July 29, 2009 (Westbury, NY) - Nadimire Jules, a second year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine, recently returned from a very special journey to Ghana, where she spent one month helping local ophthalmologists provide eye care to those living in rural villages. Nadimire traveled to Ghana through Unite for Sight, a nonprofit organization providing eye care worldwide and offering high impact hands-on public health opportunities for volunteers.

As part of her preparation, Nadimire shadowed several ophthalmologists at Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI), Long Island’s leading multi-specialty ophthalmology practice where she spent several days in their facilities to gain the additional knowledge and skills she will need while in Ghana. During her training at OCLI Nadimire saw patients with cataracts, glaucoma and other eye conditions, and observed Dr. Peter Wong and Dr. David Sachs perform several different eye surgeries at the Island Eye Surgicenter.

Dr. Wong explained, “During our time together Nadimire observed several surgical cases including Ptosis repair, Ectropion repair, and tear drainage procedures. I’m proud to have assisted Nadimire with her request, and to have provided her with the knowledge and skills she needed to help the people of Ghana who cannot avail themselves of medical eye care.”

Dr. Wong, a partner in OCLI, specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive eye and facial surgery. Dr. Wong received his Medical degree from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, where he later completed his Residency in Ophthalmology. Dr. Wong completed his Fellowship in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Eye & Facial Plastic Surgery at the Arizona Center for Eye Plastic Surgery. He is a member in many professional organizations including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association and the New York State Ophthalmology Society.

Ms. Jules remarked, “I am so grateful for the positive response that I have received from Dr. Wong and the other doctors at Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island.  I truly appreciate the opportunity to have worked with these distinguished ophthalmologists and technicians.  The skills they taught me were invaluable when I was working with the ophthalmic staff in Tamale, Ghana”.

Ms. Jules continues to fundraise on behalf of Unite for Sight, to help cover the cost of the free eye care services that they provide to patients. To make a donation, please click here.

July 29, 2009 (Westbury, NY) – Dr. Gerard D’Aversa, a partner in Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI), has been listed as one of the top doctors in Castle Connolly’s 12th edition of Top Doctors: New York Metro Area. The authoritative guide to finding the top primary care and specialty care doctors in the tri-state metropolitan New York area, Top Doctors: New York Metro Area profiles more than 6,000 top primary care and specialty care physicians in a twenty-county area spanning three states - New York, New Jersey and Connecticut - who represent the top 10% of doctors in the area in more than 65 medical specialties and subspecialties for the care and treatment of more than 2,100 diseases and medical conditions. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be included in any Castle Connolly guide or lists.

A resident of Garden City, Dr. D’Aversa is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist with vast experience in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. He graduated at the top of his class at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha, finished his residency in Ophthalmology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and completed a fellowship in cornea and external disease at the University Of Florida College Of Medicine in Gainesville. Dr. D’Aversa has served as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He specializes in performing topical, suture less, clear corneal cataract surgery; corneal transplants; and laser vision correction using the most technologically advanced flying spot excimer laser. Dr. D’Aversa’s accomplishments have been featured on television news reports, as well as being covered in the Daily News and Newsday. He has written numerous journal articles, authored a textbook chapter and has given frequent lectures locally and nationally.