Designer Eyewear on Oahu, Just Over the Pali in Kailua
Handpicked frames from the world's best independent and luxury eyewear brands, fitted with ZEISS lenses and cut in our in-house lab. This is eyewear done right.
Exceptional Frames. ZEISS Lenses. Expert Hands.
Great glasses come down to three things: the frame, the lenses, and the people who bring them together. At Out to See, we take all three seriously.
The Frame
Dr. Lauren and the team hand pick every frame in the boutique from makers like LINDBERG, MYKITA, MOSCOT, and FACE À FACE.
The Lens
We pair your frame with ZEISS lenses, chosen for your prescription, your eyes, and the way you actually use them.
Explore our ZEISS lenses →The People
We take precise measurements, cut your lenses in our own lab here in Kailua, and fit the finished pair to your face. Adjustments are always free.
See inside our lab →Why people drive over the Pali for their glasses
Kailua is a short drive from town over the Pali Highway or H3. People come from Hawaii Kai, Manoa, Kakaako, Mililani, and the North Shore because this is where they find frames and lens work they can't get at the mall. Three things make the trip worth it.
The collection
LINDBERG, MYKITA, MOSCOT, Tom Ford, Face à Face, Etnia Barcelona, KREWE, and Maui Jim, hand picked by our team. We also stock smaller frames and lower bridge fits that are hard to find anywhere else.
ZEISS lenses, cut in our own lab
ZEISS makes each lens individually for your eyes. Our in house lab then cuts and fits it to your exact frame, instead of shipping it off to a distant lab. We can also put new ZEISS lenses in frames you already own.
A full time optician
Someone who knows these frames inside and out helps you choose, fits them to your face, and fine tunes them later. Adjustments are always free, no matter where you bought your glasses.
Why We Carry the Brands We Carry
We don't try to carry everything. We carry frames we would wear ourselves, and every line in the boutique earns its place the same way.
Design
A clear point of view, from the quiet precision of LINDBERG to the bold, architectural shapes of FACE À FACE.
Construction
Hinges, joints, and finishes built to hold an adjustment and last for years, like the screwless hinges on LINDBERG and MYKITA.
Materials
Titanium, stainless steel, and quality acetate that stand up to salt air, sun, and everyday island life.
Fit
Frames that sit well on real faces, with sizes and bridge options that let us fit a wide range of people.
Craftsmanship
Makers with a history of doing it right, like MOSCOT, a family business in New York since 1915.
Care After the Sale
Frames we can service, adjust, and repair for years, so the pair you love keeps fitting the way it did on day one.
That is why our collection is curated rather than crowded. Every frame on our wall is one we are ready to stand behind, fit, and care for long after you leave the store.
The brands we carry
Handmade frames from makers around the world, in titanium, stainless steel, acetate, wood and more. Every pair is fitted with ZEISS lenses cut in our own Kailua lab.
LINDBERG
Denmark · since 1983
Featherlight titanium with no screws, rivets or welds.
Explore LINDBERG →MYKITA
Berlin · since 2003
Handmade frames with a patented screwless steel hinge.
Explore MYKITA →MOSCOT
New York · since 1915
The Lemtosh, the Miltzen and a century of family craft.
Explore MOSCOT →TOM FORD
Made in Italy · since 2005
Rich acetate and the signature metal T.
Explore Tom Ford →MAUI JIM
Born in Hawaii · since 1980
Polarized sunglasses built for island light, made in your prescription.
Explore Maui Jim →FACE À FACE
Paris · since 1995
Bold, architectural frames for people who like to be noticed.
Explore Face à Face →ETNIA BARCELONA
Barcelona · since 2001
Fearless color and rich natural acetates.
Explore Etnia Barcelona →PRODESIGN DENMARK
Denmark
Clean Scandinavian design with a comfortable, everyday fit.
In the boutiqueKREWE
New Orleans · since 2013
Playful acetate optical and sunglasses with Southern soul.
Explore KREWE →VERNON GANTRY
Independent eyewear founded 2016 Queens, NY
Distinctive frames with a modern edge.
