Very odd experience. We wanted to visit because we heard the store had a great selection. We drove over. Door was locked. Tried to get the attention of someone behind the counter. No response. A minute later an employee came out and told us that they operate by appointment only. We explained that we just wanted to look at the selection and could make an appointment later. We were told that an optician had to be present to look. Why? Because they have experience fitting glasses. I noted that there was no one else in the store and couldn’t we just browse. No, we needed an appointment with an optician. We could be seen in 2-3 days. I don’t quite understand. Perhaps this is a way of conveying an elitism and selectivity. It certainly communicated to us that we didn’t want to buy our glasses here. Too bad. Message: Do not just wander over. Make an appointment. Be prepared for a very formalistic and beyond businesslike experience

Dr. Kessler is the best optometrist. The staff is super friendly, the facilities are top notch, and theres a wide selection of designer eyewear for those in pursuit of something spectacular!

Highly professional staff. Covid protocol was followed to the letter. I was anxious about the eye imaging,but staff were calming, described everything and Dr Kessler was thorough,kind and engaging. Highly recommend. 5 Stars.

Highly recommend Dr. Kessler and his team. Friendly, highly professional service. State of the art diagnostics and lens crafting. Not to mention a curated range of beautiful eye wear.

Very professional and the staff was A++ very nice and helpful

I was a new patient and really had a great experience with my first visit. The exam was thorough. The staff and Dr. Kessler were fantastic! The selection of frames and the assistance with selecting glasses was better than anywhere I had ever been.

I always have a very pleasant experience with Kessler Optical. I visited them for the first time in 2018 and continue to receive care with them. Dr. Kessler and his team are quite knowledgeable, friendly and helpful beyond compare.

I had a very pleasant experience at Kessler Optical. The staff left no stone unturned to ensure our safety during the pandemic – only one person was allowed at a time, and everything was thoroughly sanitized. The staff was smart and professional. Dr. Kessler was very friendly and knowledgeable. The whole place is beautiful and it was a shame to see it deserted because of the pandemic. 7 star experience.

IF YOU ARE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A MIDDLE AGE MALE OF EUROPEAN DECENT MAKING 100,000K + DO NOT GO HERE. He does not care about the health of your eyes. This establishment is built to take your money.Dr. Kessler made a snarky remark to me during my exam that was completely baffling.Also, I am sure that he shown the light on my retina for too long until the point my eyes started burning and tearing. Since this check up I have been having constant problems with my vision and headaches. I feel like suing this dude for malpractice.I have worn glasses my entire life and I am scared to even use the prescription he gave me because the exam was rushed. Again, Do not go here.

Consistently professional and organized, and always a pleasant experience.

Kessler Optical is home to true professionals in eye care. Their service is friendly yet professional, and their quality is second to none. I arrived early to my scheduled exam, and I was seen a few minutes early which was nice. Dr. Kessler was efficient yet thorough with my examination, which was full-fledged due to my severe nearsightedness and astigmatism. He also gave me a much more detailed and technical description of astigmatism and of the overall function of the eye, which I appreciated being an engineer. Kessler Optical does not have any cheap brands of eye wear, but their quality is the best. With the help of their associates, I chose a pair of Oliver Peoples frames with digitally manufactured lenses. The price was high but I believe it is worth every penny. Will definitely be a returning customer.

I arrived 10 minutes early for my appointment and was in an exam room with the technician before my appointment was supposed to start. Everyone i interacted with was pleasant and professional. Dr. Kessler was fantastic; he showed me my retinal scans and explained everything to me without being too technical or too patronizing.The frames and lenses are expensive. However, I do not feel forced into purchasing them from Kessler Optical. Dr. Kessler asked me if I wanted a print out of my prescription. I would not be able to afford to purchases glasses here if it wasnt for my flex spending account through work, but I am willing to spend extra money for quality and excellent customer service which definitely describe Kessler Optical.I find the negative reviews rather laughable based on my experience. No one was pretentious or rude. I felt in no way pressured to buy lenses and frames there. I spend no time waiting and didnt see anyone waiting while I was there.

