About
Dr. Clara Carwei Chan is a dedicated Ophthalmologist, committed to providing exceptional medical and surgical eye care to patients of all ages. Practicing at Providence Healthcare Hospital & Lo in Toronto, ON, she is a trusted provider of specialized eye care in the community. Her practice adheres to the high standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). As a comprehensive Ophthalmologist, she offers a full spectrum of services from routine eye examinations and vision correction to the management of complex eye diseases and surgical interventions. The clinic provides a full spectrum of eye care services, from routine vision checks to advanced surgical procedures, in a patient-friendly setting.
She graduated with a Medical Degree from Queen's University in Canada and has been practicing as an Ophthalmologist since 2010, accumulating over 14 years of specialized experience. Dr. Chan is recognized as a RCPSC Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Her extensive training and certification ensure that her patients receive expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans tailored to their specific eye health needs.
Dr. Chan’s professional philosophy centers on preserving and enhancing her patients' vision through compassionate, state-of-the-art eye care. She emphasizes educating her patients about their eye health and involving them in all treatment decisions. Utilizing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, she aims for precise and effective treatments, with a focus on early detection and management of eye diseases to prevent vision loss. Dedicated to collaborative care, she works closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient well-being. She is also proficient in Cantonese, facilitating clear and comfortable communication with her diverse patient community in Toronto.
Dr. Clara Chan provides expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of eye conditions, including:
Refractive Errors and Vision Correction
Dr. Chan addresses includes prescription of eyeglasses and contact lenses, as well as assessment for refractive surgery options.
- Presbyopia: A natural part of the aging process of the eye.
- Candidates for Refractive Surgery (e.g., LASIK, PRK, ICL): Assessment includes corneal thickness, refractive error stability, and overall eye health.
- Hyperopia (Farsightedness): A condition where near objects may appear blurry (and sometimes distant objects too) because the eye focuses images behind the retina.
Cataracts and Lens Disorders
Dr. Chan addresses primary treatment involves surgical removal of the cataract and implantation of an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
- Dislocated Intraocular Lens (IOL) or Natural Lens: May require surgical repositioning, exchange, or suturing of the lens.
- Age-Related Cataracts: The most common type of cataract.
- Congenital or Pediatric Cataracts: Can significantly impact visual development and requires prompt surgical intervention if visually significant.
Glaucoma Management
Dr. Chan addresses medical, laser, and surgical treatments aimed at lowering eye pressure to prevent further optic nerve damage.
- Angle-Closure Glaucoma (Acute or Chronic): A type of glaucoma where the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked, leading to a sudden (acute) or gradual (chronic) rise in eye pressure.
- Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Management focuses on lowering eye pressure further and addressing other potential risk factors.
- Secondary Glaucoma (e.g., due to trauma, inflammation, steroids): Glaucoma that develops as a result of another medical condition, eye injury, medication use (like steroids), or previous eye surgery.
This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation of your eye health, a consultation with Dr. Clara Chan is necessary.
- YAG Laser Capsulotomy (for Secondary Cataract): Commonly performed to address blurry vision months or years post-surgery.
- Glaucoma Screening, Diagnosis, and Monitoring: Early detection and ongoing monitoring of glaucoma progression.
- Cataract Evaluation and Surgical Management: Comprehensive assessment for cataracts, including vision testing and evaluation of lens opacity.
- Vision Testing and Prescription for Eyeglasses & Contact Lenses: Prescription and fitting of corrective lenses, including specialized contact lenses.
- Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (Femtosecond Laser): May improve corneal incisions, capsulotomy creation, and lens fragmentation.
- Emergency Eye Care Services: Urgent evaluation and treatment for acute eye injuries, sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, or infections.
Note: This list provides an overview. Specific treatments are determined after a thorough eye examination and consultation with Dr. Chan.
All ophthalmology services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) and relevant subspecialty guidelines. A referral from a physician or optometrist may be required for consultation.
