Toral Patel, OD

Instructor

Brief Bio

Dr. Toral Patel, OD, recently joined the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences in December 2022.  Dr. Patel was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Her love for medicine and eye care started as a young child, as both her parents were in the Optical industry. Dr Patel says “eye care was just part of my life growing up, so it was easy to follow in their footsteps.”

Dr. Patel earned her Bachor of Science at the University of Waterloo in 2002.  She then obtained her Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science in 2006.  She graduated with a doctorate in Optometry with honors distinction.  Her training was completed at Houston Eye Associates in Houston, TX.  She then completed an externship at the Codman Square Community Health Center in Dorchester, MA.  In 2021, Dr. Patel obtained postdoctoral certification in glaucoma.

Dr. Patel started her optometry career close to home in Belleville, Canada in private practice.  She then moved to Massachusetts with her family. Shortly after she joined an ophthalmology and optometry practice that provided her with the strong medical training required to practice in an academic setting. 

As an instructor at the UMass Memorial Eye Center, Dr. Patel has the opportunity to teach in a clinical setting.  Dr. Patel says, “Helping people see better, whether by detecting and treating eye conditions or prescribing glasses and contact lenses is the most rewarding part of my day.” With a special interest in dry eye and ocular surface disease, Dr. Patel hopes to provide excellent medical care to the community of Worcester.

Clinical Expertise

• Comprehensive eye exams
• Diabetic eye exams
• Dry eye and corneal disease
• Binocular vision exams
• General contact lens fittings

Education

• BS, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
• OD, University of Waterloo School of Optometry, Waterloo, Ontario

Certification

• National Board of Examiners in Optometry

State Licensure

• Massachusetts

Professional Societies and Affiliations

• American Academy of Optometry (AAO)
• Massachusetts Society of Optometry (MSO)

Languages

• English
• Gujarati (Indian)