She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where she was also an Arts Scholar. She completed her medical degree at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. She then completed her residency at Stanford University’s Byers Eye Institute in Palo Alto, California and her sub-specialty fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at the Casey Eye Institute of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon.

In her free time, Dr. Carmel draws, paints, and explores the outdoors with her dogs, Julie, the inspiration for this blog. She is passionate about children's and parents' health literacy and uses art as a medium for education and empowerment. She has traveled to multiple countries around the world to teach eye surgery and the basics of pediatric eye care.

Julie is an Australian Cattle Dog/ Border Collie mix who is a master couch warmer and tennis ball catcher. She lives a happy, action-packed life with her dog parents in Seattle, WA.

Disclaimer: All material on this website are the opinions of Carmel Mercado. Medical information provided on this website is for education only. The information here is NOT medical advice nor does it constitute a patient-physician relationship. These blog posts do not substitute a visit to your local ophthalmologist for treatment.