Academic Retina Care, Evidence-Informed
Specialized Clinical Care for Wet AMD, Diabetic Macular Edema
and Retinal Vein Occlusion
Clinical care is provided through Precision Retina Care (PRC) by Dr. Varun Chaudhary. Retina Consultants of Hamilton (RCH) supports research, education, and knowledge translation to help integrate the latest evidence into retinal care.
evidence-Informed, academic initiative
Great retinal care extends beyond treatment. It requires evidence that informs, education that empowers, research that advances, and compassion that guides every patient journey.
Retina Consultants of Hamilton (RCH) is an academic retina organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of neovascular ("wet") age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) through collaborative research, education and knowledge translation that supports evidence-informed retinal care.
Precision Retina Care
A focused pathway for three retinal conditions.
Precision Retina Care provides focused clinical assessment and care for wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
A dedicated Rapid Assessment Pathway ensures timely assessment.
Clinical care is provided by Dr. Varun Chaudhary, through Precision Retina Care (PRC) at the Hamilton Regional Eye Institute.
specialized clinical care. academic research.
Retina Consultants of Hamilton brings together specialized clinical care and academic research to support evidence-informed retinal care and advance retinal medicine.
clinical research opportunities
Clinical Trials and Research Opportunities
Clinical research plays an important role in advancing future retinal care.
Patients receiving care through Precision Retina Care may be eligible in approved clinical research studies evaluating new therapies, advanced retinal imaging technologies and emerging approaches to the diagnosis and management of retinal disease.
Through Retina Consultants of Hamilton, collaborative clinical research contributes to new knowledge in retinal disease an helps inform future standards of care.
Participation in research is always voluntary and is never required to receive clinical care. All studies are conducted in accordance with institutional ethics approval and applicable regulatory requirements.
from discovery to care
Evidence & Innovation
Advancing retinal care begins with better evidence. RCH supports collaborative research in advanced retinal imaging, imaging biomarkers, data science, and knowledge translation to improve understanding of retinal disease and help integrate new evidence into clinical practice.
Evidence-Informed Care for Macular Disease
Specialized Macular Disease Care
Precision Retina Care provides specialized evaluation and management for patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (Wet AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Care is individualized and informed by the latest clinical evidence.
Patients are seen from Hamilton and surrounding communities, including Burlington, Brantford, Ancaster, Stoney Creek and Niagara region.
Eligible referrals are assessed through a focused referral pathway for these retinal conditions.
Need Help or Want to Learn More?
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions are managed at Precision Retina Care?
At Precision Retina Care, evaluation and management are provided for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion.
Clinical care is provided by Dr. Varun Chaudhary.
How quickly can patients be seen after referral?
Our service is structured to support timely access to care. Referrals are triaged based on clinical urgency.
How can optometrists refer a patient?
Referrals can be submitted online through our website referral portal, or by fax to 905-573-4858.
Please indicate “PRC” on the referral to support appropriate intake and triage. Patients will be contacted directly, and referring offices will receive confirmation of the appointment.
Who leads Retina Consultants of Hamilton?
Dr. Varun Chaudhary is the Director of Retina Consultants of Hamilton. Clinical care is provided by Dr. Chaudhary.
He is a vitreoretinal specialist, Professor and Head of Ophthalmology at McMaster University and City-Wide Chief of Ophthalmology for St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences.
Is the clinic involved in retinal research or clinical trials?
Dr. Chaudhary is involved in retinal research through affiliated academic programs, including the Thomas Kevill Advanced Vitreoretinal Imaging Lab where he is the Principal Investigator.
Participation in research studies or clinical trials is optional and, where applicable, is conducted through appropriate research programs and separate consent.
Retina News & Press
In the Media
Selected coverage of academic and research activities conducted through affiliated institutions.
Media content reflects third-party reporting by external organizations and is provided for informational purposes only. Research activities are conducted through affiliated institutions and are separate from clinical care.
Source: McMaster News
external CONTENT
"Canada’s first and largest-scale vision-loss study underway thanks to grant from the Juravinski Research Institute"
External article highlights research related to age-related macular degeneration conducted through academic programs.
Source: St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
externaL CONTENT
"A New $10 Million Donation Helps St. Joe’s Leverage AI to Stare Down Two of Canada’s Leading Causes of Blindness"
External article describes research initiatives in retinal imaging and artificial intelligence in age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy supported through affiliated hospital programs.
Source: McMaster News
EXTERNAL CONTENT
"Surgery professor Dr. Varun Chaudhary leads major trial for critical vision treatment"
External article describing a major, international trial in diabetic macular edema (DME)
Source: CHCH News
EXTERNAL CONTENT
"Groundbreaking research on eye health happening in Hamilton "
External video highlights "groundbreaking research" on eye health happening in Hamilton. It's aimed at fighting two of Canada's leading causes of blindness.
Source: St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation
EXTERNAL CONTENT
"Dr. Varun Chaudhary, chief of ophthalmology at St. Joe’s, receives his 100th Miracle Worker nomination"
External post highlighting Dr. Varun Chaudhary receiving his 100th Miracle Worker nomination He's one of only two physicians to receive this prestigious honour