Dr. Ovette Villavicencio

Dr. Villavicencio, M.D., Ph.D., is a board-certified and fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in corneal disease, advanced technology cataract surgery, and minimally invasive corneal transplant procedures. His clinical expertise includes the management of complex corneal and ocular surface conditions such as Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy, keratoconus, dry eye disease, and post-refractive or post-transplant corneal irregularities. He is also trained across all areas of comprehensive ophthalmology.

Dr. Villavicencio earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and business administration from Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating magna cum laude. He went on to complete both his Doctor of Philosophy, with a focus on optical storage materials, and his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Arizona. Following his medical internship and ophthalmology residency at the University of Arizona, he completed advanced fellowship training in corneal transplantation, refractive surgery, and external eye disease at the Price Vision Group in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Throughout his career, Dr. Villavicencio has been deeply involved in the advancement of corneal transplantation techniques, with particular expertise in Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). He has authored textbook chapters and peer-reviewed publications on the procedure, taught DMEK to surgeons internationally, and served as a consultant to eye banks on transplant tissue processing.

Dr. Villavicencio has a special interest in caring for patients with complex corneal conditions undergoing cataract surgery, including those with prior LASIK or radial keratotomy, irregular astigmatism, or corneal transplant history. In addition to his clinical practice, he serves as a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona, where he mentors resident physicians in cataract and corneal surgery.

A Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Villavicencio is an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the Cornea Society. He has authored numerous scientific publications and continues to contribute to medical education through his work with the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Dr. Villavicencio is dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care, advancing surgical innovation, and achieving meaningful visual outcomes for his patients.