Our Doctors
Do you know the difference between an optometrist, an ophthalmologist, and an optician? An optometrist is trained and licensed to diagnose and treat many ocular diseases, writing prescriptions for glasses, contact lenses, and many topical medications used for common ocular conditions. An ophthalmologist adds surgical, including laser, treatments to the optometrist's skills. An optician fills the prescriptions for glasses written by the optometrist and the ophthalmologist. At Seacoast Eye Associates Inc., all three professions are represented and work as a team to provide the highest quality eye care.
Seacoast Eye Associates Inc. provides eyewear products and laser vision correction services in the Wakefield, Rhode Island area. The following information will provide the basic background and biographies of our professional and caring staff.
Barry Wepman
Originally from Michigan and New York City, Dr. Wepman came to Rhode Island following his residency in Ophthalmology at the Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. Initially at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Newport, he opened his private practice in association with Dr. Jack MacIver, in Wickford, in 1979. Dr. Wepman moved the practice to Wakefield in 1982, ultimately teaming with Mark Deresienski, OD, forming Seacoast Eye Associates in January 2000.
Dr. Wepman has extensive experience in all forms of ocular surgery, having performed over eight thousand procedures in the past twenty five years. Recognizing the importance of refractive surgery to the modern eye care practice, he began studying and performing LASIK in January 2000. In the Fall of 2000 Dr. Wepman was honored with an invitation to lecture and teach eye surgery in Pakistan.
Dr. Wepman resides with his wife in Wakefield. When not working, he can often be found restoring his 1864 home, or tinkering with any number of his eclectic pursuits, antique motorcycles, cars, cameras, or computers
Mark Deresienski
Dr. Deresienski was born and raised in Rocky Hill Conn. where he graduated from high school in 1967 as vice president of the National Honors Society and was a two letter graduate in baseball and soccer. He then attended Providence College where in 1971; he received his Bachelor's Degree in biology. At Providence College Mark also had a stellar career as a soccer player. Upon graduating Mark received the Mal Brown Award, Most Valuable Player award and was named Athlete of the Year.
He attended the Mass. College of Optometry in Boston and in 1975 graduated with his Doctorate of Optometry Degree and was top ten of his class. He then spent a year teaching at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in Ontario Canada. There he taught contact lens fitting and also spent 6 months running the eye clinic at the Cochener hospital in Red Lake Ontario. After this he returned to the place he always dreamed of living in, South County Rhode Island where he opened his home office in Narragansett. He married Carol and together raised three children and became active in town coaching soccer for 23 years and becoming President of the Narragansett Lions Club.
In 1999 Mark joined forces with Dr. Barry Wepman to create Seacoast Eye Associates located in the medical office building at South County hospital. For his public service Dr. Deresienski has received the Past Presidents Award as well as the Melvin Jones Award from the Lions Club and was the recipient of the Knights of the Rockingham Arch Award from the town of Narragansett for his years of public service.
Nicole Fantoni
Originally from Medway, Massachusetts Dr. Fantoni came to Rhode Island after graduating from The New England College of Optometry in Boston. She attended Fairfield University in Connecticut for her undergraduate work and while there began spending summers on Block Island. Upon completion of optometry school, Dr. Fantoni had fallen in love with Rhode Island and joined the staff of Seacoast Eye Associates Inc. in March of 2000.
Dr. Fantoni currently resides in Charlestown, Rhode Island with her husband Chris and their boxer. She continues to have strong ties to Block Island and spends one day a month providing optometric care at the Block Island Health Center. When not working she enjoys golfing and is an avid sports fan.
Sarah Levy
Doctor Levy graduated from Brown University, attended medical school at George Washington University, and completed her residency in Buffalo, NY. When her training was finished, Dr. Levy moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she worked at the Kellogg Eye Center—one of the oldest and most respected ophthalmologic institutions in the country—and where she served as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences.
Her husband, Dr. Naveh Levy, is a radiologist and is also a member of the medical staff at South County Hospital. They both share a love for New England, they developed during their college years and are pleased to have returned to raise their three sons.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are more healthful, fun and convenient than ever. Virtually every kind of contact lens is available in a disposable or planned replacement format that makes lenses healthy, affordable and simple to care for. Check out our Eyewear area to learn more...
