Our Practice in Oneida

Dr. Matthew Allen graduated from New England College of Optometry in 1997.  He moved to Central NY in 1999 where he started working in commercial optometry for Empire Vision Centers.  In 2002 he joined Dr. John J. Costello, Sr. of Oneida, NY as an employed optometrist in a private practice setting.  In 2012 Dr. Allen purchased the practice from Dr. Costello and moved to a new office space across town.  Dr. Costello retired in 2016 and the practice has grown to be a 4 doctor practice.  Allen Eye Associates has many services including Dry Eye Treatments, Diagnosis and Management of Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration, Diabetes Eye Care and Myopia Control.  Dr. Allen feels it is crucial to stay up to date with technology and the evolution of ocular disease diagnosis and treatment.  Dr. Allen is married with 5 children and lives in Canastota, NY.  He is a NYSOA member where he has served as a local society President and a Regional Trustee.  He is currently on the NYSOA Legislative Committee.  Dr. Allen is on the Board of Directors for The Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce as well as being an Elder at The Cazenovia First Presbyterian Church.  Dr Allen enjoys rising early most mornings to get the most out the day which God has blessed him with.  He also enjoys playing golf, watching/playing baseball and basketball.  Dr. Allen aspires to write a book some day soon and to play the piano.

Dr. Jennifer Cummings joined Allen Eye Associates in 2007 after earning her Doctorate in Optometry from SUNY College of Optometry in New York City.  In that time, she has enjoyed working with patients to provide general eye care as well as diabetic eye evaluations, contact lens fittings, pediatric eye examinations, and evaluation of ocular disease.  She is originally from Central New York and attended Oneida Senior High School before obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from SUNY Geneseo.  She is happy to be back working in the community that she grew up in.

Dr. Cummings is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Mohawk Valley Chapter of the New York Optometric Association.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and raising her three young children.

Dr. Amy Wardell joined Allen Eye Associates in 2013.  Originally from Upstate NY, Dr. Wardell has extensive experience providing primary eye care, as well as treating ocular disease, having practiced in the Syracuse area for 20 years.  She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from SUNY Geneseo in Biology.  Additionally, Dr. Wardell received her Bachelor of Science in Visual Science, Master of Science in Vision Rehabilitation, and Doctorate from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia.

Dr. Wardell lives in the local area with her husband and three children.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, participating in community based events, reading and outdoor activities.

Dr. Mark A. Nelson was born and raised on a small dairy farm in Rome, New York.  He attended Utica College and earned a degree in Biology with minors in both Chemistry and Gerontology.  He then moved on to complete the accelerated Scholar’s Program at Salus University (previously the Pennsylvania College of Optometry).  His training included clinical rotations in general private practice, specialty contact lenses and low vision at Will’s Eye Hospital, and surgical co-management of ocular diseases at Einstein Hospital.

After graduation, he returned to CNY and worked for several years in private practice in Utica.  Dr. Nelson joined the team at Allen Eye in 2020 and is excited to see where this opportunity takes his career.  Outside of his passion for eye health, Dr. Nelson enjoys spending time in the Adirondacks with his family, as well as performing with his band, The Local Favorites.