Recently while having a minor flare up of a chronic issue, despite the stay at home order, I was able to email Dr. Kesslers office. I received a phone call shortly thereafter and Dr. Kessler helped me with my issue in a timely manor. In these times of waiting for hours hold for doctors offices to pick up this was much appreciated!

Lens+frame START around $800, which I simply cant afford. They do have a nice selection so maybe the price is justified, but I simply cant bring myself to spend that kind of money on glasses. Contact prices seemed normal. I would search elsewhere for glasses if you dont have a lot of disposable income, or a great medical spending card.The eye exam was great. Kessler is a personable guy, and the whole place seems efficient and professional. No problems there!

Dr. Kessler is an excellent optometrist. I have trusted him with my vision for 25+ years. The staff is knowledgeable, and the service is great! My glasses fit well and the progressive lenses are the best--the staff measured me so that I do not have to tilt my head to see whatever I need to see. Highly recommended.

Very happy with my exam. It was very thorough. Looking forward to picking out my frames.

I explicitly asked if there was an additional fee not covered by my insurance for the retinal examination and was told there wasnt. Now that it is too late to back out of my appointment, I have to sign a form acknowledging its $40. I get one free appointment per year, and if I werent on the hook for a cancellation fee, I would leave and have my eye exam done back hone where the retinal exam is just $10 extra.When I asked that the information about the fee be passed to the person who gave me false information, I was sort of... hand waved away?The retinal exam itself was done professionally.The doctor was very professional as well.

I’ve always had difficulty finding glasses that fit my face and it usually takes me a long time to find a pair that is acceptable. But within 15 minutes of walking in the door, Kessler opticians found a pair of frames that I absolutely love. They even made them work with my multi focal prescription (progressives). I have received so many compliments about them. For once in my life, I actually like wearing glasses!

Great experience, very clean! Dr. Kessler and all the staff were very patient with my 5 yo.

Dr. Kessler is exceptional. He is thorough in all he does and takes as much time as one needs to explain and answer my many questions. He is caring and thoughtful in providing solutions to vision problems. The entire Kessler Optical staff display the utmost in professionalism and assistance. I wouldnt go anywhere else for my vision needs.

Great customer service! First time I have Ever said perfect and was able to see completely clear. Also found out that I have Different focal points for each eye which I have Never been told in 40 some years. So looking forward to glasses that I will Actual use. And they have the coolest frames. You can also use your insurance every year not to very two! Bonus!!

I was initially impressed with the thoroughness of my eye health exams. Glaucoma was tested for without that blast burst of air. My eye exam was brisk and thorough.Dr Kessler set me at ease with switching to transitional lenses and explained some of the important details for specifying the lenses. I will be a return customer.

The team at Kessler Optical is great! They really made me feel at ease and they took the time to answer my many questions. Dr. Kessler was very patient with me and explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. Truly professional service!

I first came to Dr. Kessler because I needed someone who was in my insurance plan and who could make specialized contacts. I made him my primary eye care physician because Dr. Kessler and his staff truly care about their patients. Im always treated as a priority, my experience is individualized, calls are answered promptly, and questions are treated as if I was the only person who has ever asked them.

Genuinely caring!

Had an eye infection and urgently needed an exam, they were able to get me in on the same day. Dr. Kessler gives the impression that he really cares about his patients. The office itself also looked very nice. Would definitely recommend if you need an eye doctor in Champaign.

