Tara A. McCannel

Dr. Tara A. McCannel, MD, PhD is the Director of the Ophthalmic Oncology Center at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. She specializes in Ocular Oncology and Retina and Vitreous Diseases, with clinical practice based at the Doris Stein Eye Research Center in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. McCannel is a member of several prestigious professional organizations including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the International Association of Ocular Oncology, the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology, and the American Society of Retina Specialists, as well as the Retina and Macula Societies.

Dr. McCannel earned her medical degree (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in molecular biology from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine. She completed her internship and ophthalmology residency at the University of Toronto's Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, where she served as Chief Resident in Ophthalmology. She further specialized through a two-year vitreoretinal surgical fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School.

Dr. McCannel's research focuses on ocular melanoma, retinal diseases, and innovative surgical techniques. She has pioneered new surgical treatment strategies in ocular melanoma that preserve vision while providing patients with more knowledge about their cancer. Her work spans molecular biology, clinical diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions in ocular oncology. She has contributed significantly to advancements in brachytherapy plaque techniques, with the development of the McCannel Plaque Stitch for quick removal solutions. Her research also encompasses age-related macular degeneration, Schwartz-Matsuo syndrome, and uveal melanoma patient outcomes.

Dr. McCannel has been recognized with the Super Doctors ® Southern California designation for 2023-2025. She serves on the editorial board and as a reviewer for more than a dozen medical journals. Her scholarly contributions include numerous publications in ophthalmology and ocular oncology journals, with recent work focusing on iris pathology, brachytherapy techniques, and melanoma management.

As Director of the Ophthalmic Oncology Center at UCLA, Dr. McCannel oversees clinical care, research initiatives, and educational programs in ocular oncology. She maintains active research grants and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to advance understanding and treatment of eye cancers. Her clinical expertise spans radiation oncology, retina disease care, and ophthalmic oncology, with a particular focus on vision-saving approaches for patients with eye cancer.