CaRMS

Program Highlights

The University of Toronto has centralized much of its teaching and surgical training at the new Kensington Eye Institute (KEI). Residents have a new dedicated space at the KEI, which includes a surgical simulator, wet lab, library, computer workstations, and small group teaching seminar room. Grand rounds occur on Friday mornings in the Departmental conference room, and there is dedicated protected time for resident teaching on Friday mornings.

The residents also rotate through all the major Toronto hospitals, including Toronto Western, Mount Sinai, Sunnybrook, Hospital for Sick Children, St. Michael's and Princess Margaret. The Ophthalmology Department has a very large faculty that includes comprehensive ophthalmologists and all sub-specialities. The University of Toronto also has a large and extremely active basic science research department.

Supporting Documentation

Reference documents

Required

Letter of referenceNumber requested: 3

Required

Canadian Citizenship [Document must be notarized/certified]
Submit one of the following documents to verify your citizenship.

• Canadian Birth Certificate or Act of Birth
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)
• Record of Landing, clearly showing the date of landing in Canada

Canadian Citizenship:

Proof of current citizenship or permanent resident status must be provided by submitting one of the following verifications to CaRMS by the Rank Order List deadline. (Photocopies acceptable). No other forms of verification are acceptable:

Notarized photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by an authority in Canada with any photo ID, or

Notarized photocopy of Canadian Passport, or

Notarized photocopy of Canadian citizenship certificate, Record of Landing; or

Notarized photocopy of Permanent Resident Card/Canadian Citizen Card – copies of both sides of card must be provided and legible.

Photo [Note: Photograph is used as memory aid only]

Medical School Transcript

Medical Student Performance Record

Custom Résumé / CV

Personal Letter

Undergraduate Transcript (Bachelor's Degree)

Ophthalmological Report

The ophthalmological report should include visual acuity (corrected and uncorrected), refractive error, stereo vision, colour vision, ocular muscle balance/motility, and health status of the eyes.

Optional

Graduate Transcript (Master/PhD Degree)

Review Process

Applications submitted after file review has opened on February 8, 2021

Will be considered until
Will NOT be considered

Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened on February 8, 2021

Will be considered until
Will NOT be considered

Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on February 8, 2021

Will be considered until
Will NOT be considered

Interviews

Details regarding interview dates
Interviews will be held Wednesday March 24, 2021

Notification/Invitation:Program will only notify applicants who are selected for an interview

Details regarding the interview process:The Resident Selection Committee reviews all applications based on the above selection criteria. Approximately 15 candidates are invited to the University of Toronto for a personal interview. For those invited, a full day of interviews will be conducted. Interviewees only notified via email.


Each applicant is reviewed by three interview teams comprised of four individuals per team. Each interview is 20 minutes duration. Each interview team has one resident member.

Selection Criteria

-A strong academic record

-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

-Candidates should have a proven interest in ophthalmology as demonstrated by having undertaken electives in ophthalmology or related fields.

-It is recommended that references be obtained from academic specialists who have first hand knowledge of the applicant's performance during their elective.

-Candidates with an interest and /or experience in basic science or clinical research, are encouraged to apply.

Elective Requirements: We are looking for and rewarding applicants who have completed a broad range of electives including our specialty.

On Site Elective:We do not require applicants to have done onsite electives.

Program Curriculum

This residency program is for 5 year(s)

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

PGY-1

The PGY-1 year is designed to meet the requirements of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons and to prepare the applicant for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examinations Part II. Upon acceptance into the Ophthalmology Residency Program, the PGY-1 resident is seconded to the department of medicine for training. During this time, PGY-1's attend our Friday morning grand rounds and resident teaching rounds. They have training opportunities in plastic surgery, ENT, and neurosurgery. They also do a mandatory rotation in pediatrics on the CTU. Prior to the conclusion of the PGY-1 year, residents start a 6 week basic science program in ophthalmology called the Toronto Ophthalmology Residency Introductory Course (TORIC). The program involves didactic lectures with slide presentations, wet labs and dissection sessions. This course is attended by ophthalmology residents from all across Canada as well as some international programs.

