VarunChaudhary

MD, FRCSC · Vitreoretinal Surgeon

Founder and Physician Lead, Retina Consultants of Hamilton. His clinical practice focuses on the assessment and management of neovascular AMD, diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion through Precision Retina Care, while he leads research and evidence programs in the same three conditions at McMaster University.

Appointments

Roles held in Hamilton and nationally

University

Professor of Surgery and Academic Head of Ophthalmology

McMaster University

Hospital

City-wide Chief of Ophthalmology

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences

National

President, Canadian Retina Society

National, Editorial

Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology

International

Founder and Chair, Retina Evidence and Trials International Alliance (R.E.T.I.N.A.)

A global academic research initiative

Imaging

Lead, Thomas Kevill Advanced Vitreoretinal Imaging (AVI) Lab

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

The vision behind RCH

“Great retinal care extends beyond treatment. It requires evidence that informs, education that empowers, research that advances, and compassion that guides every patient journey.”

Dr. Varun Chaudhary, Founder, Retina Consultants of Hamilton

Clinical focus

Three conditions, treated through Precision Retina Care

Dr. Chaudhary’s clinical practice concentrates on three time-sensitive macular conditions. Each is assessed with multimodal retinal imaging and managed with individualized, evidence-informed treatment and structured follow-up.

nAMD

Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abnormal vessel growth beneath the macula causing fluid, bleeding and central vision loss. Treatment aims to control activity and preserve remaining vision.

DME

Diabetic Macular Edema

Fluid leaking from vessels damaged by diabetes, collecting in the macula. Earlier assessment and treatment can influence how vision holds up over time.

RVO

Retinal Vein Occlusion

A blocked retinal vein causing sudden swelling and vision change. Prompt evaluation supports timely treatment and monitoring of the affected eye.

Academic work

Research supporting clinical care

Dr. Chaudhary’s academic interest is individualized treatment approaches in neovascular AMD, diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion, the same three conditions he sees in clinic.

He serves on international scientific steering committees and data safety monitoring boards for real-world studies and phase III randomized clinical trials in AMD, DME and RVO, and sits on guideline development committees in retinal disease.

At the Thomas Kevill Advanced Vitreoretinal Imaging Lab, his work examines imaging biomarkers, disease monitoring and treatment response, how retinal images can be read to understand what a disease is doing and how it is responding.

Research is conducted through affiliated academic and institutional programs. It is separate from clinical care, and any participation is optional and requires separate consent.

Publications

160+ peer-reviewed publications

Principal investigator

International Retina Trials Consortium

Founder and chair

Retina Evidence and Trials International Alliance

Editor-in-chief

Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology

Recognition

Research awards and honours

  • NSERC Brockhouse Canada PrizeFor interdisciplinary research in science and engineering
  • Surgeon Scientist Mid-Career Research AwardMcMaster University
  • Honor and Senior Honor AwardAmerican Society of Retina Specialists
  • Award for Excellence in Ophthalmic ResearchCanadian Ophthalmological Society

For referring doctors

Precision Retina Care accepts referrals

Referrals are reviewed and triaged, and patients are contacted directly to arrange assessment and retinal imaging based on clinical urgency.

Referral Information

Referral fax

905-573-4858