Find a Top Optometrist Near Me in Elizabeth, NJ – Book an Appointment Instantly

Dr. Carlos Woc, OD, FAAO is a resident-trained optometrist and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, with experience in providing comprehensive eye care, including the management of ocular diseases, glaucoma, dry eye disease, refractions, and contact lenses. He has worked in diverse eye care settings, including hospitals, academic institutions, private ophthalmology practices, and optical retail practices. A proud graduate of the SUNY College of Optometry, Dr. Woc not only achieved the high BSK honors distinction but was also a Gold Key recipient. He made significant contributions to his class as a Student Council and Class Council officer, showcasing his dedication to his field. His commitment to eye care led him to a residency program in Primary Care/Community Health and Ocular Disease at NYC Health and Hospitals - Gotham Health/East New York, where rigorous training refined his expertise and cemented his dedication to providing top-tier eye care. Dr. Woc is multilingual, fluent in Spanish, Cantonese, and English, and some Mandarin, reflecting his passion for serving the diverse New York community.

Before entering the field of optometry, Dr. Woc's had a diverse corporate background and spent time as a finance project manager at Amazon, consultant at Accenture and IT auditor at Deloitte & Touche. He was a business graduate from the University of Washington - Seattle with focus in Information Systems and Accounting. Beyond his professional persona, Dr. Woc's is an avid traveler and draws inspiration from exploring new cultures and landscapes, and relishes the pleasures of diverse culinary experiences. Dr. Woc also finds enjoyment in movies, playing the guitar and piano, and participating in sports. He cherishes being able to spend time with his wife, daughter, and family.

Dr. Zhenzhu Zhao received her Doctorate of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. After graduating in 2022, she went on to complete her residency in primary care optometry with ocular disease emphasis at the Veterans Affairs Hudson Valley Health Care System, New York. Dr. Zhao is an active member of the New York State Optometric Association. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry and a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. 

Dr. Zhao was born in Guangdong, China and moved to Brooklyn, New York with her family when she was twelve. Dr. Zhao is passionate about giving back to the community that she grew up in. Dr. Zhao currently provides comprehensive eye care with a speciality in ocular disease at NY Partners Ophthalmology. She speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Dr. Ellen Ren is a residency-trained optometrist and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry with experience in comprehensive eye care, low vision, glaucoma, retinal disease, contact lens, dry eye and pediatrics. She completed her BA in Biology at the New Jersey Institute of Technology Albert Dorman Honors College, where she was a part of the accelerated optometry program and graduated Summa Cum Laude. She then went on to receive her Doctorate of Optometry from the State University of New York College of Optometry. She completed her residency in Low Vision at the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where she worked with patients with a range of end-stage ocular disease to enhance their remaining visual function. She has presented at multiple national conferences on her work in low vision. She has previous experience working at NYC Health+Hospitals/Gouverneur, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, and in private practice. 

She was previously an ice skater for the U.S. national team and has had the opportunity to represent the United States at competitions all over the world. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, yoga, baking and painting her nails. All of her passions and hobbies have shown her how valuable good functional vision can be and she hopes to help her patients improve their functional vision so that they can also do what they love. She speaks English, Mandarin Chinese, and entry level Spanish.

Vanessa Mostofsky, OD values the opportunity to provide quality eye care to all her patients. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree from SUNY College of Optometry. She completed her residency in Ocular Disease at SUNY with a focus on glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. She is also experienced in pediatric eye examinations.

Education and training

• State University of New York, Doctor of Optometry

Languages spoken

• English

Merin Abraham, OD, provides state-of-the-art ophthalmology services with an emphasis on patient-centered care at Marano Eye Care. She sees patients and treats various ocular conditions at each of the practice's three convenient locations in Denville, Livingston, and Newark, New Jersey.

Dr. Abraham received her Doctor of Optometry degree with magna cum laude honors from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2018. She then went on to complete a residency in primary care and ocular disease at the Eye Care Center of New Jersey.

Dr. Abraham enjoys providing comprehensive eye care as well as treating many ocular conditions such as dry eye syndrome, allergic conjunctivitis, and glaucoma. Her mission is to help patients resolve their eye issues and achieve their optimal vision in the process.

In her free time, Dr. Abraham enjoys traveling with her husband, hiking, concerts, and spending time with her family/friends. She looks forward to welcoming her new and returning patients at Marano Eye Care.

Vanessa Mostofsky, OD values the opportunity to provide quality eye care to all her patients. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree from SUNY College of Optometry. She completed her residency in Ocular Disease at SUNY with a focus on glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. She is also experienced in pediatric eye examinations.

Education and training

• State University of New York, Doctor of Optometry

Languages spoken

• English

Dr. Janna Stepankoff has been delivering outstanding eye care services to the underserved communities of Brooklyn for over 15 years. She is a highly skilled, qualified and experienced optometrist who earned her optometric degree from the SUNY College of Optometry in New York, NY. She further advanced her education by completing additional training at Brooklyn VA Medical Center. Dr. Stepankoff is certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.

Conditions that she treats include, but are not limited to eye infections, glaucoma, cataract, cornea problems, and diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Stepankoff devotes considerable amount of time to co-management of laser procedures with ophthalmologists. Dr. Stepankoff takes genuine interest in updating herself on various new advancements in her field so that her patients get the best and the most advanced treatments possible. She puts significant emphasis on interaction with her patients and focuses on preventive care. Her goal is to not only provide top quality eye care, but to ensure that her patients understand their health and eyes. When she is not treating patients, Dr. Stepankoff enjoys reading, travelling, and spending time with her family.

Optometrist Anna Lazarev  examines, diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. She completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college and four years of professional education at SUNY College of Optometry in New York, NY, leading to the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. Her main focus is understanding his patients’ eye care needs and providing them with the most up-to-date treatment options available. Dr. Anna Lazarev is sensitive to the uniqueness of each patient’s situation and aliment, and adapts her treatment options properly to accommodate individual needs and concerns. She gives her patients undivided, focused attention, thus she is able to deliver the best care and treatment available.

Stanislav Ilyusha, OD, is an experienced and detail-oriented optometrist. He leads the team at Vistasite Eye Care of Sheepshead Bay in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. 

Dr. Ilyusha earned his doctoral degree in optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. At Vistasite Eye Care of Sheepshead Bay, Dr. Ilyusha tends to patients struggling with various concerns, including allergic eye problems, astigmatism, corneal abrasion, and eye inflammation. 

He is also experienced in dealing with procedures like comprehensive dilated eye exams. Additionally, he is fluent in English and Russian, making him accessible to patients from various cultural backgrounds. 

Dr. Ilyusha is passionate about providing his patients with optimal and leading-edge care for their recovery and overall maintenance of eye health. He is attentive to his patient’s concerns and strives to partner with them to make eye care an integral part of their health.