PGY-2 & 3 (Junior Residency)

During the junior residency, residents rotate through each of the 5 teaching hospitals in order to acquire a solid foundation in the basic science and clinical aspects of medical and surgical ophthalmology. PGY-2 residents complete 4 month rotations in general eye clinics which involve exposure to all areas of ophthalmology and allow development of core ophthalmic knowledge and skills. Residents in PGY-3 complete 2 month blocks of "vertical" medical ophthalmology rotations, including exposure to each of the subspecialty disciplines including: cornea/external ocular diseases, retina/vitreous, glaucoma, neuro ophthalmology & oculoplastics. They also complete a 4 month rotation in pediatric ophthalmology at the Hospital for Sick Children.

PGY-4 & 5 (Senior Residency)

Senior residents rotate through each of the 5 teaching hospitals. The emphasis here is on perfecting clinical skills in the general and subspecialty areas of ophthalmology and to provide a solid foundation in all aspects of surgical ophthalmology during this period of training. Residents in PGY-4 and 5 are primarily involved in surgical rotations.

We have created a "longitudinal" eight month rotation in cataract surgery at the Kensington Eye Institute (KEI). This rotation is "paired" with 8 months of placements at the four adult "base" hospitals (2 months each at Sunnybrook HSC, Toronto Western Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital & St. Michael's Hospital). Residents spend 1/2 of their time at KEI and the other 1/2 at the adult base hospitals. The remaining 4 months of the year occur at the Hospital for Sick Children focusing on pediatric eye surgery. Resident will still spend some surgical time at KEI while at HSC.

PGY-5 residents have a flexible year which is designed to begin emulating the transition to practice year which will be part of the new Royal College Competence by Design framework. Highlights of this year include involvement in a resident run "cataract clinic" providing all aspects of care to cataract surgery patients including pre and post operative management, and transition to a "senior back-up" on-call schedule. This year includes a longitudinal experience in glaucoma surgery at Mt. Sinai/KEI as well as considerable elective and Royal College study time.

Research

Resident research is actively promoted. By the PGY-3 level, a major prospective research project should be chosen and started. This project must be completed by the end of training and presented at the departmental annual "Resident Research Day" in June. They are also expected to complete one Quality Assurance (QA) project during the PGY4 year. Residents attend weekly research rounds, presented by local, national and international research scientists and receive lectures in critical appraisal of the research literature and clinical epidemiology. Residents are supported by the department to present their research at national and international meetings. Residents have protected time for their research endeavours.

Seminars

A dedicated academic half-day is committed on Friday morning for core resident lectures (8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) given by local faculty and visiting professors.

City-wide visiting professors rounds are held on Friday morning (7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.) attracting world class lecturers to the University of Toronto.

In addition, there are journal clubs, oculoplastics rounds, small group teaching sessions, and a resident surgical teaching course using state-of-the-art equipment (including several Ziess microscopes, a Phacoemulsification and Vitrectomy unit).

Training Sites

The Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto provides a fully integrated, comprehensive postgraduate training program. Residents rotate through 5 fully affiliated teaching hospitals:

• The Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network
• Mount Sinai Hospital
• St. Michael's Hospital
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• The Toronto Hospital for Sick Children

Much of the surgical teaching now occurs at the Kensington Eye Institute (KEI), which is also the location of the Friday morning grand rounds and academic 1/2 day. The Kensington Vision and Research Centre (KVRC) has recently opened to provide clinical care and research opportunities. PGY-5 residents run a cataract surgery clinic at the KVRC.

In addition, residents rotate through Princess Margaret Hospital, where they gain experience in the diagnosis and management of ocular oncology.

There are no mandatory rural rotations, but residents have considerable elective and selective time during their senior years and are encouraged to pursue community rotations and international electives.

Additional Information

The ratio of residents to faculty is 24 to 120.

The average patient load is 20.

The library for the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto has computer facilities with access to email and electronic journals.

The Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto is the oldest and one of the largest ophthalmology training programs in Canada. Our commitment is towards excellence in patient care, resident education and world class basic science and clinical research.