Dr. Kessler and his staff are just awesome. Dr. Kessler takes the time to make sure that he has everything right for you. The staff is very friendly and they make sure that you are comfortable during your visit.Very happy, Brenda Knapp

The Dr was informative, I was pleased with that portion of the appointment for my daughter. After he left another lady came in and and went over what the doc said and told us they would print our script, seemed odd but ok. We went to the counter to check out asked to talk about glasses, the lady was extremely rude and snooty. When we asked the prices our insurance covered she acted like we was a huge inconvenience. She began punching numbers like I was buying a car on the calculator to the hold the calculator up to my face and then in my two childrens face and then back to my face again... I felt completely disrespected and my kids felt embarrassed, I expressed that when I left. My daughters follow up was cancelled and I will take her else where.

Dr. Kessler and everyone working at Kessler Optical is the best! Dr. Kessler is so thorough, never rushes through an appointment and answers all my questions. There is an excellent selection of frames to choose from and a lot of help picking out just the right frame. I would highly recommend going to Kessler Optical!

I have been a patient of Dr. Kesslers for many years. The atmosphere is always warm and friendly. The eye exams are very thorough and Dr. Kessler explains everything he finds with my 70 year old eyes. He is also excellent at fitting contact lenses.

I love Dr Kessler and a staff they sure know their craft would recommend them to anybody. They are very friendly and so so nice.

Excellent service at Kessler Optical! They great COVID precautions and also help you out at every step of your visit. They are adept at handling insurance to get you the best deal! While they are not the cheapest, they are of the highest quality of eye care.

Kessler optical has a wonderful staff and a great location. I had been having issues with tired dry eyes and straining to focus. I went in for my yearly checkup. They did a few routine tests, then I was in to see Dr. Kessler. He looked at the results, made a few adjustments, had me read the eye chart. My prescription had really changed in a year!! A pair of diagnostic lenses is on order. My appointment was done in just over an hour.

My first exam with Dr Kessler and staff was very thorough and professional. In my 60+ years of needing corrective lenses, this was the best of all. Thank you all! I’ll be back!

I have had wonderful experiences with Kessler Optical!I now have two pairs of glasses, both of which I love!I have my examinations done there also, and am very satisfied with all proponents of the business.

Every time I visited the office I felt very comfortable. This service is laid-back and friendly. The staff is very professional and eager to accommodate you.

I have been a patient/client of Kessler Optical for several years. Every aspect of our relationship has been highly professional & I have always felt I could trust Dr. Kessler with something as important as my eye health. I would highly recommend them to anyone searching for an eye physician.

Kessler Optical, we dont need a prescription to see right through you. If you feel that the service here is exemplary, then you are either naive or complacent with an establishment who prioritizes class wealth and status over actual care (which you might very well support, but just be honest with yourself and your review). They are likely able to maintain their high-brow attitudes due to the unfortunate level of market power they have in Champaign-Urbana. Nice inventory with a staff very capable of working to push select product sales by all-but-disclosing their secret behind the scenes sales incentives. An introductory pair of glasses starts at $700-$1,000, and that is after a 40% discount from my insurance. Lenses alone START at $400+, there are no other options. When asked if they had any other lens options the sales rep. replied Oh, we dont do that here. I emphasize the term sales rep. because they are certainly capable of scripting the optometrists version of The Art of The Deal. Very fake nice and fake kind up front, but that changes if they identify you to not be one of them (and dont worry, the second you walk in the door you will immediately be judged based on your appearance and subsequently placed into a status bin). After they were unable to bid a pair of glasses under $742 (after insurance), I asked if they could tell me the style of frames that I had tried on so I could try to find an optometrist who could put less expensive lenses in the same frames. She replied: oh, looks like we didnt write that down, Im not sure what frames you had selected. Her intentions and motives could not be made any more transparent or shallow. Many other smug and pretentious actions I witnessed in the 45 minutes I spent there. Heres to hoping they someday grow up to actually care about people, not just sales.

This business is a gem in downtown Champaign. Every employee at Kessler optical is wonderful and extremely professional. The Kessler team ALWAYS goes above and beyond to make sure your eyes are the healthiest and stylish they can be!!

