Dr. Carol Shields is a world-renowned leader in the field of ocular oncology with decades of pioneering contributions to eye cancer treatment. She currently serves as Chief of the Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital and Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University. After graduating with highest honors from the University of Notre Dame, where she captained the women's basketball team and earned induction into the Academic All-American Hall of Fame, she completed her medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1983. She finished her ophthalmology residency at Wills Eye Hospital in 1987 followed by specialized fellowship training in ocular oncology, pathology, and orbital reconstruction at Wills Eye and Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.
Dr. Shields has revolutionized the treatment of pediatric and adult eye cancers through her development of innovative chemotherapy delivery methods including intravenous chemoreduction, intra-arterial chemotherapy, subtenon's chemotherapy, and intravitreal chemotherapy. Her work has dramatically improved outcomes for children with retinoblastoma, preserving vision in cases where eye removal was previously the only option, and has established new standards for managing intraocular tumors. She pioneered the use of custom-designed radiotherapy devices for treating uveal melanoma, saving countless eyes from enucleation while effectively controlling cancer growth. Each year, her clinical service manages approximately 500 patients with uveal melanoma, 120 patients with retinoblastoma, and numerous other ocular tumors from across the United States and internationally.
Dr. Shields' leadership extends beyond her clinical practice as she served as President of the International Society of Ocular Oncology from 2013 to 2015 and has been instrumental in shaping global standards for ocular tumor management. Her exceptional contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors including the American Academy of Ophthalmology Life Achievement Honor Award in 2011 and the Donders Medal in 2003, making her the first female ophthalmologist worldwide to receive this distinction. She maintains active roles on editorial boards of major ophthalmology journals and continues to mentor the next generation of ocular oncologists worldwide. Dr. Shields remains at the forefront of innovation, advancing precision medicine approaches and genetic testing to further improve outcomes for patients battling eye cancers while preserving both life and vision.
