Caroline R. Baumal, MD, FASRS
Board-Certified Vitreoretinal Surgeon & Retina Specialist
Caroline R. Baumal, MD, FASRS, is a nationally and internationally recognized retina specialist and board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous.
Her clinical expertise includes age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disorders, retinal detachments, macular disease, complex vitreoretinal surgery, and other diseases affecting the retina and vitreous.
Dr. Baumal has spent more than 25 years advancing the diagnosis and treatment of retinal disease through patient care, clinical research, physician education, retinal imaging research, and the development of new therapies for retinal disorders.
Retina Expertise
Dr. Baumal provides evaluation and treatment for a broad range of medical and surgical retinal conditions, including:
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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
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Diabetic retinopathy
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Macular edema
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Retinal vein and retinal artery occlusions
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Retinal tears and retinal detachments
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Macular disorders
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Complex retinal detachments
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Ocular manifestations of systemic disease
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Complex vitreoretinal conditions requiring surgery
Her research interests have included advanced retinal imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinal disease, and the development of new treatments for retinal disorders.
Education & Advanced Retina Fellowship
Board Certification & Professional Leadership
Dr. Baumal is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a Fellow of the American Society of Retina Specialists (FASRS).
Her professional career has included leadership in retina education and clinical research. She has served as a Professor of Ophthalmology at the New England Eye Center/Tufts Medical Center and previously held educational leadership roles at the New England Eye Center.
Over the course of her academic career, Dr. Baumal has helped educate and mentor more than 69 vitreoretinal fellows, contributing to the training of subsequent generations of retina specialists.
She has also been an invited lecturer at national and international ophthalmology and retina meetings.
Awards & Professional Recognition
Dr. Baumal’s contributions to retina care, research, education, and physician training have been recognized with numerous professional honors, including:
- Senior Honor Award — American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Crystal Apple Award — American Society of Retina Specialists
- Retina Hall of Fame — American Society of Retina Specialists
- Donald J. Gass Beacon of Sight Award
These honors recognize accomplishments spanning clinical retina care, research, teaching, mentorship, and contributions to the vitreoretinal specialty.
Retina Research & Clinical Trials
Research has been an important part of Dr. Baumal’s career.
Her work has focused on understanding retinal disease, improving retinal imaging and diagnostics, and investigating new medical treatments for conditions that can threaten central vision.
Research interests have included:
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Age-related macular degeneration
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Diabetic retinopathy
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Macular edema
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Retinal vascular disease
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Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
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Novel retinal imaging technologies
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Complex vitreoretinal disease
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Development of new retinal medications and therapeutic approaches
Dr. Baumal has served as a principal investigator or co-investigator in more than 40 major clinical trials and has participated in research evaluating emerging therapies for retinal disease.
AMD Research
A particularly important area of Dr. Baumal’s research has involved geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration.
She has contributed to research involving pegcetacoplan and complement inhibition for geographic atrophy, including work associated with the FILLY, OAKS, DERBY, and GALE clinical research programs.
Her research contributions have included studies examining the progression of geographic atrophy, treatment outcomes, long-term therapy, retinal imaging, and characteristics that may influence disease progression.
Publications & Academic Contributions
Dr. Baumal is a prolific author in the field of retinal disease.
She has authored or co-authored more than 185 peer-reviewed scientific publications and more than 30 book chapters covering retinal disease, retinal imaging, vitreoretinal surgery, and emerging treatments.
Her published research has appeared in leading ophthalmology journals.
Current Management of Diabetic Retinopathy
Dr. Baumal co-edited the Elsevier textbook Current Management of Diabetic Retinopathy with Jay S. Duker, MD. The textbook provides ophthalmologists and retina specialists with an evidence-based review of contemporary approaches to diabetic retinopathy, including medical therapy, laser treatment, surgical management, retinal imaging, and clinical decision-making.
Selected Research & Publications
Dr. Baumal has contributed to numerous influential studies and publications, including research involving:
Pegcetacoplan Treatment for Geographic Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Over 36 Months: Data From OAKS, DERBY, and GALE
Research examining longer-term treatment of geographic atrophy associated with AMD.
Pegcetacoplan for Geographic Atrophy Over 30 Months: Data From OAKS, DERBY, and the GALE Long-Term Extension Study
Research examining the longer-term efficacy and safety of complement inhibition for geographic atrophy.
Pegcetacoplan for the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: OAKS and DERBY Phase 3 Trials
Large multicenter clinical trials investigating treatment for geographic atrophy associated with AMD.
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Geographic Atrophy Lesion Area in Patients Receiving Pegcetacoplan Treatment or Sham
Research evaluating geographic atrophy progression and treatment response.
