ReFocus Eye Health

Dr. Burens, originally from Cleveland, OH, earned her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at The Ohio State University, graduating with magna cum laude honors. She then went on to complete a dual degree program at Ohio State, earning both her Master of Science in Vision Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees with the highest honors, summa cum laude. During her optometric training, she received several awards recognizing her accomplishments in research, clinic, and academics, including earning the top national board score.

Dr. Burens has extensive training in surgical co-management (including cataract, LASIK, and PRK) at Davis Eye Center in Cleveland, OH. She completed her ocular disease training at the White River Junction VA Center in Vermont and manages several diseases, including diabetes, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. She is particularly interested in ocular surface disease and takes a holistic approach to managing dry eye.

At Ohio State, she held various leadership roles in organizations such as Ocular Disease, Lions Club, Low Vision Rehabilitation, AOSA, and SVOSH. She was also a Beta Kappa Sigma Honor Society and American Optometric Association Leadership Society member, earning Student Fellow distinction through the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Burens is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Connecticut Association of Ophthalmologists, and the Norwalk Lions Club. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors hiking.

Dr. Andrew Swan is a distinguished board-certified ophthalmologist renowned for his cataract and lens implant expertise. As a clinical instructor at the esteemed Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, he not only practices excellence but also imparts his knowledge to future generations of medical professionals.

Dr. Swan's exceptional academic journey is underscored by his membership in prestigious academic honor societies, including Alpha Omega Alpha and Phi Beta Kappa. His accolades extend beyond his academic achievements, as he has been honored with awards recognizing his unwavering dedication and compassionate patient care.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Swan has a profound love for travel, a passion that led him to experience and live in diverse cultures, including Spain and Venezuela. This global perspective has allowed him to become proficient in Spanish, further enhancing his ability to connect with patients from diverse backgrounds.

Locations

• Cheshire, CT
• Hamden, CT

Specialties

• Comprehensive eye exams
• Cataract surgery
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Macular degeneration
• Glaucoma

Education

Bachelor of Arts – English

Cornell University – Ithaca, NY

Medical School

State University of New York – Buffalo, NY

Internship

Hospital of St. Raphael – New Haven, CT

Residency

Ophthalmology – Yale Eye Center, Yale School of Medicine – New Haven, CT

Certifications

• American Board of Ophthalmology

Awards/Honors

• 2006 Marvin L. Sears Award for Clinical Excellence
• Transitional Intern of the Year
• Maimonides Medical Society Award – Outstanding Academic Performance
• Stephen J. Paolini Award – Dedication and Compassion in Patient Care

Introducing Dr. Karen Nipper, a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in oculoplastic surgery. She combines comprehensive ophthalmology services with a focus on reconstructive and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids and surrounding tissues.

Beyond her clinical expertise, Dr. Nipper is a respected author, her research gracing the pages of esteemed journals like Archives of Ophthalmology and the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Dr. Nipper's dedication to global eye care is evident in her volunteer work. From the sun-kissed shores of Pangasinan, Philippines, to the historic landscapes of Arequipa, Peru, she has generously donated her skills to international medical missions, leaving a trail of improved vision and grateful smiles.

In addition to her surgical prowess, Dr. Nipper is embracing aesthetics, offering services like Botox and chemical peels. Her commitment to enhancing not just the vision but also the confidence of her patients defines her as a remarkable oculoplastic lid specialist.

Locations

• Hamden, CT
• Waterbury, CT

Specialties

• Comprehensive eye exams
• Dry eye disease
• Eyelid drooping
• Lower eyelid malposition (ectropion, entropion)
• Reconstruction post-periocular skin cancer
• Eyelid lesions
• Tearing disorders
• Blepharospasm
• Cosmetic eyelid surgery
• Botox
• Chemical peels

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Phi Beta Kappa)
Vassar College – Poughkeepsie, NY

Medical School

University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine – Philadelphia, PA

Internship

Albert Einstein Medical Center – Philadelphia, PA

Residency

Ophthalmology – Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

Fellowship

Ophthalmic Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery – Marc S. Cohen, M.D., Philadelphia, PA

Certifications

• American Board of Ophthalmology

Professional Societies

• American Academy of Ophthalmology

Nehali Nanti, M.D. is a fellowship-trained glaucoma, cataract and anterior segment specialist.

She is an expert in glaucoma evaluation and treatment, including medical management, laser, and surgical procedures. She also performs cataract surgery and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

Dr. Nanti received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She completed her internal medicine internship at the prestigious UPenn Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s first hospital. She went on to complete her ophthalmology residency at Stony Brook University and served as chief resident at the Northport VA followed by a clinical and surgical glaucoma fellowship at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital.