Dr. Chan practices primarily at Providence Healthcare Hospital & Lo, located conveniently in Toronto’s St. James Town and Cabbagetown neighborhoods. Her clinic offers comprehensive eye care in a welcoming environment, situated close to the Art Gallery of Ontario and easily accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). The eye clinic is designed to be accessible and comfortable for all patients, ensuring a professional experience. Patients can find convenient parking options nearby. For surgical procedures, Dr. Chan collaborates with St. Michael’s Hospital, which is also situated in downtown Toronto, providing state-of-the-art surgical facilities for complex eye surgeries. The location is ideal for those seeking expert ophthalmological care in a central, accessible setting.
- What are some common eye conditions treated by Dr. Chan?
- As an Ophthalmologist, Dr. Chan manages numerous eye problems. These frequently include prescribing glasses/contacts, performing cataract surgery, treating glaucoma with medications or lasers, managing retinal issues like macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, and addressing infections or inflammations of the eye. providing comprehensive medical and surgical eye care, including the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye diseases and vision problems.
- How does Dr. Chan treat glaucoma?
- For glaucoma, Dr. Chan will develop a personalized treatment plan which can involve daily eye drop medications to reduce eye pressure, in-office laser treatments to improve fluid drainage, or surgical interventions if medications and lasers are insufficient to control the pressure and protect your vision.
- Does Dr. Chan perform cataract surgery?
- Yes, cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures performed by Ophthalmologists like Dr. Chan. It involves removing the cloudy natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision. Dr. Chan can evaluate your cataracts and discuss the surgical options, including different types of IOLs.
- What does an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Chan specialize in?
- An Ophthalmologist, such as Dr. Chan, is a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who specializes in comprehensive eye and vision care. This includes medical diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of eye diseases and disorders, as well as prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses. a Ophthalmologist, providing comprehensive medical and surgical eye care, including the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye diseases and vision problems.
- What is the difference between an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Chan and an Optometrist?
- An Ophthalmologist like Dr. Chan is a medical doctor (MD/DO) who has completed medical school followed by residency training in ophthalmology. They are licensed to practice medicine and surgery, diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery, and prescribe medications, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. Optometrists (OD) are healthcare professionals who provide comprehensive eye care, including vision testing, prescribing corrective lenses, and diagnosing and managing certain eye abnormalities and diseases (scope varies by province/territory). They typically do not perform invasive surgery.
- Are services from Dr. Chan covered by provincial health insurance?
- Most medical and surgical eye care provided by Dr. Chan for diagnosed eye conditions is covered under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This includes treatments for diseases like cataracts and glaucoma. Routine eye check-ups for vision testing (refraction) may not be covered for all age groups unless there's an underlying medical reason. Elective cosmetic procedures are generally not covered by provincial health insurance. Medically necessary eye exams and treatments for eye diseases like glaucoma or cataracts are typically covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Routine eye exams for glasses/contacts for adults (usually ages 19-64) may not be covered unless a specific medical condition affecting the eyes is present. Elective procedures such as cosmetic eyelid surgery or refractive laser surgery (LASIK/PRK) are generally not covered. It is recommended to verify coverage specifics with Dr. Chan's office or Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
- When should I see an Ophthalmologist like Dr. Chan?
- A visit to Dr. Chan is recommended for routine eye health check-ups, particularly if you have risk factors for eye diseases. Immediate attention is needed for symptoms such as sudden loss or blurring of vision, flashes of light, an increase in floaters, eye pain, or discharge. Your primary care physician or optometrist may also refer you for specialized medical or surgical eye care.
Providence Healthcare Hospital & Lo
600 Sherbourne Street
Toronto, ON M4X 1W4
Office Phone: (416) 960-5007 | Office Fax: (416) 960-0333
Dr. Chan is a licensed Ophthalmologist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from a family physician or optometrist may be required for a consultation with Dr. Chan, particularly for services covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Verify Dr. Chan's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Chan-Clara-Carwei/0220697-82644