UPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) — An optometrist claims he was attacked while examining a patient in his Upper East Side office.

It happened Thursday at 243 East 77th St. just before 1:30 p.m.

Dr. Ronald Goldstein says he was with a patient in the exam room when the attacker walked past the receptionist and punched him.

Goldstein, 62, fell to the floor and passed out while the patient in the chair cowered in fear.

He said he did not know his attacker, but he was not sure it was a random act as it appeared deliberate.

“It’s a very strange shock to see someone come into our office, invade our space and attack me like that,” he said. “No one here recognizes him. We don’t have any unhappy patients, so it was a very strange situation.”

Goldstein was rushed to the hospital where he received seven stitches in his forehead.

Seconds after the attack, staff members working in the office saw the suspect walking out as casually as he had entered.

They chased him to take a photo of him and thanks to their quick action, the police have photos of the suspect they are looking for.

Police are still searching for the suspect, believed to be in his 20s.

Goldstein was back at work Friday, but taking precautions like locking the front door until a patient needed to enter.

“In my wildest imagination I never thought someone would come in here and hit me, it’s just not that kind of job,” Goldstein said.

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