Neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Abnormal new vessels affecting the macula.
The clinical program
Precision Retina Care (PRC)
Precision Retina Care is a specialized clinical program. It provides specialized care for neovascular age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion, retinal conditions where timely assessment and structured follow-up are important.
Wet AMD
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration
DME
Diabetic macular edema
RVO
Retinal vein occlusion
Precision Retina Care is provided by Dr. Varun Chaudhary in Hamilton. Assessment through Precision Retina Care is by referral from an optometrist or physician.
Entry to the pathway
Three conditions in focus
Assessment, retinal imaging and an evidence-informed plan are brought together within one focused pathway.
Diabetic macular edema
Fluid accumulation in the macula related to diabetes.
Retinal vein occlusion
Blockage of a retinal vein and its downstream effects.
One focused pathway
Along the pathway
Rapid assessment, specialized retinal expertise and long-term care
Patients are assessed through a dedicated Rapid Access Pathway, designed to facilitate timely evaluation for neovascular AMD, diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion. The three stages below are set out in turn on the rest of this page.
At referral
Rapid assessment
A dedicated intake route for these three conditions.
At the visit
Specialized retinal expertise
Detailed assessment on a multimodal imaging platform, with the plan discussed before the patient leaves.
Over time
Long-term care
Structured follow-up in step with the referring provider.
How it works, at referral
A dedicated intake for these three conditions
Referrals for neovascular AMD, diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion enter the Rapid Access Pathway, an intake route dedicated to these three conditions, so that each one is reviewed against the clinical urgency it presents with.
01
Referral received
Referrals are accepted from optometrists and physicians, with the findings and the clinical question that prompted them.
02
Reviewed on receipt
Each referral is reviewed as it arrives and prioritized according to the clinical urgency described.
03
Assessment arranged
Evaluation is arranged within a timeframe suited to the presentation, with imaging scheduled at the same visit where it is indicated.
04
Referring provider notified
The referring provider is informed that the referral has been received and that the patient has been booked.
How it works, at assessment
A detailed assessment on a multimodal imaging platform
Each patient’s disease is characterized in detail, neovascular AMD, diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion, using a comprehensive multimodal imaging platform within a patient-centered model of care. Imaging supports the clinical examination, establishes a baseline and is repeated over time to follow how the condition behaves.
IVFA
Intravenous fluorescein angiography
SD-OCT
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography
OCT-A
Optical coherence tomography angiography
SS-OCT
Swept-source optical coherence tomography
Wide-field OCT
Extended-field optical coherence tomography
Wide-field imaging
Wide-field retinal photography
Which modalities are used depends on the condition and the clinical question being asked at that visit.
How it works, for treatment
Treatment decisions are made while the patient is still in clinic
For patients with neovascular AMD, diabetic macular edema or retinal vein occlusion who need treatment, the imaging review, the consent discussion and the treatment decision all take place at the assessment visit.
Within the same visit
Imaging reviewed with the patient
That day’s images are shown and explained, so the patient can see what is happening in their own retina.
Full consent discussion
The nature of the proposed treatment, its benefits, its risks and the alternatives are discussed in full before anything proceeds.
A collaborative care plan
The plan is reached together with the patient, taking their circumstances and preferences into account alongside the clinical findings.
Treatment as early as the same day
Where it is medically indicated and the patient wishes to proceed, treatment can begin the same day.
Where treatment is indicated, assessment, care and treatment can take place at one visit.
How it works, collaborative long-term care
Working with referring providers
We work closely with optometrists and ophthalmologists across the region to support clear communication and coordinated patient management in neovascular AMD, diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion.
Hamilton
Burlington
Ancaster
Stoney Creek
Brantford
Niagara region
Updates to referring providers
Findings, the working diagnosis and the agreed plan are communicated back to the referring provider, and again as the plan changes.
Clinical documentation and communication
Assessment, imaging findings and treatment decisions are documented so the record travels with the patient across the circle of care.
Shared decision-making where appropriate
Management decisions are made with the patient, and with the referring provider where ongoing co-management is involved.
The goal is to support an efficient referral process while maintaining continuity of care.
Information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical advice or the clinical judgment of a patient’s treating healthcare professional.