Sequential Optical Coherence Tomographic Angiography for Diagnosis and Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization in Multifocal Choroiditis
Research demonstrating applications of OCT angiography in diagnosing and following retinal and choroidal disease.
Her body of work reflects a longstanding interest in translating retinal imaging and clinical research into better understanding and treatment of vision-threatening retinal disease.
Commitment to Retina Education
In addition to her clinical and research work, Dr. Baumal has devoted a significant portion of her career to ophthalmic education.
She has taught residents, fellows, practicing ophthalmologists, and retina specialists and has lectured nationally and internationally on retinal disease, imaging, surgery, and emerging treatments.
Her mentorship of more than 69 vitreoretinal fellows represents an important part of her contribution to the field.
Retina Care & NH Eye Associates
Patients with retinal disease may require ongoing coordination between their primary eye care team and a vitreoretinal specialist.
NH Eye Associates collaborates with retina specialists to help patients receive appropriate evaluations, diagnostic testing, treatment, and follow-up for conditions affecting the retina and vitreous.
Dr. Caroline Baumal is employed by Retina Specialists of Boston & Wellesley and is not an employee of NH Eye Associates. Her professional relationship with NH Eye Associates allows for collaboration and continuity of care for patients requiring specialized retinal expertise.
Retina Care & NH Eye Associates
Patients with retinal disease may require ongoing coordination between their primary eye care team and a vitreoretinal specialist.
NH Eye Associates collaborates with retina specialists to help patients receive appropriate evaluations, diagnostic testing, treatment, and follow-up for conditions affecting the retina and vitreous.
Dr. Caroline Baumal is employed by Retina Specialists of Boston & Wellesley and is not an employee of NH Eye Associates. Her professional relationship with NH Eye Associates allows for collaboration and continuity of care for patients requiring specialized retinal expertise.
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Caroline Baumal
Receive specialized care for retinal conditions from Dr. Caroline Baumal, a board-certified retina specialist and vitreoretinal surgeon. Contact our team to learn more about scheduling an appointment and taking the next step toward protecting your vision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caroline R. Baumal, MD
Who is Dr. Caroline Baumal?
Dr. Caroline R. Baumal is a board-certified ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon specializing in medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous. Her expertise includes age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disorders, retinal detachment, complex vitreoretinal surgery, and advanced retinal imaging.
Is Dr. Caroline Baumal employed by NH Eye Associates?
No. Dr. Baumal is employed by Retina Specialists of Boston & Wellesley and is not an employee of NH Eye Associates. NH Eye Associates collaborates with Dr. Baumal and Retina Specialists of Boston & Wellesley in the care of appropriate retina patients.
What does Dr. Baumal specialize in?
Dr. Baumal specializes in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous. Her clinical interests include macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disease, complex retinal detachments, retinal imaging, and other medical and surgical retinal conditions.
Is Dr. Caroline Baumal a board-certified ophthalmologist?
Yes. Dr. Baumal is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has completed advanced fellowship training in both medical retina and vitreoretinal surgery.
Where did Dr. Baumal complete her retina fellowship training?
Dr. Baumal completed advanced fellowship training in Medical Retina and Laser Research at the New England Eye Center in Boston and Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.
Does Dr. Baumal treat macular degeneration?
Age-related macular degeneration is a major area of Dr. Baumal’s clinical and research expertise. Her work has included both neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry AMD.
Has Dr. Baumal conducted research on geographic atrophy?
Yes. Geographic atrophy has been an important focus of Dr. Baumal’s research. She has contributed to clinical research involving complement inhibition and pegcetacoplan, including research associated with the FILLY, OAKS, DERBY, and GALE clinical programs.
Does Dr. Baumal treat diabetic retinopathy?
Yes. Dr. Baumal has extensive clinical, research, and academic experience involving diabetic retinopathy and other complications of diabetes affecting the retina. She also co-edited the textbook Current Management of Diabetic Retinopathy.
How much research has Dr. Baumal published?
Dr. Baumal has authored or co-authored more than 185 peer-reviewed scientific papers and more than 30 book chapters related to retinal disease. Her research has included retinal imaging, AMD, geographic atrophy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disorders, and new treatments for retinal disease.
Has Dr. Baumal received awards for her work in retina?
Yes. Her professional recognition includes honors from major ophthalmology and retina organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Honor and Senior Achievement Awards, American Society of Retina Specialists Crystal Apple Award, induction into the Retina Hall of Fame, Donald J. Gass Beacon of Sight Award, and the Vit-Buckle Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
Does Dr. Baumal perform retinal surgery?
Yes. Dr. Baumal is fellowship-trained in vitreoretinal surgery and has expertise in the surgical management of retinal disease, including complex retinal detachments and other disorders involving the retina and vitreous.