About Us

Expertise, compassion, and a genuine commitment to eye health

Our philosophy

Connecticut Eye Physicians provides comprehensive medical and surgical eye care to support healthier vision. We focus on professionalism, compassion, and making every visit a comfortable experience. Here’s what you’ll find at our practice:

Board-certified physicians with more than 30 years of combined experience

A welcoming front-office team that treats every patient with courtesy and respect

Highly trained technical staff who listen, reassure, and help you feel at ease

Doctors who lead with empathy and give every patient personalized attention

Our staff

From the moment you arrive, our team works hard to make your visit
welcoming, comfortable, and stress-free.

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Our office staff create a welcoming, comfortable check-in experience and treat every patient with respect.

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Our technical staff are medically trained and highly knowledgeable, supporting accurate testing and smooth clinical care.

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Our opticians are trusted in the community for expertise in eyewear selection, adjustments, and personalized care.

Our services

We offer a full range of services to improve your eye health.

Comprehensive Eye Exams

Thorough eye health assessments for early detection of potential issues
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Contact Lens Exams

Specialized exams to find the best contact lenses for your eyes and ensure a proper fit
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Glaucoma Treatment

Advanced treatments to manage glaucoma and protect your eyes from further damage
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Macular Degeneration Therapy

Effective therapies to slow the progression of macular degeneration and preserve your central vision
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Diabetic Eye Treatment

Expert care to manage diabetic eye conditions and prevent complications
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Cataract Surgery

Safe and effective interventions performed by experienced surgeons to remove cataracts and restore clear eyesight
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Optical & Eyeglass Services

Complete optical services, including prescriptions and eyewear selection for comfort and style
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Dr. Thomas Beggins, MD

Ocular Disease and Cataract Surgeon 

Dr. Thomas Beggins has served the Middletown community for decades and is the Senior Attending Physician at Connecticut Eye Physicians. His career includes impactful global service as the Medical Director and Surgeon at the Lusaka Eye Hospital in Zambia — the country’s only dedicated eye hospital supported by CBMI and the WHO.

Dr. Beggins completed his medical training at New York Medical College, followed by an Internal Medicine internship at Lenox Hill Hospital and an Ophthalmology residency at St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. He has held attending surgeon roles at Hartford Hospital Surgery Center and Middlesex Hospital.

A passionate humanitarian, Dr. Beggins has performed surgeries and established ophthalmic programs in Haiti, Kenya, China, and the Dominican Republic. His work has helped bring essential eye care to underserved populations around the world.

Dr. Beggins is known for:

  • experience
  • Leadership in international ophthalmic surgery
  • Deep community involvement across Middlesex County
  • Compassionate, mission-driven patient care
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Dr. Anthony Salierno, MD

Corneal Specialist, Ocular Disease, and Primary Eye Care

Dr. Anthony Salierno is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained refractive surgeon with more than 30,000 refractive procedures performed. His background in engineering gives him a meticulous, detail-oriented approach that patients deeply trust.

Dr. Salierno graduated in the top 10% of his class at New York Medical College and served as Chief Resident at Montefiore Medical Center. He then completed advanced fellowship training in cornea and refractive surgery at the University of Florida’s Shands Medical Center.

As an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Salierno remains committed to staying at the forefront of surgical advancements.

Dr. Salierno is known for:

  • Corneal disease management
  • Precision-driven, reassuring patient communication
  • A commitment to exceptional surgical outcomes
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Dr. Meghan Kelleman, OD

Ocular Disease, Pediatric Care, and Primary Eye Care

Dr. Meghan Kelleman earned her Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and completed a residency in Ocular Disease and Primary Care at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. She provides comprehensive primary eye care and disease management for patients of all ages, including children as young as five.

Her clinical background includes internships at Wills Eye Hospital, Einstein Medical Center, Sinclair Retina Associates, and several VA hospitals. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Connecticut Association of Optometrists, and the Gold Key Honor Society, and has been recognized for her research in macular degeneration.

A lifelong Connecticut resident and UConn alumna, Dr. Kelleman enjoys community involvement, choral music, softball, and hiking with her husband and two daughters.

Dr. Kelleman is known for:

  • Primary care for children through seniors
  • Ocular disease diagnosis and management
  • Contact lens expertise
  • A warm, patient-focused approach
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Dr. James Murphy, MD

Glaucoma Specialist and Cataract Surgeon

Dr. James Murphy is a board-certified, fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist with extensive expertise in cataract surgery, advanced lens implants, laser treatments, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). He often combines cataract and glaucoma procedures to achieve the safest, strongest results for his patients.

Dr. Murphy has worked across the tri-state area, including Columbia University, New York-Presbyterian, and Yale New Haven Hospital. He also collaborates with ophthalmic companies to help develop new surgical instruments, implants, and treatment protocols.

Fluent in English and Spanish, he maintains an active interest in global medicine, medical missions, and early glaucoma detection through telemedicine.

Dr. Murphy is known for:

  • Advanced cataract and MIGS expertise
  • Experience with complex cataract and glaucoma cases
  • Compassionate, relationship-centered patient care
  • A commitment to global ophthalmology and community health