In the boutiqueSHWOOD
Portland, Oregon
Handcrafted frames made from real wood, stone and shell.
In the boutiqueOAKLEY
California
Performance eyewear for sport, water and everything in between.
See sunglasses →Collections change often. Looking for a specific brand or model? Text us and we will tell you what is in stock.
The Frame Is Only Half the Equation
A beautiful frame is what people see. The lenses are what you see through. Put an ordinary lens in an exceptional frame and you still have an ordinary pair of glasses. That is why every pair we make gets ZEISS lenses, precise measurements, and a professional fit.
Made for Your Prescription
Every ZEISS lens is made to order for your prescription, then sent to us. Nothing comes off a shelf.
Measured for Your Face and Frame
Where your pupils sit, how the frame tilts, and how far it sits from your eyes. These measurements tell the lens exactly where to put your clearest vision.
Chosen for How You Live
Screens all day, driving at night, sun on the water. We match the lens design and coatings to your day, not the other way around.
Cut and Mounted in Our Lab
We edge your lenses and mount them in your frame right here in Kailua, so we control the fit from start to finish.
How Buying Glasses Works at Out to See
Great glasses take a little more care than picking a frame off a wall. Here is exactly what happens, from the first try on to years after you take them home.
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1
Come In and Try On Anytime
Walk in any time we are open. Try on as many frames as you like. Our Optician and Dr. Lauren Mordue are in 6 days a week and can always assist. We will tell you honestly what suits your face, your style, and your prescription.
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2
Bring a Prescription, or Get One Here
Use a current prescription from any eye doctor, or book a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Lauren. Your lenses are only as good as the prescription behind them.
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3
We Measure You in Your Frame
Once you choose a frame, we adjust it to your face and take precise measurements with it on. This is the step most people never see, and the one that matters most for clear, comfortable vision.
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4
Choose Your ZEISS Lenses
We walk you through the lens designs and coatings that fit your prescription and your day, and give you the full price before anything is ordered. No surprises.
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5
Review and Sign Your Order
You review everything and sign your order on our iPad. Because every pair is made just for you, an order cannot be changed once it is placed, so we take our time here and answer every question first.
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6
ZEISS Makes Your Lenses. We Finish Them.
ZEISS makes your lenses to order and sends them to us. We cut them, mount them in your frame, and check them against your prescription in our lab. Most glasses are ready in 1 to 2 weeks. Specialty lenses can take a little longer, and we will give you a timeline when you order.
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7
Pick Up and Final Fit
We fit the finished pair to your face and make sure your vision is sharp and comfortable before you leave.
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8
For as Long as You Own Them
Adjustments, nose pad replacements, and minor repairs are always free. Stop by any time something feels off.
The People Who Make It Work
Anyone can sell a designer frame. What you are really choosing is who examines your eyes, who measures you, and who stands behind the finished pair.
Dr. Lauren Mordue
Optometrist and CofounderDr. Lauren examines your eyes and writes the prescription your lenses are built on. Together with the team, she hand picks every frame in the boutique.
Cory
OpticianCory helps you find the right frame, takes the measurements your lenses depend on, and fits your finished glasses to your face. Cory is also the person to see for every adjustment after that.
Fashionable, Functional & Genuinely Different
Out to See carries a large variety of fashionable and functional eyeglass and sunglass frames from independent makers and established luxury brands. You're welcome to use your prescription from Out to See or your outside provider to purchase eyewear — and all frames in our boutique are available as non-prescription as well.
Luxury & Handmade Eyewear
We are proud to offer handmade frames from makers all over the world — crafted from titanium, stainless steel, acetate, wood, and even seashells. These are frames built to last and designed to be noticed.
Specialty Eyewear
Need sports glasses, safety glasses, or blue light filtering glasses? We have them. Whatever your activity or work environment demands, we'll find the right frame and lens combination for it.
Options for Every Budget
We have eyewear options to suit nearly any budget — just ask. Our team will show you what's available at your price point without pressure, and we'll always be honest about where the best value is.
Repairs & Adjustments, Always Free
Frame adjustments, nosepad replacements, and minor repairs are always complimentary — regardless of where you bought your glasses. Proper fit is essential for clear, comfortable vision and we're always happy to help.
