Dr. Benjamin Bakall, MD, PhD

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Get to know Ophthalmologist Dr. Benjamin Bakall, who serves patients in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. Bakall is a retina specialist & a board-certified ophthalmologist who sub-specializes in the treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the eye’s retina and vitreous. He joined Associated Retina Consultants in 2013 as a medical retina and inherited retinal dystrophy specialist. 

He is the Director of the Inherited Retinal Disease and Visual Function Clinic at the Phoenix office, and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Scientific Mentor for medical student scholarly projects at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix.

Originally from Uppsala, Sweden, Dr. Bakall graduated with his medical degree from Uppsala University, Faculty of Medicine in 2003. He then earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree within the Department of Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University in 2005, and his postdoctoral research within the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at the University of Arizona in 2007.

Furthering his training, he performed his internship in general surgery and his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Arizona in 2008 and 2011, respectively. This was followed by a two-year fellowship in medical retina within the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Iowa in 2013.

Dedicated to his profession, the doctor is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). The ABO is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists in the United States of America. 

A member of the Arizona Ophthalmological Society and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Dr. Bakall has been the Medical Chair for Vision Walk Arizona-Foundation for Fighting Blindness for several years. He is also a member of the Quality Committee for Innovation Care Partners affiliated with HonorHealth.

Licensed to practice medicine in Arizona, he is affiliated with Banner Desert Medical Center, Banner Estrella Medical Center, Banner Gateway Medical Center, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are experts in the diseases, functions, and anatomy of the eye. They may provide routine care such as vision testing, as well as prescribe and fit eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, ophthalmologists are also surgeons. They repair traumatic injuries to the eye and perform cataract, glaucoma, and corneal surgery.

Throughout his line of work, Dr. Bakall has researched, published, and lectured at national meetings on numerous topics in ophthalmology and inherited retinal diseases. He has also conducted clinical trials on macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and inherited retinal diseases, and is an invited reviewer for a number of scientific journals (American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, European Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Journal of Ophthalmology, Molecular Vision, Ophthalmic Genetics, Retinal Cases and Brief Reports, and Survey of Ophthalmology).

During his free time, he enjoys traveling, exercising, and spending time with his family. He speaks English, Spanish, and Swedish.

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