Meet The Ophthalmologists At The Center for Eye Care and Optical in West Islip | Ophthalmology and Optometrys in West Islip

Gregory C. Persak, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Medical Director

Gregory C. Persak, M.D. is the Medical Director of The Center for Eye Care & Optical and Northwell Melville Surgery Center. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

Specialty: Cataract/IOL, Anterior Segment Surgery & General Ophthalmology

Gregory C. Persak, M.D. is the Medical Director of The Center for Eye Care & Optical and Northwell Melville Surgery Center. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

Gregory Persak, M.D. obtained his B.A. from Boston University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Betta Kappa. He attended Boston University Medical School and completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Dr. Persak is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and is currently on staff at Southside Hospital, and Northwell Melville Surgery Center. He has over 30 years of experience having performed thousands of cataract surgeries. He specializes in complicated cataract surgery utilizing the latest technology.

Dr. Persak is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. The numerous professional societies and organizations of which Dr. Persak is a member include the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, New York State Ophthalmological Society, Suffolk County Ophthalmological Society, Long Island Ophthalmological Society, Medical Society of New York, Research to Prevent Blindness and the American College of Surgeons.

Vitals.com has recognized him on numerous occasions with the Patient’s Choice Award, On-Time Doctor’s Award, and the Compassionate Doctor Recognition. Dr. Persak was awarded the Award of Excellence by Vytra Health Plans.

Dr. Persak is a member of the Lions Club and has participated in ophthalmic medical missions in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic providing ophthalmic surgery to the poor. He has been recognized by the president of Ecuador for his service.

'Ophthalmology is the perfect combination of medicine and surgery and the old with the new. Most importantly, it provides me with the satisfaction of making a difference in a person's life. A patient's 'thank you' after a successful eye surgery makes all the years of training worth it.'

Matthew Strachovsky, M.D

Associate Medical Director

SPECIALTY: Disorders and medical treatments of the Retina, Vitreous & Comprehensive Ophthalmology.

Matthew P. Strachovsky, M.D. is a partner and owner serving as Associate Medical Director at The Center for Eye Care and Optical. Additionally, he holds a title of Clinical Assistant Professor at both the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Stony Brook University School of Medicine.

Dr. Strachovsky is a native Long Islander, born and raised. He started his Undergraduate training in Boston, Massachusetts at Boston University and completed his studies at Stony Brook University here in Long Island. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and received special recognition for his academic excellence.

Dr. Strachovsky continued his Doctoral education at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, earning the 'MD with Recognition' designation. He completed an internship in Internal Medicine at Winthrop University Hospital in New York and went on to complete an Ophthalmology residency at Stony Brook University Hospital, where he assumed the role of Chief Resident during his final year of training.

Dr. Strachovsky did additional fellowship training in Medical Vitreoretinal disease under the mentorship of Dr. Michael O'Brien at Koch Eye Associates in Rhode Island. The program placed special emphasis on diagnosis and management of vascular disorders of the retina.

Dr. Strachovsky has presented research findings at the annual Association for Vision and Research in Ophthalmology meeting and published articles in journals including Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science and The Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology.

Dr. Strachovsky is Board Certified in Ophthalmology and is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Specialists, the Young Ophthalmologist Network, and the Leading Physicians of the World. His professional interests are centered around the management of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and diabetic eye disease. Using years of experience, he has honed a technique for giving eye injections completely pain free as all of his patients can attest.

"I think the patient physician relationship is more important than ever. Medicine is becoming increasingly corporate every year. People need to know that they can count on seeing the same doctor consistently and trust in their care. The foundation of that trust comes from developing strong relationships. In my practice, patients are my family.”

- Dr. Matthew P. Strachovsky

Bennett Y. Hong, M.D

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Bennett Hong is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist who specializes in glaucoma and cataract surgery. Dr. Hong was born and raised in Queens, New York.

Jeffrey L. Willig, M.D.

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Willig is a Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where he obtained his undergraduate degree in chemistry.

Alexander Rabinovich,M.D

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Alexander Rabinovich is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in surgery of the eyelids, orbit, and lacrimal system, as well as facial cosmetic surgery and cosmetic injections of Botox and facial fillers.

Edward J. Mohr, M.D.

Ophthalmologist

(1946-2025)
Dr. Edward Mohr was a respected colleague and dedicated ophthalmologist.
He will be remembered for his kindness, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to patient care.