Optometrist in Crown Heights: What to Expect at Nostrand Optical
If you're looking for an optometrist in Crown Heights, Nostrand Optical at 1018C Nostrand Ave is right here in the neighborhood, and Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD is accepting new patients. Whether you need a routine eye exam, a contact lens fitting, or a screening for glaucoma or cataracts, you'll find real, thorough eye care without having to leave Brooklyn.
A lot of people in Crown Heights put off eye exams longer than they should. Sometimes it's insurance confusion. Sometimes it's not knowing where to go. Sometimes it's just not feeling like a priority until something feels off. But your vision and your eye health are worth staying on top of, and having a neighborhood optometrist you can count on makes it easier to actually do that.
At Nostrand Optical, we see adults, seniors, and children ages 7 and up. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance plans. And we're not a chain. Dr. Shlivko knows his patients, takes time with his exams, and gives you straight answers.
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD sees patients at 1018C Nostrand Ave in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
- Eye exams at Nostrand Optical cover your prescription, eye pressure, and internal eye health — not just a vision check
- We accept Medicaid, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, Health First, Fidelis Care, and more
- Services include contact lens fittings, dry eye evaluation, glaucoma screening, cataract screening, and pediatric exams (ages 7 and up)
- Same-day glasses are available for most standard prescriptions
Why Having a Regular Optometrist in Crown Heights Matters
A lot of eye conditions don't announce themselves early. Glaucoma, for example, can cause significant damage to your optic nerve before you notice any change in your vision. Early cataracts might just look like slightly duller contrast. Macular degeneration can begin affecting your central vision gradually, in ways that are easy to dismiss.
That's why the relationship with a consistent optometrist matters. When Dr. Shlivko sees you year after year, he has a baseline. He knows what your eye pressure ran at your last exam. He knows if something's changed. That continuity catches things that a one-off appointment at a chain can't.
Annual exams are especially important if you're over 50, have a family history of glaucoma or cataracts, have diabetes, or are African-American (a population at higher-than-average risk for glaucoma, according to the American Optometric Association). For younger adults without known concerns, every one to two years is generally a reasonable schedule, though Dr. Shlivko will give you a specific recommendation based on your history.
If you're coming from Prospect Heights, Flatbush, or Bed-Stuy, we're easy to reach on Nostrand Ave. We're right in the neighborhood, not a trek.
If you're overdue for an eye exam, Dr. Shlivko is accepting new patients. Book an appointment at Nostrand Optical and we'll get you in.
What a Full Eye Exam at Nostrand Optical Actually Covers
When people hear "eye exam," they often think of the part where you read letters off a chart. That's one piece, but it's a small one.
A full exam with Dr. Shlivko takes about 45 minutes and covers:
- Visual acuity: Yes, the letter chart. This gives us your current prescription.
- Refraction: Determines the exact lens correction you need for glasses or contacts.
- Eye pressure (tonometry): Elevated pressure can be a sign of glaucoma. This is included in every exam.
- Slit-lamp examination: Dr. Shlivko looks at the front structures of your eye, including your cornea, lens, and iris. Early cataracts often show up here.
- Dilated fundus exam (when indicated): Drops widen your pupils so Dr. Shlivko can examine your retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. This is how conditions like macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are detected.
- Peripheral vision assessment: Checks for blind spots that can indicate glaucoma or neurological issues.
That's a lot more than a prescription check. It's a real evaluation of your eye health.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults with no known risk factors get a baseline eye exam by age 40 and more frequent exams as they get older. For patients already showing signs of concern, Dr. Shlivko may recommend coming in more frequently.
The Optometrist Crown Heights Families Rely On for Kids' Eyes
Marcus, age 9, Crown Heights
Marcus's mom brought him in after his teacher mentioned he was squinting at the board. He hadn't complained about his vision, which is common. Kids often don't know what "normal" vision is supposed to look like.
Dr. Shlivko ran a full pediatric exam. Marcus had moderate myopia in both eyes — nearsightedness that made anything past a few feet blurry. He'd been sitting closer to the front of class without realizing why.
Within a week, Marcus had glasses. His mom said his reading scores improved noticeably that semester. She brings both her kids in every year now.
Pediatric exams at Nostrand Optical are available for children ages 7 and up. Dr. Shlivko screens for myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, amblyopia (lazy eye), and strabismus (eye turn). Many of these conditions respond best to early intervention.
The school vision screening your child gets each year is not a substitute for a full eye exam. Those screenings catch some problems but miss others, and they don't evaluate eye health at all. If your child passed a school screening but you have concerns, a proper exam is still worth doing.
You can read more about what to expect in a pediatric eye exam in Brooklyn on our blog.
Insurance at Nostrand Optical: Medicaid, Medicare, and More
One of the most common reasons people in Crown Heights skip eye exams is insurance uncertainty. They're not sure if their plan is accepted, or they assume eye care is expensive, and they put it off.
Here's what we accept at Nostrand Optical:
- Medicaid (including managed care plans)
- Medicare
- UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
- Anthem
- Health First
- Fidelis Care
- Union plans
- CareCredit (for out-of-pocket costs, with 0% interest options)
If you're on Medicaid, you're covered for an eye exam. There's no reason to skip it. We see a lot of Medicaid patients in Crown Heights, and we make the process straightforward. If you're not sure whether your specific plan is accepted, just call the office and we'll check before your appointment.
