Academic Curriculum

The UBC Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences offers postgraduate medical education for doctors pursuing a career in ophthalmology. Programs begin in July of each year.
Goals of Residency Training

To produce a high-quality Ophthalmologist, a multi-faceted individual who has:

  • The ability to exercise sound clinical judgment and skills in dealing with ophthalmic medical, surgical and optical problems.
  • the ability to communicate with patients
  • the ability to recognize their limitations and has the desire to continue to update their knowledge
  • the highest ethical standards of the profession.
  • the opportunity to develop strong research skills
  • the opportunity to develop teaching skills.
  • the ability to adequately prepare for professional examination.

PGY-1 Overview

The purpose of the PGY-1 year is to provide the Ophthalmology trainee clinical exposure to a range of clinical care settings in various fields of medicine.

The UBC Ophthalmology program outlines that PGY1 Programs will provide the following (each 1 month duration):  Internal Medicine (eg CTU) or its Specialties (excludes Neurology), Pediatrics or its specialties (excludes surgical specialties), Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Neuroradiology (general Radiology is acceptable) and Plastic Surgery.  These rotations are required by the RCPSC.  Rotations may also include General Surgery, Psychiatry, Family Practice.

Particularly relevant to the field of Ophthalmology, additional rotations will include dedicated experiences in various Selectives, including Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Infectious Diseases, Dermatology, Obstetrics, Neurosurgery and/or ENT.

In addition, the PGY-1 year includes 2 months of training within in-patient and out-patient ophthalmology care, as well allotted time to complete the TORIC Ophthalmology training course.

PGY-2 Overview

Ophthalmology is a specialty which utilizes unique technology and has its own vocabulary. The PGY2 year will be spent in introductory clinical aspects of the subjects and the acquisition of the basic skills required to investigate ophthalmic disease.  The goals & objectives of the PGY-2 year include:

  1. An introduction to the basic sciences of anatomy of the eye and orbit, ocular physiology, and optics. This will be correlated with clinical cases.
  2. The use and care of ophthalmic instruments.
  3. Identification and management of common ophthalmic emergencies, including medical and surgical ophthalmic problems. On-call activities are directly supported by the combined efforts of senior residents and on-call staff physicians.
  4. An introduction to micro-surgery. This goal is supported by formalized didactive and hands-on teaching.
  5. The development of an approach to clinical problem-solving and diagnostic skills. Ambulatory care clinics (Section E and SPH Clinics) provide active areas of learning.
  6. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of neuro-ophthalmology
  7. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of retinal and vitreal disease.
  8. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of orbital disease and oculoplastics.
  9. Dedicated training in pathology will be offered and clinico-pathological correlations will be taught.

PGY-3 Overview

The PGY-3 year will consolidate the resident's knowledge of basic science and the following sub-specialty subjects: Ambulatory Care Clinic, Cornea and External disease, Pediatric Ophthalmology and Glaucoma. The goals & objectives of the PGY-3 year include:

  1. An increased level of expertise will be expected from the resident attending the Ambulatory Care Clinics. There are opportunities to provide mentorship and teaching to more junior learners.
  2. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of cornea, external disease and uveitis.
  3. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of pediatric and strabismus ophthalmology.
  4. Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of glaucoma.

PGY-4 Overview

Within the PGY-4 and PGY-5 years, sub-speciality clinics are completed for a second time and more advanced knowledge will be supported.  In addition, within the PGY-4 and PGY-5 years, there are dedicated anterior segment surgical rotations.  The goals & objectives of the PGY-4 year include:

  1. Obtain knowledge and skills necessary to understand the indications for, the complications of, and the ability to perform anterior segment surgery.
  2. Advanced clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of retinal pathology.
  3. Advanced clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of orbital disease and oculoplastics.
  4. Dedicated training in pathology will be offered and clinico-pathological correlations will be taught.
  1. Advanced clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of pediatric and strabismus ophthalmology.
  2. An increased level of expertise will be expected from the resident attending the Ambulatory Clinics.

PGY-5 Overview

Within the PGY-4 and PGY-5 years, sub-speciality clinics are completed for a second time and more advanced knowledge will be supported.  In addition, within the PGY-4 and PGY-5 years, there are dedicated anterior segment surgical rotations.  The goals & objectives of the PGY-5 year include:

  1. The resident will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the indications for, the complications of, and the ability to perform anterior segment surgery.
  2. Advanced clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of neuro-ophthalmology
  3. Advanced clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of glaucoma

Research, Teaching and Elective opportunities

Research: There are many excellent clinical and basic science researchers within the Department of Ophthalmology at UBC.  As such, there are many research opportunities and there is a dedicated Resident Research Lead who helps provide guidance and support.  There is an expectation that each resident presents at the Departmental Annual Research Day.

Teaching: Within our program, residents are actively involved in teaching – opportunities range from teaching each other, more junior residents and medical students!   At UBC, the Office of Faculty Development and the PGME office supports the Residents as Teachers initiative.  This initiative is supported by our program and many of our residents have completed all of the modules!  https://facdev.med.ubc.ca/home-page/programs/residents-as-teachers/

Electives & Selectives:  Within the residency training program, dedicated blocks are scheduled into senior resident rotations to allow time to explore areas of special interest.

Applications

All applications to the UBC Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Residency Training Program are processed through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CARMS).

Please visit the CaRMS Website for more information