The Ophthalmic Center - Our Doctors

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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 LASIK laser vision correction.

Dr. Basilice has been invited to participate in a number of clinical trials including investigation for the multi-focal intra-ocular 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, NYS Society of Surgeons, The American Academy of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and American Congress of Glaucoma.

Michael S. Conners, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.O.

Michael S. Conners, M.D., Ph.D, a Board Certified Ophthalmolgist, 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, & 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.

Debra A. Messina, M.D., F.A.A.O.

Debra A. Messina, MD is a third generation physician who was born in Bologna, Italy. Dr. Messina is a Board Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology; specializing in comprehensive ophthalmology. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, earning her Bachelors of Science in Biology. She is a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine in 1988. After completing a required one year of medical internship at Cabrini Medical Center in Manhattan, she attended Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY for her Ophthalmology training. She served as chief resident in 1992.

Dr Messina is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, NY State Ophthalmologic Society and the Suffolk Ophthalmologic Society. She is married to George Coritsidis, MD who is Director of both the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Division of Nephrology at Elmhurst Medical Center, a Mount Sinai Hospital Affiliate. They have two children. Being civic minded, Dr Messina is on the Board of Directors for the youth group at her church, St. Paraskevi in Greenlawn and on the Board of Directors for her neighborhood association. She has been and continues to be a valued member of the staff at The Ophthalmic Center since 1992.

Therapeutic Optometrists:

Therapeutic optometrists are doctors who receive years of training and are licensed in this expert field although they are not medical doctors. The criterion that must be met by the therapeutic optometrist goes well beyond eyeglass prescriptions and contact lens fittings although these become the doctor's specialty. Therapeutic optometrists are allowed to see and treat eye emergencies and may prescribe antibiotic, steroid, and glaucoma ophthalmic medications. They must have co-managed a prescribed number of patients over a designated time-period under the tutelage of an ophthalmologist (M.D.) The optometrist must carry a special therapeutic license and must remain current in their field by continually updating their clinical training. Our therapeutic optometrists are selected by Dr. Vincent Basilice to provide an important addition to the center's commitment to expert, compassionate patient care.

Vincent E. Coltellino, O.D.

Vincent Coltellino, O.D. is a 1982 graduate of the State University of New York, College of Optometry. He served in the U.S. military for four years, two of which he was the division optometrist for the 101st airborne, where he was responsible for first line care of air assault troops and flight line personnel. For the past 12 years he has worked within Ophthalmology and private practice. He has extensive experience with the treatment of ophthalmic diseases as well as post operative care. Dr Coltellino is a member of several national, state , and local professional organizations, including The Suffolk County Optometric Society, and the American Optometric association.