On occasion, applicants to our program are asked to fill out surveys relating to ophthalmology and our admissions process. These surveys are voluntary, and confidential. The admissions director uses the email addresses supplied by the applicants. If the applicant does not wish to participate please indicate that you do not wish to participate in these surveys.

Return of Service

All IMGs will be required to sign an IMG Training Agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care that requires the IMG to return service for a period of five years upon completion of their training in their area of specialty (including Family Medicine). This ROS commitment can be fulfilled anywhere in Ontario with the exception of the following communities: The City of Ottawa, The Greater Toronto Area including the City of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, and Pickering.

IMGs with pre-existing ROS obligations must disclose these obligations at the time of application. IMGs that have active ROS obligations may not be eligible for Ontario-funded training positions. Such individuals may wish to contact the ministry for further information.

The ROS commitment to Ontario must commence within the timeframe set out in the individual’s IMG Training Agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The location where the IMG returns service must be approved by the ministry as per the terms of their IMG Training Agreement.

For further information concerning the return of service, contact:

PROGRAM OFFICER
Health Workforce Education Strategy Unit.
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Tel: (416) 327-8339
Email: PPUProgramOfficer@Ontario.ca

Website: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/rlirp/service.aspx

General Instructions

Program application language: English

Supporting Documentation

Reference documents

Required

Letter of referenceNumber requested: 3

Required

Canadian Citizenship [Document must be notarized/certified]
Submit one of the following documents to verify your citizenship.

• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of the card)
• Record of Landing, clearly showing the date of landing in Canada
• Canadian Birth Certificate or Act of Birth

Canadian Citizenship:

Proof of current citizenship or permanent resident status must be provided by submitting one of the following verifications to CaRMS by the Rank Order List deadline. (Photocopies acceptable). No other forms of verification are acceptable:

Notarized photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by an authority in Canada with any photo ID, or

Notarized photocopy of Canadian Passport, or

Notarized photocopy of Canadian citizenship certificate, Record of Landing; or

Notarized photocopy of Permanent Resident Card/Canadian Citizen Card – copies of both sides of card must be provided and legible.

Language Proficiency 
Submit one of the following documents to verify your language proficiency.

• IELTS
• TOEFL - iBT

Language Requirements

Must provide proof of English or French language proficiency through ONE of the following:

a) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 7 in each component, OR

b) TOEFL-Ibt – passing score of 93 including a minimum score of 24 on the speaking section, OR

c) A pass result in the French proficiency test administered by the Collège des Médecins du Québec, OR

d) Candidates for whom their primary and secondary, or medical school education was conducted in English or French, the Ontario medical schools will accept Language Proficiency Attestations as follows:

i. Primary and secondary education: Mailed directly from the Senior Academic Administrators of both schools to the program confirming that all of the candidate’s primary and secondary education was conducted completely in English or French

ii. Medical school: Mailed directly from the Dean of the candidate’s medical school confirming that the language of instruction and patient care was conducted completely in English or French OR

iii. World Directory of Medical Schools Language Option – If the instruction and the language of patient care at the undergraduate medical school was conducted completely in English or French, then a candidate can submit to the Program a copy or printout of the World Directory of Medical Schools website listing the medical school which clearly states that the language of instruction is English or French.

Photo 

Medical School Transcript

Medical Student Performance Record

Custom Résumé / CV

Personal Letter

MCCEE - Statement of Results

Must have written and passed the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE). Statement of results must be provided by the File Review Date

Undergraduate Transcript (Bachelor's Degree)

Ophthalmological Report

The ophthalmological report should include visual acuity (corrected and uncorrected), refractive error, stereo vision, colour vision, ocular muscle balance/motility, and health status of the eyes.

