Our Family. Our Team. Our Vision. An Optical Galleria
An Optical Galleria, Our Family, Our Vision
For more than 40 years, the Pino family has been dedicated to helping people see their best. An Optical Galleria was founded by Bob and Niki Pino with one simple goal: provide exceptional eye care, expertly crafted eyewear, and personalized service that patients can't find at a chain store.
Bob began his career as an optician in Washington, D.C., in 1978. Over the next four decades, he built a reputation for precision craftsmanship, attention to detail, and putting patients first. Together, Bob and Niki combined their experience, creativity, and passion for eye care to build a family-owned practice centered on trust, quality, and lasting relationships.
A Family Tradition of Eye Care
Since opening An Optical Galleria in 2002, our family has proudly served patients throughout Maryland's Eastern Shore. Today, our Ocean City location continues that tradition by providing comprehensive eye exams, premium eyewear, contact lenses, and personalized optical care for local families and visitors alike.
Every member of our team shares the same commitment to exceptional service. We take the time to understand your vision needs, recommend the right solutions, and ensure every pair of glasses is professionally fitted for lasting comfort and clarity.
Built on Experience and Craftsmanship
Our family believes great vision begins with expert craftsmanship. That's why we continue to offer services many optical retailers no longer provide, including professional frame adjustments, repairs, custom lens solutions, and an on-site optical laboratory capable of producing many same-day glasses.
Every recommendation is backed by decades of experience and a genuine commitment to helping patients protect their vision.
From Eye Care to Hook Optics
Our passion for optics eventually led us beyond the exam room. Drawing on decades of experience, we created Hook Optics, our premium polarized sunglasses brand designed by opticians for people who love life on the water.
Hand-assembled in Ocean City, Hook Optics combines advanced lens technology with premium materials to deliver exceptional clarity, comfort, and performance. The same attention to detail that guides our patient care is built into every pair of sunglasses we create.
While our practice has grown and evolved over the years, our mission has never changed. Every patient who walks through our doors is treated like family. We remain committed to providing exceptional eye care, premium eyewear, and personalized service that helps every patient see clearly, look their best, and enjoy a lifetime of healthy vision.
Bob Pino
Bob Pino is a master optician and co-founder of An Optical Galleria with more than 40 years of experience in professional vision care. He began his career in Washington, D.C. in 1978 and quickly built a reputation for precision, craftsmanship, and exceptional patient care.
Throughout his career, Bob has specialized in helping patients find the right eyewear and lenses for their lifestyle, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of vision health. His work ranges from custom prescription eyewear to advanced lens solutions designed for comfort, clarity, and long-term eye protection.
As the foundation of An Optical Galleria, Bob’s dedication to quality eyecare and premium eyewear continues to shape the practice. Patients trust his experience, attention to detail, and commitment to helping every person see their very best.
Bob’s expertise in eyewear isn’t his only passion
Bob’s expertise in eyewear isn’t his only passion, he’s also an avid fisherman who finds inspiration on the water. His love for fishing fuels his dedication to creating eyewear that meets the demands of outdoor enthusiasts. Whether crafting lenses for clarity or designing frames built for adventure, Bob’s understanding of both fishing and optics ensures that every pair of sunglasses delivers exceptional performance. His unique blend of technical skill and personal passion makes him an invaluable part of the Hook Optics legacy.
Niki Pino
Niki Pino is the co-founder of An Optical Galleria and a driving force behind the vision and growth of the practice. With a background in art, design, and business, she helped build the foundation of the company and shape the distinctive style that An Optical Galleria is known for today.
Her creative perspective and leadership were instrumental in developing a practice that blends premium eyewear, expert opticianry, and a welcoming patient experience. Niki’s ability to combine aesthetics with strategic business insight helped elevate An Optical Galleria into an award-winning eyecare destination.
Today, Niki focuses on guiding the vision and growth of both Hook Optics and An Optical Galleria, while continuing to uphold the legacy of exceptional eyecare and craftsmanship that defines An Optical Galleria.
Niki’s artistic vision is at the heart of An Optical Galleria’s success. With a background in art and design, she has a unique ability to blend creativity with functionality, curating eyewear collections that are as stylish as they are practical. Beyond her role as a designer, Niki is a driving force behind the business’s growth and innovation. From crafting customer-centric strategies to refining operations, her leadership ensures that every aspect of the practice reflects excellence. Her dedication to blending artistry with business development has not only elevated the brand but has also created an experience that customers love and trust.
