Dr. McCarthy was born in Boston and raised in the metro-west suburbs. After his medical training in Boston, he spent 18 years at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, where he had a busy clinical practice that focused on cataract surgery and glaucoma treatment. He taught residents and medical students both clinical and surgical skills. He was Vice Chair of the Division of Ophthalmology for more than 10 years before joining the Comprehensive Ophthalmology and Cataract Consultation Service at Mass Eye and Ear, Longwood.

In addition to his clinical and surgical interests in ophthalmology, Dr. McCarthy has served on numerous boards and committees over the years. In service to Tufts University School of Medicine, he has been a longstanding member of admission committee and the Tufts Medical Alumni Executive Council. In 2020, he will become President of the Tufts Medical Alumni Association. Dr. McCarthy is currently the chair of the New England Ophthalmological Society’s Public Health and Education Committee. He was recently elected to become president of this prestigious society in beginning in 2022.