Metro Optics’ newest location in the Throggs Neck neighborhood in the Bronx, N.Y.

BRONX, N. Y.—Over the past three years, New York City’s Metro Optics has continued to expand its model of community–oriented eyecare by growing its outreach and engagement program and developing an e-commerce platform to increase its reach and service provision. The company, which operates four locations in the Bronx, has also invested in advanced technology for testing, diagnostics and treatment of eye disease. Additionally, it is one the first optical retailers in the country to offer high tech eyewear such as smart glasses.


A look inside the Throggs Neck store.

As a community-oriented business, Metro Optics seeks to cultivate long-term patient relationships in one of its local offices where it delivers friendly, personalized eyecare. But the company’s management also knows that sometimes “the mountain needs to come to Mohammed,” due to several factors including:

  • Lack of understanding of insurance/benefits and how to access them.
  • Lack of understanding when it comes to the importance of comprehensive eye exams.
  • Lack of ability to visit one of its offices during regular business hours.

Toward that end, Metro Optics participates in community health fairs and other events where it provides information about eye health, free vision screening services and incentives to visit its locations for comprehensive eyecare. For those who are not insured or are underinsured, Metro Optics also provides information about itsVision Club, where members receive benefits including a complete eye exam, eyewear, and discounts on frame and lens upgrades.


Metro Optics often uses a
bespectaled Minion to attract
children for free vision
screenings at community fairs.

In addition to community events, Metro Optics is active in B2B business development, engaging local businesses and organizations to promote the availability of its Vision Club package among employees or provide membership as an employment benefit.

“We have continued to grow our business by evolving our service provision to meet patients where they’re at,” explained Sara Bonizio, marketing and community relations manager for Metro Optics.

“In Fall 2016, we will be launching an updated e-commerce site, Metro Optics Online, which will offer online eyewear sales as well as Vision Club membership enrollment and contact lens reordering. In today’s ‘all digital, all the time’ culture, this will allow us to retain patients who are seeking the convenience of online ordering but value ‘the Metro Way’ and the service we are known for, as well as to reach new patients, both locally and regionally.”

Metro Optics COO John Bonizio and head of optometry Eva Yan, OD, are also evaluating new technologies that would enable Metro Optics to bring select eyecare services on-site to local businesses and organizations, carefully deployed under the umbrella of four decades’ experience providing high quality optometric services.