Chris Pino
Chris Pino plays a pivotal role in the success of An Optical Galleria and Hook Optics, blending his passion for angling with a deep understanding of eyewear. As an accomplished angler, Chris brings firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by outdoor enthusiasts, allowing him to contribute to the design and functionality of Hook Optics products. Managing both Hook Optics and the Ocean City store, Chris ensures customers receive exceptional service and products tailored to their lifestyle. His innovative approach, combined with a dedication to excellence, makes him a driving force behind the family’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Captain and Angler
Chris Pino brings his deep passion for fishing and the water to every aspect of his work. As an accomplished angler and now a licensed captain, he combines hands-on expertise with leadership, ensuring Hook Optics sunglasses meet the highest standards of performance for outdoor enthusiasts. Chris’s time on the water gives him invaluable insight into the demands of anglers and adventurers alike, allowing him to contribute directly to product development. His dedication to both his craft and the family business reflects his commitment to quality, innovation, and the legacy of excellence at Hook Optics.
Anthony Pino
Anthony is a highly respected captain in the sportfishing world. With years of experience navigating the waters, Anthony embodies the adventurous spirit that inspires Hook Optics. He also provides valuable input and rigorously tests products, ensuring that Hook Optics meet the high standards demanded by the best captains in the world. His deep connection to the ocean and commitment to excellence resonate in the family’s eyewear brand, bringing a unique perspective to the business. Anthony’s passion and leadership continue to enhance the family’s dedication to quality and community.
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From local waters to offshore challenges, Anthony has led his teams to victories that reflect not only his skill but also his dedication to excellence. His ability to adapt to changing conditions, read the water, and make split-second decisions has proven invaluable in high-stakes competitions. Each win tells a story of teamwork, preparation, and Anthony’s unwavering commitment to pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Beyond the tournaments, Anthony’s influence extends to the family’s business, Hook Optics. His firsthand knowledge of the demands on the water plays a vital role in shaping the performance and design of Hook Optics sunglasses. As someone who relies on clarity and durability daily, Anthony ensures that every pair meets the high standards required by captains, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Dr. Alex Carpenter
Following the sale of the Centreville and Easton locations, those practices are now owned and operated by Dr. Carpenter, who continues caring for patients in those communities while also providing optometric care at the Ocean City location of An Optical Galleria. This transition allows the Pino family to focus on the Ocean City store and the continued growth of Hook Optics.
Dr. Carpenter, an Eastern Shore native, earned his degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland and completed his doctorate at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. His clinical training included serving veterans at the Allentown Veterans Affairs Hospital. He focuses on ocular health, systemic disease connections, and binocular vision disorders while staying current with the latest advancements in eye care.
Outside the office, he enjoys kite surfing near Assateague Island and spending time with his family.
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From local waters to offshore challenges, Anthony has led his teams to victories that reflect not only his skill but also his dedication to excellence. His ability to adapt to changing conditions, read the water, and make split-second decisions has proven invaluable in high-stakes competitions. Each win tells a story of teamwork, preparation, and Anthony’s unwavering commitment to pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Beyond the tournaments, Anthony’s influence extends to the family’s business, Hook Optics. His firsthand knowledge of the demands on the water plays a vital role in shaping the performance and design of Hook Optics sunglasses. As someone who relies on clarity and durability daily, Anthony ensures that every pair meets the high standards required by captains, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Heather
Heather is a skilled and personable optician, dedicated to helping patients see clearly and confidently. With years of experience in the optical field, she combines technical expertise with a personalized approach, ensuring each patient gets the best solution for their unique vision needs.
Heather goes beyond frame selection and lens fitting: she listens to lifestyle and visual requirements, recommends appropriate lens technologies (including high-index, progressive, and polarized options), and ensures optimal fit and comfort. Known for her warm, welcoming manner and attention to detail, Heather delivers practical, stylish eyewear that performs as well as it looks.
Bring your prescription into An Optical Galleria to meet Heather and receive vision care tailored to you.
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From local waters to offshore challenges, Anthony has led his teams to victories that reflect not only his skill but also his dedication to excellence. His ability to adapt to changing conditions, read the water, and make split-second decisions has proven invaluable in high-stakes competitions. Each win tells a story of teamwork, preparation, and Anthony’s unwavering commitment to pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Beyond the tournaments, Anthony’s influence extends to the family’s business, Hook Optics. His firsthand knowledge of the demands on the water plays a vital role in shaping the performance and design of Hook Optics sunglasses. As someone who relies on clarity and durability daily, Anthony ensures that every pair meets the high standards required by captains, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.