About Us

Our practice has a rich history of providing quality eye care for over 75 years.  The practice was started in 1937 by Dr. Lester Thomas and was located in Kay's Jewelers on Main Street in Woonsocket.  In 1940, he moved the practice across the street into the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Building.  Dr. Thomas was drafted into the United States Army in 1942 during the Second World War.  He returned in 1945 and relocated the practice to the Stadium Building in Monument Square.

After graduating from the Massachusetts College of Optometry in 1964, Dr. Thomas Sheehan joined Dr. Thomas, his childhood optometrist.  In 1966, Dr. Sheehan was drafted into the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He resumed practice with Dr. Thomas in 1969 upon his discharge from the military.

In 1977, the practice moved to the Marquette Credit Union Building to better accommodate patients with a larger optical display area and a new testing room. After 48 years of practice Dr. Thomas retired in 1985.

The practice moved to the Plaza Center Building in 1989.  The larger space allowed for more exam rooms and offices.

In 2006, Dr. Jeffrey Kenyon graduated from the New England College of Optometry in Boston and joined Dr. Sheehan in practice.  Dr. Kenyon changed the name of the practice to Blackstone Valley Eye Care in 2007.

A longtime Woonsocket optometrist, Dr. Cheryl Landry, moved to Boston in 2009.  She entrusted the care of all her patients to Dr. Kenyon and Dr. Sheehan. 

In 2010, Dr. Sheehan retired to Florida with his wife after 46 years of practice.

In 2012, the practice was preparing to relocate to 385 Mendon Road when the building was nearly lost to a fire. In early 2013, the renovation was completed and we moved into the expanded, modern facility with easier access for our patients.