You can also verify your coverage on our insurance page to see the full list of plans we work with.
Contact Lenses, Dry Eye, and Specialty Fittings
Sandra, 44, Prospect Heights
Sandra had been wearing contact lenses for years but had switched to glasses almost full-time because her contacts were too uncomfortable to wear past noon. She'd tried a few different brands on her own, but nothing seemed to help.
When she came to see Dr. Shlivko, he evaluated her for dry eye disease. It turned out she had moderate aqueous-deficient dry eye, which is very common in contact lens wearers, especially women in their 40s. Dr. Shlivko adjusted her lens type and fit, added a treatment plan for her dry eye, and coached her on a better wear schedule.
Within a few months, she was comfortably wearing her contacts again through a full workday.
Contact lens fittings at Nostrand Optical are a separate appointment from your regular eye exam. Dr. Shlivko fits spherical lenses for standard prescriptions, toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocal lenses for patients who need correction at multiple distances, and specialty lenses for patients with dry eye or difficult-to-fit prescriptions.
If you've had trouble with contacts in the past, that's worth mentioning when you book. It doesn't mean contacts won't work for you. It might just mean you need a different lens or a different approach.
You can read more about contact lens fitting in Brooklyn, including what to expect at your fitting appointment, on our blog.
For patients dealing with ongoing discomfort, we also offer clinical evaluation and treatment for dry eye disease. This goes beyond artificial tears. Dr. Shlivko will evaluate the cause of your dry eye and discuss actual treatment options. Learn more about dry eye treatment in Brooklyn.
Already know what you need? Schedule your contact lens fitting or dry eye evaluation here.
Glaucoma and Cataract Screening for Crown Heights Patients
Two of the most common conditions Dr. Shlivko screens for are glaucoma and cataracts. Both are more common as you get older. Both can be caught early with a proper exam.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is often called the "silent thief of sight" because most people with early glaucoma don't feel anything wrong. By the time peripheral vision starts to go, the disease has already caused damage.
Risk factors include:
- Age over 60
- African-American heritage (risk increases significantly after age 40)
- Family history of glaucoma
- Elevated eye pressure
- Diabetes or high blood pressure
Dr. Shlivko measures your eye pressure at every exam. If pressure is elevated or other risk factors are present, he'll discuss next steps, which may include more frequent monitoring or a referral for specialist evaluation. The National Eye Institute notes that early detection remains the most important factor in preventing glaucoma-related vision loss.
Read more about glaucoma screening in Brooklyn on our blog.
Cataracts
Cataracts develop when the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. It's a slow process, and early cataracts often cause no noticeable symptoms. As they progress, you may notice:
- Blurry or hazy vision
- Difficulty with glare, especially at night while driving
- Colors that seem faded or yellowed
- Frequent prescription changes
Dr. Shlivko can identify early cataract formation during your slit-lamp exam. If cataracts are progressing to the point where surgery may be beneficial, he'll refer you to an ophthalmologist he trusts. Read more about cataract screening in Brooklyn.
Eyewear at Nostrand Optical: Frames, Lenses, and Same-Day Glasses
Darnell, 52, Crown Heights
Darnell had been wearing the same frames for four years. He came in for an exam and his prescription had shifted. He also needed progressives for the first time, which he'd been putting off because he assumed they'd be hard to adjust to.
Dr. Shlivko walked him through his lens options, explained what progressives actually are and how the adjustment period works, and helped him pick frames that fit his face and his budget. Because his prescription was a standard progressive, his glasses were ready the same day. He left wearing them.
He later said the adjustment took about three days, and he wished he'd done it two years earlier.
Nostrand Optical carries a full frame selection in-office, including designer brands: Gucci, Versace, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana. If you want frames that look good, we have options.
Lens choices include:
- Single vision
- Bifocal
- Progressive (no-line multifocal)
- Anti-reflective coatings
- Blue light blocking lenses
- Photochromic (Transitions) lenses
For most standard prescriptions, same-day glasses are available when lenses are in stock. You don't have to wait a week. This is a real convenience differentiator, especially if your prescription has changed and you need updated lenses quickly.
How to Book an Appointment at Nostrand Optical in Crown Heights
Booking is straightforward. You can book an appointment online or call the office directly. If you have questions about whether we accept your insurance, call us before your appointment and we'll verify.
We're at 1018C Nostrand Ave, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11225, on Nostrand Ave between Empire Blvd and Eastern Pkwy. We're accessible by multiple MTA bus lines on Nostrand Ave and easy to reach from Prospect Heights, Flatbush, Bed-Stuy, and Lefferts Gardens.
Dr. Shlivko sees patients of all ages. New patients are welcome. If you'd like to learn more about the practice before you come in, visit our about Dr. Shlivko page or review our full list of eye care services.
Your Crown Heights Optometrist Is Right Here
You don't need to travel to a chain optical or a big clinic to get good eye care. Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD is right here on Nostrand Ave, seeing patients from Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Flatbush, and beyond. Whether you're due for a routine exam, have concerns about your vision, need contacts, or just haven't seen an eye doctor in longer than you'd like to admit, this is a good place to start.
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most major plans. Same-day glasses are available. We see kids ages 7 and up. And Dr. Shlivko will give you his time and a straight answer.
Book your appointment at Nostrand Optical today. We're on Nostrand Ave in Crown Heights, and we're ready to see you.