NAC examination - Statement of results

The National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) exam is mandatory for all IMGs. The results are required by the file review opening date. For more information click on the following link National Assessment Collaboration | Medical Council of Canada

Optional

MCCEE - Supplemental Information Report

Graduate Transcript (Master/PhD Degree)

Review Process

Applications submitted after file review has opened on February 8, 2021

Will be considered until
Will NOT be considered

Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened on February 8, 2021

Will be considered until
Will NOT be considered

Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on February 8, 2021

Will be considered until
Will NOT be considered

Interviews

Details regarding interview dates
Interviews will be held Wednesday March 24, 2021

Notification/Invitation: Program will only notify applicants who are selected for an interview

Details regarding the interview process: The Resident Selection Committee reviews all applications based on the above selection criteria. Approximately 15 candidates are invited to the University of Toronto for a personal interview. For those invited, a full day of interviews will be conducted. Interviewees only notified via email.

Each applicant is reviewed by three interview teams comprised of four individuals per team. Each interview is 20 minutes duration. Each interview team has one resident member.

Selection Criteria

-A strong academic record

-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

-Candidates should have a proven interest in ophthalmology as demonstrated by having undertaken electives in ophthalmology or related fields.

-It is recommended that references be obtained from academic specialists who have first-hand knowledge of the applicant's performance during their elective.

-Candidates with an interest and /or experience in basic science or clinical research, are encouraged to apply.

Elective Requirements: We are looking for and rewarding applicants who have completed a broad range of electives including our specialty.

On Site Elective: We do not require applicants to have done onsite electives.

Program Highlights

The University of Toronto has centralized much of its teaching and surgical training at the new Kensington Eye Institute (KEI). Residents have a new dedicated space at the KEI, which includes a surgical simulator, wet lab, library, computer workstations, and small group teaching seminar room. Grand rounds occur on Friday mornings in the Departmental conference room, and there is dedicated protected time for resident teaching on Friday mornings.

The residents also rotate through all the major Toronto hospitals, including Toronto Western, Mount Sinai, Sunnybrook, Hospital for Sick Children, St. Michael's and Princess Margaret. The Ophthalmology Department has a very large faculty that includes comprehensive ophthalmologists and all sub-specialities. The University of Toronto also has a large and extremely active basic science research department.

Program Curriculum

This residency program is for 5 year(s)

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

PGY-1

The PGY-1 year is designed to meet the requirements of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons and to prepare the applicant for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examinations Part II. Upon acceptance into the Ophthalmology Residency Program, the PGY-1 resident is seconded to the department of medicine for training. During this time, PGY-1's attend our Friday morning grand rounds and resident teaching rounds. They have training opportunities in plastic surgery, ENT, and neurosurgery. They also do a mandatory rotation in pediatrics on the CTU. Prior to the conclusion of the PGY-1 year, residents start a 6 week basic science program in ophthalmology called the Toronto Ophthalmology Residency Introductory Course (TORIC). The program involves didactic lectures with slide presentations, wet labs and dissection sessions. This course is attended by ophthalmology residents from all across Canada as well as some international programs.

PGY-2 & 3 (Junior Residency)

During the junior residency, residents rotate through each of the 5 teaching hospitals in order to acquire a solid foundation in the basic science and clinical aspects of medical and surgical ophthalmology. PGY-2 residents complete 4 month rotations in general eye clinics which involve exposure to all areas of ophthalmology and allow development of core ophthalmic knowledge and skills. Residents in PGY-3 complete 2 month blocks of "vertical" medical ophthalmology rotations, including exposure to each of the subspecialty disciplines including: cornea/external ocular diseases, retina/vitreous, glaucoma, neuro ophthalmology & oculoplastics. They also complete a 4 month rotation in pediatric ophthalmology at the Hospital for Sick Children.

PGY-4 & 5 (Senior Residency)

Senior residents rotate through each of the 5 teaching hospitals. The emphasis here is on perfecting clinical skills in the general and subspecialty areas of ophthalmology and to provide a solid foundation in all aspects of surgical ophthalmology during this period of training. Residents in PGY-4 and 5 are primarily involved in surgical rotations.

