Our Optometrists
We make it a policy to ensure that all staff members are up-to-date on the latest technology and techniques to make your visit as comfortable and effective as possible.
Gwen Gnadt, O.D. F.A.A.O
Dr. Gnadt received her Doctor of Optometry degree with Honors from the University of Alabama School of Optometry. In addition, she concurrently completed a Masters in Public Health specializing in maternal and child health. She received her undergraduate degree from Memphis State University and worked in the health care field as a Medical Technologist prior to entering the profession of Optometry.
Upon graduation from optometry school, Dr. Gnadt completed a residency in rehabilitative optometry at theNorthport VA Medical Center. In that program, she received special training in low vision, vision therapy, contact lenses, head trauma rehabilitation and medical management of ocular disease.
Currently, Dr. Gnadt is a staff optometrist at the Northport VA Medical Center. She has written several papers and made numerous presentations for the profession of optometry. She is also the recipient of many optometric awards. Dr. Gnadt has participated in many eyecare service projects both locally and abroad.
Dr. Gnadt enjoys general optomety with special intersts in pediatric and geriatric optometry, low vision rehabilitation, laser vision correction and ocular disease management.
Michael J. McGovern O.D., F.A.A.O
Dr. McGovern received his Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and his Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University of New York College of Optometry. He has been well trained in all aspects of optometric care, including pediatric optometry, vision therapy, the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, surgical comanagement, geriatric optometry and contact lenses.
While in training, Dr. McGovern was the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships and was elected president of the college's Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society.
Upon graduation, Dr. McGovern spent a year in residency at the Northport VA Medical Center. During this time he was afforded the opportunity to sharpen his skills in diagnosing and managing a wide array of ocular pathologies, including glaucoma, cataract, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. He also completed rotations through the vision therapy and low vision clinics at the hospital. He was appointed to a permanent staff position upon completion of his residency.
Currently Dr. McGovern is enjoying his time at the hospital and in his private practice, as well as being the optometric consultant for a number of nursing home facilities in the area. In addition, he believes strongly in the importance of public education on vision related issues and makes himself available for lectures th PTA's, senior citizen centers and various community groups.
Bradley R. Meltzer, O.D.
Dr. Meltzer 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.
Dr. Meltzer has spoken at schools and PTA groups on identifying and helping children with reading and learning difficulties. He is very passionate about helping children alleviate their vision problems in order to perform at their maximum potential! He is a member of the local, state and national optometric associations. He is also a member of The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), Neuro-optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA), and the Optometric Extension Program (OEP).
When he is not working in the office, hospital or attending conferences, you can find him mountain biking on any of Long Island's trails!
Kristin Protosow, O.D. F.A.A.O.
Dr. Protosow received her Bachelor’s in biology at St. Joseph’s College on Long Island and her doctorate in optometry from New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA. Upon graduating she completed a residency at West Haven VA in Connecticut, the largest veteran’s blind center in the northeast. The hospital at West Haven commonly takes on the most severe low vision patients, giving them complete low vision exams and rehabilitation classes. She was also trained in ocular disease and worked closely with retinal, corneal, cataract, glaucoma and oculoplastic specialists. Dr. Protosow continued to work at West Haven after her residency was complete until she decided to move back home to Long Island last year.
She is currently certified practice low vision in the state of New York, and enjoys continuing to work with the partially sighted and legally blind in private practice. She is also involved with vision therapy at the office, and believes that a combination of low vision and vision therapy may be very helpful to a certain patient population (such as traumatically brain injured patients).
Dr. Protosow has written multiple articles on low vision and ocular health for journals such as “The Journal of the American Optometric Association”. She has also presented papers and academic posters at national conferences on these subjects. In November of 2009, she received her fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry.
Richard Soden, O.D. F.A.A.O
Dr. Soden received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the SUNY College of Optometry
Upon completion of his Doctorate, Dr. Soden elected to spend a year in a rehabilitative optometry residency program at the Northport VA Medical Center. In this capacity he was trained in the areas of low vision, contact lenses and orthoptic visual therapy for patients having eye problems as a result of strokes and other systemic diseases.
Currently, Dr. Soden is an associate clinical professor at SUNY College of Optometry and is the Associate Chief of Optometry at the Northport VA Medical Center. Dr. Soden is the Immediate Past-President of the New York State Optometric Association and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Soden is also a specialist in low vision care for the partially sighted and legally blind.
In this practice, Dr. Soden's special interests are in contact lenses, low vision therapy and orthoptic visual therapy.
