Dr. Carol Shields MD

Practice: Wills Eye Hospital

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Website: https://www.willseye.org

Phone: 877-289-4557

Email: healthy@willseye.org

Carol L. Shields, MD is Chief of the Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital and Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She completed her ophthalmology training at Wills Eye in 1987 and subsequently did fellowship training in ocular oncology, oculoplastic surgery, and ophthalmic pathology.

She has authored or coauthored 12 textbooks, over 1400 articles in major journals, over 300 textbook chapters, given over 700 lectureships, and many awards. The 5 most prestigious honors include:

  • The Donders Award (2003) given by the Netherlands Ophthalmological Society every 5 years to an ophthalmologist worldwide who has contributed to the field of ophthalmology. She was the first woman to receive this award.

  • The American Academy of Ophthalmology Life Achievement Honor Award (2011) for contributions to the field of ophthalmology.

  • Induction into the Academic All-American Hall of Fame (2011) for lifetime success in athleticism and career.

  • President of the International Society of Ocular Oncology (2013-2015). This is the largest international society of clinicians and basic scientists interested in ocular tumors.

  • Ophthalmology Power List 2014 and 2016, Nominated by peers as one of the top 100 leaders in the field of ophthalmology.

Dr. Shields is a member of numerous ocular oncology, pathology, and retina societies and serves on the editorial board of several peer-reviewed journals. Each year the Oncology Service manages approximately 500 patients with uveal melanoma, 120 patients with retinoblastoma, and numerous other intraocular, orbital, and conjunctival tumors from the United States and abroad.

  • Credentials:

    Board Certification

    American Board of Ophthalmology - 1989

    Academic Affiliation:

    Professor, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

  • Fellowships:

    • Wills Eye Hospital, Ocular Oncology - 1988-1989

    • Wills Eye Hospital, Ocular Pathology - 1987-1988

    • Moorfields Eye Hospital (London), Orbital & Eyelid Tumors & Reconstruction - 1988

    • Residency: Wills Eye Hospital - 1987

    • Medical School: University of Pittsburgh - 1983

    • Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame - 1979

    • Named #1 on The Ophthalmology Power List by The Ophthalmologist in 2020

    • Philadelphia magazine - Top Doctors - 2011 -current

    • Castle Connolly -America’s Top Doctors - 2014 - current

    • Newsweek’s - America’s Best Eye Doctors - 2021

    • Named - Top 100 Ophthalmologists Worldwide -The Power List? by the journal, The Ophthalmologist 2014 - current.

    • Academic All-American Hall of Fame - was inducted in 2011 for Academic All-Americans who have achieved lifetime success in their professional careers.

FAQ

At the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, we are often contacted by anxious parents or patients who are seeking information after receiving a diagnosis of Coats’ Disease. The questions below are provided as a resource to assist you as you and your doctor decide the best approach for treatment. These questions do not constitute any form of medical advice or diagnosis. Each patient is unique. An experienced retinal specialist who has examined the patient is the best source of information for diagnosis and treatment. We always recommend getting a second opinion.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor (Download PDF)

  • Ahead of any treatments or procedures, it is important to ask yourself and the doctor the following questions:

    • How do you know that this is Coats’ Disease?

    • Has your doctor treated other patients with Coats’ Disease?

    • Have you sought a second opinion? If not, please consult our Doctor Directory for knowledgeable doctors in your area.

    • What Stage of Coats’ Disease is he/she in?

    • Will his/her vision get worse over time?

    • Will the eye have pain?

    • Will his/her eye start to turn out? Is muscle corrective surgery an option?

    • Are cataracts likely?

    • How likely is glaucoma? (due to retinal detachment)

    • Is there calcification?

    • What is the anticipated disease progression?

    • Is there a thorough vision exam available?

    • Where is the vision affected? (central/peripheral/distance)

    • Does he/she have depth perception? (3D visibility)

    • What about the non-Coats’ eye?

    • To what extent is his/her vision affected?

    • Will we be able to use this as a baseline to measure progress/decline?

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