Very efficient and knowledgeable, excellent range of eyewear and exemplary service Great annual party as well!!

I look forward to my annual visit to Kessler’s. From the moment I walk into the space until I leave I feel welcomed and a valued patient. Dr. Kessler takes a whole patient approach to eye health. He recently learned of the benefits to increased dosage of vitiman C for the type of glocama that I have. I appreciate his attention to personalized care.The ladies that take care of your eyewear are spectacular! I feel like I am walking in to talk with girlfriends to talk about what should I wear about an important event? They know you, don’t push just because it is trendy, trust them

Very professional service. Lovely people. Unfortunately for people like me with not much disposable income, very few options for cheap frames etc.

I love the personal care that I always receive by Dr. Kessler and his staff. Whether I am in for a routine checkup or call with an eye issue, our family consistently receives prompt, courteous and professional care.

Loved my recent visit to Kessler Optical! Dr. Kessler and his staff were courteous, professional, and efficient. Their frame selection is awesome, the staff was exceptional at helping me to find the perfect frame to provide me the best vision possible and as a person who is legally blind, I would not trust my vision care to any other professional office in Champaign. Dr. Kesslers expertise in low vision has aided me in protecting what eyesight I have remaining.

Excellent all the way. Fast and friendly and very knowledgeable. A+++

Without question (we tried a few) the best optometrist in Champaign-Urbana--highly professional, with exemplary results. Perhaps more expensive than many but absolutely worth it for the quality of the exam, care, and results. And they also carry the most stylish collection of frames, know how to fit, and have a kind and caring staff.

We have known Dr. Kessler for many years. I would highly recommend his services to anyone.

Personable and knowledgeable staff, starting with Dr. Kessler and going through everyone in the shop.

Most pretentious eye clinic Ive ever been to. The two women behind the eye glasses counter were too engrossed with how good new frames looked on them (from a sales representative) to actually provide any customer help. Guess they are not really concerned about clients as long as they have their designer frames. Im not sure that they realize this business is in Champaign, IL. I would expect something like this on the Gold Coast or maybe San Francisco. All frames are set aside in cases to ensure potential clients dont have direct access to their valuable frames.If you like pretentious, and maybe you do, then this is the place for you!!! Oh, and please dont bother them when they are meeting with their sales reps. They are much more important than actual sales.Update : my wife waited in for 45 minutes and the doctor never came. We went in with our newborn baby and were treated horribly. Completely ridiculous. We ended up just leaving to never return. If you want to be treated poorly, this is the place to go. I would never recommend anyone in Champaign Urbana go here. Worst experience ever.

Im a student at UIUC, my pair of glasses lost a screw in one of the lens frames.I just needed someone to put a screw in and these people wanted me to sign a waiver, that basically said if they mess up I have to pay for the damages. It was an incredibly unprofessional and pointless waiver.Not to mention, all 3 ladies working up at the desk were incredibly rude. They have an extremely haughty, too good for you vibe. I was extremely polite and they continuously exchanged glances and were very disrespectful.I imagine they are very good to their regular customers, but if you are new in town I would recommend any other place then Kessler.

A calm and professional process throughout.

If you are in Central Illinois, Kessler Optical is the place to go for the best in Eye Care and Eye Wear!! I promise you wont be disappointed!

The service is always exemplary at Kessler Optical. I highly recommend Dr. Kessler and his team!

