Chairman

Chairman Stuart M. Rothman, OD

Stuart M. Rothman, OD

Dr. Stuart Rothman graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Science cum laude. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1979 from the State University of New York State College of Optometry. He is an associate clinical professor emeritus at the SUNY College of Optometry having taught there for 32 years. He has served the college on several committees and as president of the alumni association. He had been an instructor of record in the practice management course at the college from 1989 to 2011. He is the author of several journal articles on vision therapy and is the author of several chapters in the textbook Business Aspects of Optometry, which is the practice management text for all of the schools and colleges of optometry.

Dr. Rothman maintains a full-time private practice in optometry in Livingston, NJ. He's a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. He's a member of the American Optometric Association, the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians and the Association of Practice Management Educators. He has been the General Chairperson of the Eastern States Optometric Congress since 1996.


Vice-Chairman

Vice-Chairman Bradley R. Meltzer, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

Bradley R. Meltzer, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

Dr. Meltzer of Eye Vision Associates is a 1996 graduate of the State University of New York College of Optometry. Upon completing his education, he did a residency in Vision Therapy / Rehabilitation and Pediatrics. During his residency, he became proficient in the identification and treatment of Learning Related Vision Problems, Head Trauma and Stroke Related Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation, Strabismus, Amblyopia, Ocular Motor Dysfunction, and Accommodative Disorders. Dr. Meltzer also spent a considerable amount of time in Pediatrics and enjoys working with children of any age.
Prior to joining Eye Vision Associates, Dr. Meltzer expanded his training by working in various professional settings. He has significant experience in the treatment and management of patients with glaucoma, LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, macular degeneration, and ocular disease. He has been involved in the patient care of residents at several local nursing and adult day care facilities. Along with his time at Eye Vision Associates, Dr. Meltzer also works at the Northport VA Medical Center. At the hospital he provides vision therapy to head trauma patients and is involved in the education of the optometric residents. He is also the head optometrist for the hospital’s Center of Balance Clinic which provides a team approach to managing patients with vestibular or balance problems.


Finance

Finance Paul Bernstein, OD

Paul Bernstein, OD

Dr. Paul Bernstein is in private, group optometric practice in White Plains, New York. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at SUNY - State College of Optometry. He supervises fourth year optometry students who have chosen internships in a private practice setting. Dr. Bernstein taught both clinical and laboratory courses at SUNY - State College of Optometry until 1995. He is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). Dr. Bernstein has been in private practice for the past twenty-five years.

In 2000, Dr. Bernstein founded the Bernstein Center for Visual Performance in White Plains, New York in order to emphasize the importance that Comprehensive Visual Exams and Vision Therapy have in the development of effective reading, writing, and learning experiences. His passion is improving visual function to help people perform to their fullest innate potential in school, sports, business, and life in general.

Dr. Bernstein received his undergraduate degree from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1987 he received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University of New York - State College of Optometry in 1987. He is a Past President of the Alumni Association at his optometric alma mater. Dr. Bernstein has served as a Board member of COVD and the International Education Committee Board of COVD. He also has served on the Board of the Rotary Club of White Plains, New York, where he continues to serve as a general member of the Rotary club. Dr. Bernstein's professional affiliations include the New York State Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association Sports Vision Section, and the American Optometric Association Contact Lens Section. He has lectured to numerous professional, educational, and parent groups on the role vision plays in learning and motor development.

Dr. Paul splits his time between his primary office in White Plains, New York and his satellite office in Norwalk, Connecticut.


Webmaster

Webmaster Ilana Gelfond-Polnariev, OD

Ilana Gelfond-Polnariev, OD

Dr. Ilana Gelfond-Polnariev is a 2002 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. She completed her residency in Vision Therapy and Visual Rehabilitation from State Univeristy of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry in 2003. She was the first recipient of the Dr. Martin Birnbaum Award for outstanding knowledge and skills in behavioral optometry. Dr. Gelfond-Polnariev is an Associate Clinical Professor at SUNY College of Optometry. She continues serving the institution by supervising and teaching an externship program relating to pediatric vision and vision therapy for children and adults.

Dr. Gelfond-Polnariev is an owner of NYC Pupil practice in Staten Island, NY. Dr. Gelfond-Polnariev provides full scope optometry with emphasis on pediatric vision therapy and adult rehabilitation. She supports organized optometry by maintaining active membership with American Optometric Association, New York State Optometric Association, and College of Optometrists in Visual Development (COVD). She currently serves as a secretary for the COVD International Board of Examiners. She is a treasurer for national Beta Sigma Kappa organization, which supports research in the field of Optometry. She has recently published her first book, ABC's of How You and I See. She also published several articles on Vision and Learning in local parent magazines, as well as lectured to PTA groups, Mother's of Multiples groups, and to the graduate and undergraduate students at the City University of New York. Her primary career goal is to increase public awareness of the need for children to receive comprehensive eye exams before entering preschool.


Education

Education Robert S. Fox, OD

Robert S. Fox, OD

Robert S. Fox, O.D., F.C.O.V.D., holds a B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Doctor of Optometry degree from the SUNY-State College of Optometry. He completed a residency in Rehabilitative Optometry at the Northport V.A. Medical Center in 1986. A Fellow of the College of Optometry in Vision Development, Dr. Fox's practice in Latham, NY, is limited to developmental and rehabilitative optometry. In addition, Dr. Fox is on staff at the Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady, NY. His publications include articles in the Journal of Optometric Vision Development, Journal of Behavioral Optometry, Investigative Ophthalmology, and Brain Injury Professional.

