About Our Doctors

Dr. Barry Tannen has been actively involved in Laser Vision Correction since its introduction in the United States, in 1996. He has trained with some of the most experienced Laser Surgeons in North America and has successfully managed hundreds of Laser Surgeries. He was among the first optometric physicians to have his patients treated with Laser Vision Correction in New Jersey. His experience and unparalleled ability to assess patient's specific visual needs have produced extraordinary visual results for his patients.

Dr. Tannen received his undergraduate degree from Colgate University, in Hamilton, New York and his Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, with clinical honors. While there, he won the prestigious Brock Award for clinical excellence in vision therapy. He served as an officer in the United State Public Health Service for three years.

Dr. Tannen holds several positions at the State University of New York State College of Optometry. He is an Associate Clinical Professor, the Director of the Ocular Motor and Biofeedback Clinic and a Clinical Instructor in the Vision Therapy Clinic. He also lectures to doctors and students on vision related topics nationwide, and is the co-author of the text book "Eye Movement Basics for the Clinician."

Dr. Tannen is a member of a number of professional organizations including the American Optometric Association, the New Jersey Optometric Association and the New York Optometric Association. He is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Tannen is the co-founder of EyeCare Professionals, P.C. along with Dr. Despotidis.

Dr. Nicholas Despotidis has been actively involved in Laser Vision Correction since its introduction in the United States. He has trained with some of the most experienced Laser Surgeons in North America and has successfully co-managed hundreds of Laser Surgeries. He was among the first optometric physicians to have his patients treated with Laser Vision Correction in the United States. His experience and unparalleled ability to assess patient's specific visual needs have produced extraordinary visual results for his patients.

Dr. Despotidis received his undergraduate degree from the City University of New York, at Queens College and his Doctor of Optometry Degree from The State University of New York, with honors.

While at the State University of New York, Dr. Despotidis distinguished himself by winning numerous awards. He was listed in the 1985 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and was elected to the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honorary Fraternity. Dr. Despotidis has also published clinical papers and has given a number of professional lectures.

Dr. Despotidis is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD), a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), the New Jersey State Optometric Association (NJOA), and the Optometric Extension Program (OEP).

Dr. Despotidis established his eye care practice in Hamilton Square, NJ with Dr. Barry Tannen, in 1987. His office currently serves a patient base of over 24,000 patients.

Dr. Ivan Lee has extensive experience with helping patients decide if laser vision correction is right for them. He currently directs our laser vision clinic because he’s very sensitive to the specific needs of patients considering laser vision correction. He recognizes that prescription and measurements alone do not determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery.

He’s personal and professional demeanor allows patients to feel comfortable enough to entrust their vision with his care. Dr. Lee did his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University and obtained his Doctorate of Optometry at Nova South Eastern University College of Optometry, in 1997. He completed an internship at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida and did his residency in Ocular Disease at the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Administration Medical Center in 1998.

Dr. Lee been partner within EyeCare Professionals, since 1990.

Mark H. Blecher, M.D. born and raised in suburban New York, attended Brandeis University followed by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine where he obtained his M.D. Degree in 1982. Following a year of Internal Medicine he attended the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia for his Ophthalmology residency, where during his third year he was also co-chief resident.

He joined Philadelphia Eye Associates, a general ophthalmology group practice in 1986 and continued his association with Wills Eye Hospital. He was instrumental in bringing modern refractive surgery to Wills Eye Hospital in 1990 and was one of the first to perform modern refractive surgery there. He has been actively involved in refractive surgery since, having it himself in 1995.

With the advent of LASIK, refractive surgery has taken a giant step forward and Dr. Blecher was one of the first to perform this procedure following FDA approval of the Excimer laser. He has studied with some of the most experienced LASIK surgeons in the country and has performed thousands of LASIK surgeries in the last few years. He has taught the procedure to many surgeons, and is today the medical director of TLC laser center in Mt Laurel New Jersey where he performs the majority of his refractive surgery.

Dr. Blecher has remained active teaching surgeons and residents, as well as presenting papers and giving instructional courses at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, as well as at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. He is also a member of the International Society of Refractive Surgery and has lectured abroad as well. He is also currently Senior Medical Editor of Review of Ophthalmology, a widely read and respected medical publication.

Dr. Blecher has worked closely together with Drs. Tannen, Despotidis and Lee since 1996, providing LASIK to their patients. They are very excited to have Dr. Blecher provide his expert laser care within EyeCare Professionals.