Our Doctors
Meet our experienced and friendly doctors who make Newport Optical the leading provider of vision care products and services in Newport.
Francis L. Pinard, O.D.
Dr. Francis Pinard is a 1984 graduate of Saint Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont, and received his doctorate training at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He has been in practice in Newport for over 30 years. In May 2014, Dr. Pinard added Green Mountain Eye Care in Morrisville, VT to the Newport Optical family.
Dr. Pinard specializes in contact lens fitting, primary eye care, ocular trauma, and Lasik and cataract surgery consultations/co-management. Dr. Pinard also has extensive training in ocular disease management including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and ocular-systemic disease diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Pinard is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Vermont Optometric Association, and a past Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. He is the Past-President of the Vermont Optometric Association and a previous delegate to the American Optometric Association. Dr. Pinard currently serves as chairperson on the Vermont State Board of Optometrists. Dr. Pinard proudly serves as the Administrator of Vermont for the nationally recognized health care alliance, Vision Source.
Dr. Pinard has resided in the Newport area for over 35 years. He is an active member in the community. His involvement includes: Past-President Derby Lions Club, Past-President Newport Kiwanis Club, member Parish Council St. Mary Star of the Sea, and Board of Directors North Country Union High School DECA. For over 15 years, Dr. Pinard has also contributed his time to local school and youth sports organizations including Newport Town Elementary School soccer/basketball coach, North Country Junior High School soccer/basketball coach, Derby Wildcats Soccer Coach and AAU Basketball. He continues to volunteer his time in a variety of ways within the community.
Brie Hughes, O.D.
Dr. Brie Hughes is originally from central Pennsylvania, she graduated from Grove City College in 2018 with a degree in biology. After a year of working as an optometric technician, she attended Southern College of Optometry, graduating in May 2023.
During college, she was an active member of the American Optometric Student Association, College of Optometrists in Vision Development, Contact Lens Society, and Gamma Omicron, an organization focusing on empowering women in optometry.
Dr. Brie Hughes specializes in contact lens fitting, primary eye care, and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases including glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Hughes enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and swimming with her dog, Millie. Dr. Hughes also enjoys skiing and is a huge sports fan, her favorite team being the Pittsburgh Steelers!
Caroline Sutton, O.D.
Dr. Caroline Sutton was raised in northern Virginia and graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in 2018. She earned her doctorate from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated summa cum laude in 2023.
During her time in school, she was an active member of Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH), where she participated in a service trip to provide optometric care to the community of Belmopan, Belize. She was also an executive member of Beta Sigma Kappa honor society, as well as involved in academic and clinical tutoring. She completed clinical rotations at Eyesight Ophthalmic Services in Portsmouth, NH and Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC.
Dr. Caroline Sutton specializes in contact lens fitting, primary eye care, and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases including glaucoma and macular degeneration.
In her free time, Dr. Sutton enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, exploring new areas, and spending time with her friends and family.