We have created a "longitudinal" eight month rotation in cataract surgery at the Kensington Eye Institute (KEI). This rotation is "paired" with 8 months of placements at the four adult "base" hospitals (2 months each at Sunnybrook HSC, Toronto Western Hospital, Mt. Sinai Hospital & St. Michael's Hospital). Residents spend 1/2 of their time at KEI and the other 1/2 at the adult base hospitals. The remaining 4 months of the year occur at the Hospital for Sick Children focusing on pediatric eye surgery. Resident will still spend some surgical time at KEI while at HSC.

PGY-5 residents have a flexible year which is designed to begin emulating the transition to practice year which will be part of the new Royal College Competence by Design framework. Highlights of this year include involvement in a resident run "cataract clinic" providing all aspects of care to cataract surgery patients including pre and post operative management, and transition to a "senior back-up" on-call schedule. This year includes a longitudinal experience in glaucoma surgery at Mt. Sinai/KEI as well as considerable elective and Royal College study time.

Research

Resident research is actively promoted. By the PGY-3 level, a major prospective research project should be chosen and started. This project must be completed by the end of training and presented at the departmental annual "Resident Research Day" in June. They are also expected to complete one Quality Assurance (QA) project during the PGY4 year. Residents attend weekly research rounds, presented by local, national and international research scientists and receive lectures in critical appraisal of the research literature and clinical epidemiology. Residents are supported by the department to present their research at national and international meetings. Residents have protected time for their research endeavours.

Seminars

A dedicated academic half-day is committed on Friday morning for core resident lectures (8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) given by local faculty and visiting professors.

City-wide visiting professors rounds are held on Friday morning (7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.) attracting world class lecturers to the University of Toronto.

In addition, there are journal clubs, oculoplastics rounds, small group teaching sessions, and a resident surgical teaching course using state-of-the-art equipment (including several Ziess microscopes, a Phacoemulsification and Vitrectomy unit).

Training Sites

The Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto provides a fully integrated, comprehensive postgraduate training program. Residents rotate through 5 fully affiliated teaching hospitals:

• The Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network
• Mount Sinai Hospital
• St. Michael's Hospital
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• The Toronto Hospital for Sick Children

Much of the surgical teaching now occurs at the Kensington Eye Institute (KEI), which is also the location of the Friday morning grand rounds and academic 1/2 day. The Kensington Vision and Research Centre (KVRC) has recently opened to provide clinical care and research opportunities. PGY-5 residents run a cataract surgery clinic at the KVRC.

In addition, residents rotate through Princess Margaret Hospital, where they gain experience in the diagnosis and management of ocular oncology.

There are no mandatory rural rotations, but residents have considerable elective and selective time during their senior years and are encouraged to pursue community rotations and international electives.

Additional Information

The ratio of residents to faculty is 24 to 120.

The average patient load is 20.

The library for the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto has computer facilities with access to email and electronic journals.

The Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto is the oldest and one of the largest ophthalmology training programs in Canada. Our commitment is towards excellence in patient care, resident education and world class basic science and clinical research.

On occasion, applicants to our program are asked to fill out surveys relating to ophthalmology and our admissions process. These surveys are voluntary, and confidential. The admissions director uses the email addresses supplied by the applicants. If the applicant does not wish to participate please indicate that you do not wish to participate in these surveys.

Pre-residency orientation programs

All IMG candidates accepted to all residency programs will be required to complete either the Pre-Residency Program (PRP) or the Pre-Residency Program for Family Medicine (PRPFM) prior to entering into a residency program. Matched IMGs will be expected to attend these programs in Toronto, several weeks in advance of the start of their residency program. In some cases, this may result in a delay of the start date of the residency. Additional information on the PRP and PRP FM programs can be found at the following link: Touchstone Institute.

Assessment verification period

All IMG candidates accepted to residency training programs will be required to undergo an Assessment Verification Period (AVP). This assessment period is normally 12 weeks in length and is required by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) to obtain an educational license to enter a residency program.

IMGs that have failed an AVP and are reapplying through CaRMS are ineligible to apply for training in the same specialty in Ontario, but may apply to a different specialty in the first and/or second iteration. IMGs who have withdrawn from a program prior to completion of an AVP must declare so upon application.