Dr. Patel grew up in London, England. After moving to the U.S., she attended the University of California, Los Angeles where she earned her bachelor's degree in Biology. During her undergraduate career, she played for the UCLA Women's Lacrosse team. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. During training, she assisted in a keratoconus study and worked at the Aker-Kasten Cataract and Laser Institute in Boca Raton, Fla. Dr. Patel is certified to treat glaucoma.