through Zocdoc or call (718) 998-8400 to check availability. We're open Monday through Saturday at 1723 Avenue U, Brooklyn.
What insurance do you accept?
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, EyeMed, MetroPlus, Cigna, EmblemHealth, Aetna, Superior Vision, Healthfirst, Davis Vision, BlueCross BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, Fidelis Care, 1199SEIU, and Spectera Vision. Coverage varies by plan—call us or verify through Zocdoc before your visit.
Can my child get an eye exam?
Yes. We see kids ages 6 and up for comprehensive eye exams, vision screening, and myopia control fitting. Younger children need to be referred to a pediatric eye specialist. Bring your child's insurance card and any school vision screening results.
Do you do contact lens fittings?
Yes. We fit daily, monthly, toric, and multifocal contact lenses. If you've never worn contacts, your doctor will walk you through insertion, removal, and care. If you're switching brands or types, we'll make sure the fit is right. Learn more about our contact lens fitting process.
The best optometrist in Brooklyn isn't the one with the fanciest technology or the biggest marketing budget. It's the one who's been showing up for your neighborhood for three decades. It's the one your neighbors trust. It's the one at 1723 Avenue U in Sheepshead Bay.
Book your eye exam at Vision Palace Optical—book through Zocdoc or call us at (718) 998-8400. We're open Monday through Saturday. Walk-ins welcome for DMV tests and frame browsing.