Dr. Fox is currently the Membership chair for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) and is also a member of the COVD International Examination and Certifications Board. In the past he has served as COVD's New York State Coordinator. Dr. Fox is a member of the review board for optometry's new journal, Optometry and Visual Performance. He is on the Board of Directors for the College of Syntonic Optometry and is a Clinical Associates of the Optometric Extension Program (OEP). Dr. Fox is also a member of the New York State Optometric Association (NYSOA) and the American Optometric Association (AOA). Dr. Fox has served on the professional advisory committee of the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS). Over the years Dr Fox has received awards that include the BIANYS Founder's Award, for service to the brain injury community, and the Schenectady Rotary Club's Rotarian of the Year Award.

Dr. Fox is a frequent speaker on the topics of vision therapy and vision rehabilitation. More specifically, he lectures on the prescribing of developmental lenses and on the use of lenses and prisms in vision therapy. He also lectures on the optometric approach to the visual rehabilitation of the brain-injured patient.

When not in his office Dr. Fox enjoys golf, biking, skiing, snowboarding, and playing ice hockey. Dr. Fox resides in Niskayuna, NY, with his wife, Randy, and has two daughters, Sharon and Joanna.


Exhibits

Exhibits Miki Lyn Zilnicki, OD

Miki Lyn Zilnicki, OD

Miki Lyn Zilnicki O.D.,F.C.O.V.D., graduated with honors from the SUNY College of Optometry in New York, receiving the VSP Excellence in Primary Care and Excellence in Vision Therapy awards. She then continued her education by completing a residency in vision therapy and rehabilitation with Dr. Barry Tannen, OD. She has extensive experience in family eye care with a specialty and passion for pediatrics, vision training and neuro-rehabilitation with traumatic brain injury patients. She is an active member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and is a frequent contributing writer for Review of Optometric Business. When she is not working she is helping on her husband's family farm and spending time with her two beautiful children, Daisy & John.






Exhibits

Exhibits Kristen Tamburro, OD

Kristen Tamburro, OD

Dr. Kristen Tamburro is a 2010 graduate of The New England College of Optometry. She completed her residency in Pediatrics from the State University Of New York (SUNY) Optometry school in 2011. After completing her residency, she remained at SUNY as a Clinical Professor/ Pediatric Attending at Woodhull hospital for two years.

Dr. Tamburro has worked in private practice at Eye Vision Associates in Nesconset NY since 2012. There she practices pediatrics, primary care, and vision therapy with an emphasis on neuro-rehabilitative vision therapy.

Dr. Tamburro enjoys being a part of organized optometry through her memberships with the New York State Optometric Association (NYSOA), the American Optometric Association (AOA), the College of Vision and Development (COVD), the Optometric Extension Program (OEP), and the American Academy of Optometry (AAO). She is recognized as Fellow of the College of Optometrist in Vision Development and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

She also enjoys volunteering with local children's programs to educate the public on the importance of children's eye exams through programs at local preschools, camps, and libraries. She was recognized in the June 2011 publication of The Review of Optometry: Women in Optometry for her time volunteering at St. Luke's Nursery School in Dix Hills NY, and in 2013 she was recognized as one of Long Islands "Top 30 Under 30" Young professionals by The Huntington Chamber of Commerce.

When she is not practicing optometry, she enjoys cooking, dancing, yoga, and exploring nature with her family.


Board Member - On Sabbatical

Board Member - On Sabbatical Samantha Slotnick, OD

Samantha Slotnick, OD

Dr. Samantha Slotnick practices Behavioral Optometry, a holistic approach to vision care. Her practice is in lower Westchester County, NY.

Slotnick has a diverse background, with undergraduate roots in behavioral psychology as well as physical chemistry, and post-graduate training in behavioral optometry and vision science. This dual training in art and science is the foundation for her thorough, balanced approach to patient care, maintaining attention to detail without losing sight of the big picture.

Ongoing involvement in both functional and anatomical vision research is another aspect of Dr. Slotnick's pursuits. After obtaining her doctorate in Optometry from SUNY State College of Optometry, she completed a residency in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation, also at SUNY, along with advanced studies in Vision Science. She brings a functional perspective to the vision research team at Manhattan Vision Associates Institute for Vision Research. She is an Adjunct Assistant Research Professor at the SUNY State College of Optometry, with expertise in Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomograph (SD-OCT) technology. The combination of her physical optics background and her knowledge of the visual system has supported a range of clinically-based research projects with "high-tech" ophthalmological devices. Among these is a multi-disciplinary SUNY Eye Institute collaboration, funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, utilizing SD-OCT technology to explore a retinal biomarker for Parkinson Disease.

An accomplished lecturer and author, Dr. Slotnick leads seminars and workshops on vision training for patients with Strabismus. She recently co-authored a chapter in the book Visual Diagnosis and Care of the Patient with Special Needs, entitled "Optometric Management of Functional Vision Disorders." With advanced post-graduate clinical and academic work, Dr. Slotnick has attained Fellowship in two Academic organizations: The American Academy of Optometry, and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.

Dr. Slotnick sits on the Peer Review Board of Optometry and Vision Development, the quarterly publication of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She is on the organizational board of the Eastern States Optometric Congress, providing an annual educational program dedicated to vision therapy and vision development. She provides independent education and case consultation services via online conferencing. Dr. Slotnick is also an active member of the New York State Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association.

Above all, Dr. Slotnick renders holistic care with dedication and concern for her patients' well being.