Buying Glasses at Out to See: Your Questions, Answered
Shopping for Frames
Do I need an appointment to shop for frames?
No. Walk in any time we are open: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 3pm. If you would like dedicated time with Cory, text us at (808) 501-2020 and we will set a time.
Can I use a prescription from a different eye doctor?
Absolutely. Bring a current prescription from any provider and use it for frames and lenses from our boutique. We cut and fit your lenses in our own lab no matter where your exam was done.
Can I buy frames without a prescription?
Yes. Every frame in our boutique is available without a prescription. Choose plano lenses with no correction, readers, or just the frame.
Do you have frames for smaller faces or lower nose bridges?
Yes. We stock frames in smaller sizes and with lower bridge fits, a real need for many people in Hawaii. Many of our titanium frames also have adjustable nose pads that we shape to your nose, so the frame sits where your lenses need it.
Are LINDBERG frames worth it?
For many people, yes. LINDBERG frames are made from titanium, weigh very little, and use a screwless hinge with no screws to work loose. Fitted well, they are comfortable enough to forget you are wearing them. The best way to decide is to try one on next to a heavier frame. See our LINDBERG collection.
What makes your selection different from a chain optical store?
We curate independently. Every brand we carry was chosen because we believe in it, not because of a corporate buying agreement. You will find independent makers, European designers, and heritage brands that chain stores do not carry, and every pair gets ZEISS lenses cut in our own lab.
Can you put new lenses in a frame I already own?
n most cases, yes! We’ll check your frame first to make sure it’s in good condition and suited to your prescription. We’ll then order your custom ZEISS lenses and cut them to fit your frame right here in our lab. Best of all, you can keep wearing your glasses while your new lenses are being made. Once the lenses arrive, you’ll only need to leave your frame with us for a few hours while we cut, mount, and inspect your new lenses.
Do you carry prescription sunglasses and sports eyewear?
Yes. We carry polarized sunglasses made for Hawaii light, plus sports and safety glasses, and most can be made with your prescription. See our sunglasses.
Lenses and Your Order
What lenses do you use?
We use ZEISS lenses. Each pair is made to order for your prescription, then cut and mounted in our lab. Learn about our ZEISS lens options.
How long does it take to get my glasses?
Most glasses are ready in around 2 weeks, give or take. ZEISS makes your lenses to order, then we cut, mount, and carefully inspect them in our in-house lab. Maui Jim prescription eyewear arrives complete from their lab and is often ready in about a week. Complex prescriptions, custom tints, special-order frames, and other custom requests may take additional time. We’ll let you know if we expect your order to take longer than usual.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Once an eyewear order has been placed, it cannot be canceled, as our lenses are custom made specifically for you. However, if your new eyewear isn’t working as expected, don’t worry! We have a remake period that allows us to make adjustments to things like your prescription, measurements, lens design, or lens options to help get everything just right.
What if my new glasses do not feel right?
Come back and see us. Most issues come down to fit, and adjustments are always free. If it is something else, we will check your measurements and prescription and work out the right fix with you.
Do you repair and adjust glasses I bought somewhere else?
Yes, and it is always free. Frame adjustments, nose pad replacements, and minor repairs are complimentary no matter where you bought your glasses.
Payment and Insurance
Do you accept HSA and FSA?
Yes. Prescription glasses and lenses are an eligible expense for most HSA and FSA plans. If you are unsure about yours, check with your plan administrator.
Do you take vision insurance?
We accept UHA. We do not accept VSP or EyeMed, which lets us spend more time with every patient and choose our frames and lenses freely. Some plans reimburse you for out of network purchases, so it is worth checking with yours. See pricing and insurance.
How much do glasses cost?
It depends on the frame and lenses you choose. We will always give you the full price before anything is ordered. Exam and service prices are on our pricing page.
What forms of payment do you accept?
HSA and FSA cards, major credit cards, and yes, Bitcoin.
Come See What We Have In Store.
Stop by Lau Hala Shops in Kailua and try on a few. Our team is here to help you find frames that fit your face, your life, and your budget.