EyeCare Consultants of NJ (ECC-NJ)

Swati J. Parekh, MD, FAAO, is a highly skilled and well-rounded ophthalmologist who co-founded EyeCare Consultants of NJ (ECC-NJ) with her husband, Dr. Jai G. Parekh. She serves as Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at St. Joseph’s Health System in NJ since 2015; and has also been honored as one of the “Best Doctors of NJ” for multiple years, including 2019-2023.

A board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Swati has decades of experience in comprehensive and surgical ophthalmology. She is a proud alumna of the 7-year combined medical program at Boston University and New Jersey Medical School, where she graduated with honors. She further honed her skills through her residency and chief year at the Boston University School of Medicine, where she trained at renowned institutions such as Boston City Hospital, The Children’s Hospital of Boston, and the Boston VA Medical Center. As a Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at New York Medical College, Dr. Swati is dedicated to training medical students and residents in a variety of specialties, including primary care and emergency medicine. Her areas of expertise include women’s eye health, population health, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, ocular surface, and minimal interventional glaucoma and cataract surgery.

Patient-care with full education throughout the journey is a top focus for Dr. Swati. Fluent in English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Spanish, Dr. Swati has been recognized with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” in Ophthalmology from Women in Ophthalmology (WIO). When she’s not providing expert eye care, she enjoys spending time with her three children and two dogs.

Payal Patel, OD, FAAO, is a board-certified optometrist. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Genetics from Rutgers University (New Brunswick) in 2015. She then obtained her Doctorate of Optometry from Midwestern University, Arizona College of Optometry. She holds a fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry and is an active member of the American Optometric Association.

After graduation, Dr. Patel joined EyeCare Consultants of NJ, where she practices the full-scope of medical eye care including the treatment and management of ocular diseases, pediatric eye exams, fitting contact lenses, and collaborative perioperative surgical care. She has also contributed as a co-author of several clinical publications, with the ECCNJ team, that were presented at prestigious organizational meetings such as the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) and Retina World Congress (RWC). The research examined the role of digital technology in managing ocular diseases.

Dr. Patel prioritizes building strong relationships with her patients and ensuring they understand their diagnosis and treatment plan. In her free time, Dr. Patel enjoys cooking, dancing, traveling, taking care of her fur baby, Sophie, and spending time with friends and family.

Paul Guerriero, MD, FAAO, a board-certified retinologist, graduated with honors from Queens College (CUNY). Dr. Guerriero received his medical degree from Downstate Medical Center and gained extensive clinical and surgical experience at the world renowned New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Dr. Guerriero brings decades of extensive experience in Medical and Surgical Retina to ECC-NJ. His major professional interests are in the areas of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. He has exceptional clinical skills and utilizes the newest proven treatments for macular degeneration.