Program Overview

Ocular Disease Residency: Emphasis on Glaucoma

The Ocular Disease and Glaucoma (ODG) residency is designed to extend and refine your knowledge and clinical skills in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with a variety of ocular diseases with an emphasis on the management of glaucoma. While the focus of this one-year program is on clinical training, you are strongly encouraged to engage in scholarly activity and will be required to present at and participate in organized seminars, as well as actively contribute to the clinical training and practical education of optometry students.

General Description of the Residency

• The ODG residency is currently accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.
• Dates of residency: August 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027.
• Salary: $42,000 per year, plus an additional $2000 to be used toward travel to optometric meetings.
• Supervisor:
  • Primary supervisor: Dr. Sarah MacIver
  • Additional supervisor: Dr. C.L. Prokopich
• Location: The majority of the residency will take place in the School of Optometry and Vision Science and the Health Science Campus (HSOC), Kitchener.
• Hours: The clinical components of the residency are scheduled during the School's operating hours.

Anticipated Weekly Curriculum

Residency Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Expert Role

• To train you to competently examine and manage patients with diverse and complex clinical findings in the sub-discipline areas of glaucoma, anterior segment disease, posterior segment
  eurological disease, and acute care.
• Objective 1: You will accurately and efficiently assess patients in each of the identified subdiscipline areas.
• Objective 2: You will become proficient in utilizing and analyzing the results of imaging instruments for the management of ocular disease.

Goal 2: Expert Role

• To develop and solidify strong clinical diagnostic and management skills in the area of ocular disease and primary care.
• Objective 1: You will understand advanced management options for more complex cases and appropriately identify when a referral is required.
• Objective 2: You will examine patients for both primary care and ocular disease conditions in diverse settings.

Goal 3: Scholar Role

• To develop your knowledge in the area of ocular disease and management and the ability to critically review the literature.
• Objective 1: You will create at least two evidence-based rounds/presentations.
• Objective 2: You will be exposed to different continuing education experiences on various disease topics.
• Objective 3: Efficiently and effectively use library and other on-campus resources to develop skills, access literature, and use evidence-based medicine.

Goal 4: Communicator Role

• To become a skilled clinical communicator.
• Objective 1: You will participate in speaking and writing opportunities.

Goal 5: Educator Role

• To develop skills to become an effective clinical educator.
• Objective 1: You will be scheduled as a lab-teaching assistant in the advanced clinical disease lab and the clinical medicine in optometric practice lab for third-year students.
• Objective 2: You will be involved in the clinical supervision of optometry interns.

Goal 6: Collaborator Role

• To develop your communication and knowledge base to be able to engage in interprofessional education, collaboration, and care.
• Objective 1: You will collaborate with the family health team while at the Health Sciences Optometry Clinic.
• Objective 2: You will communicate effectively and collaborate with ophthalmology and other health professionals through referrals/reports/other communication methods.
• Objective 3: You will collaborate with ophthalmology.

Supervision

• Dr. MacIver will be your main mentor and supervisor, and Dr. Prokopich will be the secondary supervisor.
• They will both be involved in your scheduling, as well as reviewing files and consulting with you.

Clinical Experience

• You will start in the fall session with direct care focusing on the areas of disease management, acute care, and glaucoma management, as well as some primary care when at HSOC.
• The number of patients per session will depend on the clinic in which you are providing care.

Scholarly/Didactic Activities

• In addition to the clinic curriculum, you must also complete the following:
  • Present at minimum two presentations presented in resident GR sessions, or alternate venues including the graduate students' conference or a continuing professional development venue.
  • Submit a case report/review article in a form suitable for publication.
  • Attend one external optometry meeting and the University of Waterloo Optometry & Vision Science annual continuing education program, when possible.
  • Participate in the Residents’ Evidence-based Medicine/Journal club.

Educator/Knowledge Sharing Component

• You will:
  • Be a Teaching Assistant (TA) for a lab course in the optometry curriculum.
  • Be a TA for the Injections for Optometry Workshop.
  • Supervise the fourth-year optometry interns in ocular disease clinic setting.
  • Develop and present evidence-based Grand Rounds.
  • Present an open style oral presentation such as a seminar, lecture, or Grand Rounds suitable for presentation at annual University of Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science continuing education event or equivalent and suitable for COPE approval.

Additional Activities

• Clinical research projects: if you are interested in expanding clinical research skills, then an opportunity to participate in ongoing clinical research projects may be explored.

Assessment and Evaluation

• Clinical skills evaluation:
  • There will be at least one evaluation of skills and case management each term.
  • Final evaluation of skills and case management.
• Teaching evaluations:
  • Peer-evaluation of the teaching seminar in the lab course.
• Didactic component evaluations:
  • Review paper will be reviewed for content and writing style by the supervisor(s).
  • Grand Rounds/Seminars will be graded by your supervisors using a written global rating scale.
• Overall progress:
  • You will receive a written evaluation at least once per term on their overall progress in the residency.