Our Practice Meet the Doctors

All of our doctors are developmental optometrists who have done residencies in vision rehabilitation and vision therapy. They all have extensive experience in helping patients recover from strokes, accidents, closed head injuries, concussions, and post neuro-surgery as well as vision problems that interfere with reading and learning.

Our doctors also share a passion for the diagnosis and treatment of vision disorders that interfere with reading, learning, 3D viewing, and other activities of daily living. This is a specialty service within optometry called developmental and functional vision care.

Michele Bessler, OD, FCOVD

Dr. Michele Bessler is board certified in Vision Development and Vision Therapy and is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She has been in practice since 1992.

Dr. Bessler was previously Assistant Clinical Professor at SUNY College of Optometry, teaching optometry students in the Pediatric, Vision Therapy and Learning Disability Clinics. Dr. Bessler is the owner and director of Long Island Optometric Vision Development, PLLC.  She is a member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association.

Shoshana B. Craig, OD

Dr. Shoshana B. Craig received her doctor of optometry degree from SUNY College of Optometry in 2001. She completed an externship in vision rehabilitation at Northport VA Medical Center and her Residency in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation from SUNY College of Optometry. She has been practicing rehabilitative and developmental optometry since 2003.

Rebecca C. Aquije, OD, FAAO

When Dr. Rebecca Aquije was a student, she worked at the New York Hall of Science which kindled her interest in biology. In addition, her personal experience with significant near-sightedness motivated her to pursue a career in optometry.

Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Aquije developed a passion for vision therapy and rehabilitation, recognizing its transformative potential in enhancing lives. Aside from its impact, she enjoys the meaningful connections she is able to make with her patients. Her experience with her own vision resulted in a profound empathy for patients facing similar visual challenges.

She received her doctorate from the SUNY College of Optometry and was the recipient for the Dr. Max Cohen Memorial Award for Commitment to Community Service. Once she had her doctorate in optometry, Dr. Aquije completed the Irwin B. Suchoff Residency Program in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation at SUNY College of Optometry. During her residency, she was the recipient of the Dr. Martin H. Birnbaum Memorial Award for Outstanding Knowledge and Skill in Behavioral Optometry.