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Our Doctors
Dr. Vincent P. Basilice, M.D., F.A.A.O.
Medical Director
Vincent Prescott Basilice, MD., F.A.A.O. Medical Director: Dr Basilice, a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, has been a leader on Long Island in the field of ophthalmology for over twenty-five years. Dr. Basilice is regularly sought out as a community, organizational, and educational speaker, on a diverse array of ophthalmic topics including glaucoma and glaucoma management, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, the latest advances in cataract extraction with IOL implantation, blepharoplasty, and Laser Vision Correction.
Dr. Basilice has been invited to participate in a number of clinical trials including investigation for the multifocal intraocular lens as well as numerous other pharmaceutical test protocols. In addition, Dr. Basilice is recognized as one of the Island's foremost authorities on LASIK laser vision correction, being among the first on Long Island to regularly include the advanced technologies of WaveScan pre-surgical testing and the capabilities of the VISX Star S4 excimer laser.
Dr. Basilice is also a published authority on many aspects of ophthalmic care, with his most recent article appearing in "Refractive Eyecare for Ophthalmologists". He is familiar to New York audiences for his many radio guest appearances and is regularly invited to speak in front of health care professionals, optometrists, and ophthalmologists. Dr. Basilice is a member of numerous medical societies including the NYS Society of Surgeons, The American Academy of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the American Congress of Glaucoma.
Dr. Michael S. Conners, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.O.
Michael S. Conners, M.D., Ph.D., a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, brings expertise in the fields of Cornea and External Diseases as well as Refractive Surgery to The Ophthalmic Center. Dr. Conners is a graduate of Hofstra University and completed his medical and graduate training at New York Medical College resulting in a dual M.D., Ph.D. degree. Dr. Conners subsequently trained at the prestigious Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri. He completed fellowship training in Cornea, External Diseases and Refractive Surgery both at Washington University and the nationally recognized Minnesota Eye Consultants in Minneapolis. Dr. Conners then joined the faculty in the Department of Ophthalmology at Washington University. As an academic physician, he co-directed the Cornea service and was medical director of The Refractive Surgery Center, educating numerous physicians on advanced surgical techniques. As director of The Refractive Surgery Center, he performed thousands of refractive surgical procedures including LASIK, LASEK, PRK, and PTK.
Dr. Conners has extensive experience in routine and complex cataract surgery including the newer multifocal and accommodative lens technology. Dr. Conners' knowledge and surgical experience in corneal diseases has created national recognition. He is sought after for opinions regarding newer surgical approaches to corneal transplant and is well experienced in the newest corneal transplant procedures including Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK). Dr. Conners also has a significant interest in the treatment of dry eye and has consulted for numerous drug companies in the past.
Dr. Conners is a Long Island native, having grown up in East Meadow. He now resides in Miller Place with his wife and 3 children. Dr. Conners is an active member of many societies and associations including fellowship in The American Academy of Ophthalmology, The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, The New York State Ophthalmological Society, as well as the Suffolk County Ophthalmology Society.
Dr. Alexander Llinas, M.D., Ph.D.
Alexander Llinas, M.D., Ph.D. specializes in the treatment of glaucoma both medically and surgically. His education has been quite extensive, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University. He attended St. Andrews University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom, where he received a Ph.D. in molecular biology. Dr. Llinas also received his Medical Doctorate from New York University School of Medicine in Manhattan.
His training in ophthalmology has also been quite extensive, attending Yale University, Nassau University and Stony Brook University during his residency. Finally Dr. Llinas attended New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in Manhattan and trained with the world renowned Dr. Robert Ritch in glaucoma.
Although Dr. Llinas spends most of his time caring for his glaucoma patients, he still finds time to do research in the field. He has given many lectures to very diverse groups and continues to author papers on the subject of glaucoma.
Dr. Llinas was born in Chicago, Illinois, but spent most of his life in Manhattan. He recently moved to Long Island, where he resides with his wife Christine and his young son Paul. He is and active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology as well as the New York State Ophthalmological Society.
Dr. Joseph Crapotta, M.D.
Dr. Crapotta is a graduate of Columbia University and obtained his medical degree at New York Medical College. He completed his internship at Winthrop University Hospital and his residency at Catholic Medical center. Dr. Crapotta completed a highly competitive fellowship in Vitreo-Retinal Diseases and Surgery at University of California, San Diego Shiley Eye Center. He also served as co-director of the Retina Service at St. Louis University, Department of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Crapotta brings his expertise in complex retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration to The Ophthalmic Center in our specially designed retinal suite. He specializes in all diseases and surgery of the retina, also including retinal vascular diseases, retinal detachment repair, macular hole and epiretinal membrane surgery. Dr. Crapotta employs the newest and most successful diagnostic and treatment modalities in the management of these conditions, including use of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, retina lasers and small gauge sutureless vitrectomy techniques.
Dr. Alex J. Schaffer, O.D.
Alex J. Schaffer earned his doctorate degree in optometry from SUNY Optometry in Manhattan. His undergraduate was completed at the University of Delaware where he earned his bachelors degree in Biology.
While obtaining his degree, Dr. Schaffer interned here at The Ophthalmic Center, The Veterans Hospital in Northport, and at Family Vision Care in San Carlos, California. The majority of Dr. Schaffer's clinical experience was completed at the University Eye Center in Manhattan. In those sites, he has worked closely with both optometrists and ophthalmologists in treating diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, in addition to fitting contact lenses and providing vision therapy and rehabilitative services to patients.
Dr. Schaffer has volunteered with VOSH, in Lima Peru, as part of its mission to eliminate preventable blindness around the world by the year 2020.
Dr. Schaffer is a member of the American Optometric Association. He is a long time resident of Setauket and a graduate of Ward Melville High School. He is proud to call the Three Villages his home and hopes to provide continuing quality eye-care within the community.
For Your Convenience, we have extended our Office Hours:
| Monday | 9am - 8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 6pm |
| Friday | 8am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 9am - 2pm |
