Category Archives: Practice News

See the attached features in the Baldwin Herald and Farmingdale Observer about OCLI Bowling for a cause.

Baldwin Herald_Bowling for A Cause

Farmingdale Observer_Bowling for a Cause

On Friday June 10th, Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI) participated in a bowling event to raise money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC). Over 40 people attended the event on June 10 which raised $950.00. OCLI is a flagship sponsor of the MSABC Walk which takes place in October at Jones Beach. This year, their goal is to raise $50,000.

On Wednesday, June 8, Dr. Anzhelika Vaccaro of Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI) participated as a guest speaker and vision expert at a workshop for the Suffolk County Department of Health’s Stepping On program. Stepping On is a program that empowers older adults to carry out health behaviors that reduce the risks of falls, improve self management, and increase quality of life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) one out of every three people ages 65 and older, fall each year. Among older adults, falls are the cause of injury and hospital admission for trauma and death. Dr. Vaccaro facilitated a workshop about vision and the role vision plays in keeping one’s balance. This community-based workshop was one of several offered over the course of seven weeks using adult education and self-efficacy principals. Participating in this workshop is one way Dr. Vaccaro, a resident of Mt. Sinai, gives back to the community in which she lives and works

A board certified ophthalmologist for OCLI, Dr. Vaccaro discussed the following guidelines for vision safety and preventing a fall:

1. Regular Eye exams including screenings for cataracts and glaucoma
2. Wearing eyeglasses and making sure they are updated regularly
3. Keeping eyeglasses clean
4. Make sure lighting is sufficient
5. In the home, be aware of pets, clutter and furniture
6. When outside, scanning the environment ahead for other pedestrians, cars and bicycles

Dr. Vaccaro is a board certified ophthalmologist and a fellowship trained glaucoma specialist. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Hunter College in New York, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Dr. Vaccaro received her Medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate College of Medicine followed by an internship at the Staten Island University Hospital and an ophthalmology residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). She then served a Fellowship in Glaucoma at the prestigious New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Dr. Vaccaro worked as a Physician Assistant in Pediatrics for a private practice and later as a Research Assistant at the Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University. She has participated in several research studies and is a proud member of Sigma XI, the Scientific Research Society. Dr. Vaccaro has written several articles and co-authored a book chapter. Dr. Vaccaro has volunteered her time helping patients at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Hospital. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association, the American Medical Student Association and the American College of Physicians, also known as the American College of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Vaccaro is a former professional figure-skater trained at the Ukrainian School of Figure-Skating. She is fluent in both spoken and written Russian. Dr. Vaccaro works out of OCLI’s Port Jefferson and Stony Brook offices.

For more information, please contact OCLI at 1-866-SEE-OCLI (1-866-733-6254) or on their website www.ocli.net.

Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island’s Dr. Eric Donnenfeld featured in the Times Beacon Record Newspapers Special Section – Focus on Health article about performing the first laser cataract surgery on Long Island. Read the full article here.

Lasers make their L.I. debut for cataract surgery

Dr. Eric Donnenfeld is featured in an article about Laser Cataract Surgery in the Herald Community Newspapers – Good Health section.  See the full article here. Advanced laser surgery helps cataract patients

Dr. John Wittpenn (third from right), Dr. Jack Oats (third from left) and other staff members of Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island’s Port Jefferson and Stony Brook offices participated in the the Families Walk for Hope in Port Jefferson on May 7. The walk raised money for the Fortunato Breast Health Center at Mather Hospital. OCLI also serves as a corporate sponsor for the American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in October.

Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island’s Dr. Eric Donnenfeld is featured on Newsday.com performing Laser Cataract Surgery at Island Eye Surgicenter in Carle Place. Dr. Donnenfeld is the first surgeon in the New York Metropolitan area to perform Laser Cataract Surgery.

http://www.newsday.com/video/state-of-the-art-surgery-1.2840348

Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI), the largest ophthalmology practice on Long Island, now offers services in Inwood

Westbury, NY (April 12, 2011) – Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI) is now offering office hours in Inwood at 271 Doughty Boulevard. Doctors Raymond Mariani, Paul Galstian and Eric Verruto will be offering hours Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Continue reading →

April is Women’s Eye Health & Safety Month – Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island Offers New Test For Dry Eye Disease Which Affects 6 Million Women

According to the National Women’s Health Resource Center, about 6 million women have moderate to severe symptoms of dry eye syndrome, compared with 3 million men with such symptoms.  April is Women’s Eye Health & Safety Month, and women suffering from dry eye syndrome are encouraged to visit their ophthalmologist to learn more about dry eye disease and the treatment options available, including the TearLab® Osmolarity Test for dry eye. Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island (OCLI), one of the largest ophthalmology practices in the nation, is now an accredited laboratory under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) offering the TearLab® Osmolarity Test for dry eye disease in their Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, Valley Stream, East Meadow, Manhasset, Stony Brook and Port Jefferson offices.  The test, used in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease, enables eye care practitioners to improve standard of care by objectively and quantitatively testing for disease markers in tears at the point-of-care.

Dry eye disease is a common condition in which the eye does not produce enough tears to keep the surface of the eye sufficiently lubricated. In its mild to moderate forms, it can impact vision and the ability to go about daily activities. In its more severe forms, dry eye disease can lead to permanent loss of vision. Prevent Blindness America offers the following tips to help women avoid irritation from dry eye syndrome:

• Use a humidifier to keep natural moisture in the air.
• Avoid hair dryers, harsh winds, overly warm rooms, and cigarette smoke.
• When outdoors, wear goggles or sunglasses that wrap around the eyes.
• Use artificial tears, if directed by your doctor, especially in climates with low humidity, in air-conditioned environments, and in airplanes or cars when the heater or defroster is on.
• When using a computer, remember to blink often and give eyes a rest from staring at the screen.
• Apply a warm washcloth to soothe irritated eyes.
• Do not use harsh soaps or cleansers on or around the eye area.

The Long Island ophthalmologists of OCLI are leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at 1-866-733-6254.

Download the PDF Here