She serves as a sessional attending for Northwell ophthalmology residents at NYC Health + Hospitals and plays an active role in surgical education.

She has published and co-authored scientific papers and posters, presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and was a recipient of the ARVO Women in Research Award.

Dr. Nanti is committed to providing personalized comprehensive, cataract and glaucoma care while providing the utmost compassion to all of her patients.

Locations:

• Hamden, CT
• Branford, CT

Specialties

• Glaucoma
• Cataract surgery
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Macular degeneration
• Dry eye
• Comprehensive eye exams

Education:

• Medical School — Rutgers New Jersey Medical School - Newark, NJ
• Internship — University of Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania Hospital - Philadelphia, PA
•  Ophthalmology Residency — Stony Brook University - Stony Brook, NY
• Glaucoma Fellowship — Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital - New York, NY

Professional Societies:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• American Glaucoma Society
• American Society of Cataract and Refractive Society
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
• Women In Ophthalmology
• American Medical Association

Dr. Paul Masi is a distinguished board-certified ophthalmologist dedicated to comprehensive eye care. As a clinical instructor at the prestigious Yale School of Medicine, he exemplifies medical and surgical ophthalmology excellence. Dr. Masi is a respected medical staff member at Yale New Haven Hospital, Connecticut Eye Surgery Center-South in Milford, and holds surgical privileges at Griffin Hospital in Derby, CT.

Dr. Masi's expertise shines in his specialization in cataract surgery, where he has skillfully performed over 10,000 procedures, consistently adopting the latest surgical techniques and cutting-edge intraocular lenses. His commitment extends to the precise diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, the meticulous detection of macular degeneration, and the expert management of glaucoma through medical and laser surgical interventions.

Locations

• Branford, CT
• Cheshire, CT
• Hamden, CT

Specialties

• Comprehensive eye exams
• Cataract surgery
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Macular degeneration
• Glaucoma

Education

Medical School

New York Medical College – Valhalla, NY

Residency

Ophthalmology – University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, NC

Certifications

• American Board of Ophthalmology

Professional Societies

• American Medical Association
• Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians
• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Dr. Margaret E. Moore is a residency-trained, board-certified optometrist specializing in comprehensive ocular health care. She has a special interest in glaucoma, dry eye disease, post-surgical care, and diseases of the retina including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. She is also well-versed in low vision care, aiding individuals with visual impairments and addressing binocular vision disorders (i.e., double vision).

Dr. Moore currently serves on the board of directors for the Connecticut Association of Ophthalmologists, the Notre Dame Alumni Club of New Haven, and as an ambassador for YoungOD Connect. She enjoys serving on advisory boards and writing articles for multiple publications, including Eyes on Eyecare and Modern Optometry.

While in optometry school, Dr. Moore served as President of the National Optometric Student Association, leading initiatives to perform essential glaucoma screenings in underserved communities. She also played an active role on the Students Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH) board, contributing to collecting and sorting donated eyeglasses from Lions Clubs. Dr. Moore's commitment to global eye health led her to Toliman, Guatemala, where she conducted eye exams to positively impact the lives of those in need. Her most recent eye care mission trip was to San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua, with VOSH-Connecticut.

Throughout her residency, Dr. Moore gained invaluable experience in various subspecialties, including the retina, glaucoma, cornea, uveitis, and neuro-ophthalmology clinics at Yale Ophthalmology. She provided critical low vision care to inpatients at the Eastern Blind Rehabilitation Center and offered optometric services to veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Moore is also recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a prestigious designation achieved after rigorous qualification assessments and an oral examination. This distinction places her among the elite, as fewer than 10% of optometrists in the United States hold this honor. She is board-certified in advanced medical optometry from the American College of Medical Optometry and was named Modern Optometry’s “One to Watch” in October of 2023.

Locations

• Branford, CT
• Cheshire, CT
• Hamden, CT

Specialties

• Comprehensive eye exams
• Low vision
• Glaucoma
• Post-surgical care
• Dry eye
• Diabetic eye disease
• Macular degeneration

Education

Bachelor of Science (Biological Science)

University of Notre Dame – Notre Dame, IN

Doctor of Optometry

Ohio State University College of Optometry – Columbus, OH

Residency

Ocular Disease, Low Vision and Acquired Brain Injury Optometry – West Haven Veterans Affairs Hospital – West Haven, CT

Professional Societies

• American Academy of Optometry
• American Optometric Association
• Connecticut Association of Ophthalmologists
• National Glaucoma Society
• American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
• Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society