Dr. Villavicencio is a board-specialized and fellowship-trained ophthalmologist who specializes in minimally invasive corneal transplant surgery, vision correction with advanced technology cataract surgery, including femtolaser cataract surgery, and the medical and surgical treatment of corneal and external diseases including Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy, Keratoconus, and is trained in all disciplines of comprehensive ophthalmology.

A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University with a B.A. degree in chemistry and business administration, Dr. Villavicencio earned his Doctor of Philosophy with a concentration on optical storage materials and Doctor of Medicine degrees at the University of Arizona. After completing a medical internship and ophthalmology residency at the University of Arizona, he went on to complete a fellowship in corneal transplantation, refractive surgery, and external ophthalmic diseases at the prestigious Price Vision Group in Indianapolis, IN.

Dr. Villavicencio’s training included all facets of corneal transplantation including the revolutionary Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), an ultra-thin partial thickness corneal transplant for the treatment of Fuchs’ Dystrophy and other corneal diseases that target the diseased layers of the cornea and preserve as much of the healthy cornea as possible. He has authored textbook chapters and journal articles on DMEK and has taught the procedure to established surgeons from around the world. He also serves as a consultant to eye banks for the processing of the transplant tissue.

Dr. Villavicencio performs over 1000 cataract surgeries yearly utilizing the latest intraocular implants and equipment including Femtolaser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS). He is especially attuned to patients requiring cataract surgery with ocular surface and corneal pathologies such as dry eyes, Fuchs’ Dystrophy, post Radial Keratotomy (RK), post LASIK, irregular astigmatism, and post corneal transplant. Dr. Villavicencio is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona where he mentors resident physicians in the art of cataract and corneal surgeries.

Dr. Villavicencio is the most experienced surgeon performing Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in Southern Arizona. This exciting treatment can slow or even stop the progression of Keratoconus, an often-progressive disease that leads to corneal thinning, corneal distortion, poor vision and potentially a need for a cornea transplant. Dr. Villavicencio has been performing Collagen Cross-Linking since 2014 as part of a nationwide team that resulted in the FDA approval of the procedure and device in the United States in 2016.

A Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology, member of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons, and the Cornea Society, Dr. Villavicencio has authored numerous research publications and book chapters. In addition to his duties as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona, Dr. Villavicencio also serves the Veterans at the Southern Arizona Veterans Administration Healthcare System where he is involved in the surgical and clinical training of the resident physicians. Dr. Villavicencio is committed to the highest standards of patient care and successful outcomes.

Patient praise for Dr. Villavicencio

• “Dr. V. takes wonderful care of me. He's always able to calm my worries and reassure me that I'm in good hands. I'm very thankful for him!”

• “Dr. V. is the best. He always explains things very clearly and understandably. He treats me and my wife with the highest level of both respect and humor. I have absolute and unquestionable faith in him!”

• “Dr V. is a welcoming doctor. He so very knowledgeable and explains everything very clearly. I feel as though I am in the best hands with him as my doctor.”

• “I would like to thank Dr. Villavicencio for treating my eye disease and taking care of me. He made it possible for me to see again.”

• “Dr. Villavicencio is “top of his class” in his knowledge of Ophthalmology and in his personal interaction with his patients.”