Ron Watanabe, OD

Associate Professor, New England College of Optometry

Dr. Watanabe attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.  During this time Dr. Watanabe recognized that he had a passion for the field of healthcare, and decided to attend the Southern California College of Optometry, where he received his doctorate in Optometry.  Dr. Watanabe explained his decision to study optometry by saying, “after going out and seeing for myself what eye doctors actually do, I was able to get a better feel for the profession and realized that there is more to optometry than one might think … it is interesting, challenging and inspiring.”

Dr. Watanabe also elaborated on what gives him the most satisfaction as an eye doctor by emphasizing, “Treating people who have significant eye problems and being able to give them immediate visual results is very gratifying.  Helping children alleviate their symptoms by prescribing them the best optical correction also gives me great satisfaction.”  Many patients who come to Dr. Watanabe have cornea problems and can be made to see better once fitted with contact lenses.

As an attending doctor at New England Eye Institute's Fenway Practice, Dr. Watanabe passes his vast experience of expertise on to future doctors of optometry.  He currently serves as the Supervisor of the Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses.  In addition, Dr. Watanabe is an Associate Professor at the New England College of Optometry.

Dr. Watanabe currently serves as Vice Chair of the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators.  Dr. Watanabe has also performed clinical investigations for various contact lens companies, and is currently studying new technologies to better evaluate and correct optical systems.   In addition he has served as a reviewer for various industry journals, and been on the editorial board of several optometric publications. 

What is more, Dr. Watanabe is a Diplomate in the Cornea and Contact Lens Section the American Academy of Optometry, which is an honor reserved for an exclusive group of specialists who have demonstrated the highest levels of knowledge and skills in the contact lens field.

On a personal side, Dr. Watanabe enjoys all sorts of outdoor activities and spending time with his family.