Caroline
Klaver

Prof. Caroline Klaver is a clinician-researcher at Erasmus Medical Center, Radboud University Medical Center, and the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology in Basel, Switzerland. With a background in ophthalmogenetics, medical retina, and myopia, she is a recognized leader in the field, bridging clinical practice and scientific research. In the Netherlands, she has played a pivotal role in developing Preferred Practice Patterns for retinal disorders. Prof. Klaver is a board member of EURETINA and internationally, she has contributed to the development of health outcome measures for age-related macular degeneration through ICHOM, underscoring her commitment to improving patient care globally.

Since 2011, Prof. Klaver has been at the forefront of myopia control, developing treatment regimens for progressive myopia using atropine eye drops and creating a patient management tool to monitor side effects effectively. Her research group comprises over 30 members, including postdoctoral researchers, PhD candidates, and medical students, all engaged in cutting-edge studies on complex and Mendelian eye disorders. This includes genetic-epidemiologic research on myopia, AMD, and glaucoma, as well as retinal dystrophies.

Prof. Klaver serves as the principal investigator for ophthalmology studies within large, population-based cohorts such as the Rotterdam Study and Generation R. She also leads the CREAM consortium, a global collaboration dedicated to unraveling the genetic basis of myopia, and is an active member of other international consortia such as E3, 3CC, and IAMDGC.

Her research extends beyond genetics; in Rotterdam, she has implemented multimodal ophthalmic imaging and initiated the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance image grading at the Eye-NED reading center. In 2021, Prof. Klaver launched the AMD-Life study, a pioneering lifestyle intervention project aimed at identifying how lifestyle factors can influence AMD progression. By combining clinical expertise with advanced genetic and epidemiological research, Prof. Klaver continues to shape the future of ophthalmology, advancing both scientific knowledge and patient care.