Ive had a really pleasant mixed bag of experiences with Dr. Kesslers office the few times Ive dealt with them.To start off with the good: when I went in for a routine eye exam, they were prompt, organized, polite, and the atmosphere of the office -- although a bit upscale -- had a quiet charm to it. Dr. Kessler was polite and personable, and he seemed genuine. Didnt put on a fake smile or engage in chit-chat; he just seemed to offer what he was - a thorough, efficient man who will describe very well whats going on, while not patronizing you. I can appreciate that. I prefer it, actually.Furthermore, my second experience with his office didnt even involve physically entering the building. I travel for work and I woke up one morning 500 miles from home with blurry vision in one eye. I called to make an appointment for when I returned home, and the receptionist immediately recognized the severity of the issue. I was passed to Dr. Kessler who spoke at length with me over the phone about my symptoms and his thoughts as to what it could be, and he told me I needed to get into an optometrist/ophthalmologist as soon as possible. He even went so far as to find a few offices near where I was at the time over the phone. As if that werent enough, he continued to say that if I couldnt get an appointment with any of them, as soon as I returned home the next day to call him and he would organize something to see me that day - a day that his office was closed. Its not often you get that out of any health care professional.The only reason this isnt a glowing 5-star review is simply because -- as others have stated -- the sales rep slingin the frames is about as elitist and condescending as someone who sells hi-tech plastic could possibly be. I have a patience for sales reps because I know that they have a job to do just as anyone else does, but to be told (direct quote): If youre going to buy prescription sunglasses online youre basically wasting your money (when Im already spending over $700 on a pair of normal eyeglasses) tips the scale on the side of over the flippin top. When I said I wasnt willing to spend 4 figures on two sets of glasses I was advised to (another direct quote): Try and save your money and maybe you can come back and afford them. The idea that a person had money but wasnt willing to spend it on what this rep was selling was completely lost on this one.To tie a little bow on it all, Ive nothing but appreciation and respect for the service Dr. Kessler has provided me thus far, and as long as Im in the Champaign-Urbana arena Ill call him my optometrist, but in future Ill be avoiding his frame reps at all costs and in perpetuity.

I did not have a good experience at Kessler Optical. Im new to the area and went to Dr. Kessler for my yearly eye exam and to renew my contact/glasses prescription. Dr. Kessler decided to change the brand and size of contacts that I had been wearing for 10 years because he didnt like Acuvue Oasys. When I went back after two weeks of discomfort, I told him I wanted smaller lenses (like my old prescription) and instead he gave me BIGGER lenses, but in a different brand. After back and forth emails with his staff, giving them permission to get my old records, and a phone call to his office, I finally got the prescription I wanted in my old size and brand. Additionally, when I requested documentation of my prescription so that I could order a pair of glasses online, Dr. Kessler practically scolded me for wanting to order glasses online. I get it - he wants to sell his fancy designer glasses - but I dont need to be shamed into paying hundreds of dollars I dont have for glasses when my prescription is just going to change again in a year. Needless to say, I will be finding a different eye doctor for my check-up next year.

Always excellent service.

When I first moved back to Champaign, I asked my neighbors whom they would recommend for an eye examination and new contact lenses. The reply was overwhelmingly DR. KESSLER. My experience has been great and I highly recommend DR. Kessler if you looking for a highly professional experience, friendly support staff, patient-friendly working hours, and reasonable prices.Daniel MaherChampaign, Ill

Best selection of frames in central Illinois Ive seen. Friendly, extremely helpful and down-to-earth.

We are fortunate to have excellent eye care in Champaign. Unmatched quality and customer service. I have worn glasses most of my life and have not been to a better optomotrist. Not only that, the quality of the eyewear available in their shop is the best that I know of. Truely phenominal products like Lindberg, for example. When I experienced a detached retina, they worked with me throughout the process. I have discovered that with glasses, you get what you pay for. I expect the best and Kessler delivers.

Dr. Kessler is extremely knowledgable and his staff is very helpful.

Travelled to Urbana but my son forgot contact lenses in NY. Kessler Optical right away helped us. Our optometrist from NY faxed over the prescription and within minutes Kessler Optical had enough lenses for us to resume our trip. That is service! Thank you!

Our entire family has been seeing Dr Kessler for over 10 years! I cant imagine trusting my familys vision with anyone else.

Excellent support with eye exam and eyewear selection

5 stars on their worst day!

Good

Outstanding!