a patient is having their eyes tested

Ophthalmic Medical Technology

Looking to combine hands-on clinical experience with advanced visual science training? You might find your future in this program. The complexity of ophthalmic medicine has been growing steadily, and with it, the demand for well-trained allied health specialists in this critical area of eye care.

The OMT program is accredited by the International Council of Accreditation (ICA). Students in the ophthalmic medical technology program work with the latest technologies and as part of the health care team at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute. This integrated education prepares graduates for a challenging and rewarding career as an ophthalmic medical technologist (OMT).

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Witnessed or Experienced Mistreatment?

If you have witnessed or experienced mistreatment, we encourage you to report it. Reports can be submitted confidentially or anonymously, and support is available throughout the process.

Program highlights

students passing in front of the uO campus
  • Small class size
  • Integrated clinical learning environment at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)
  • One-on-one clinical instruction
  • Exposure to tertiary care ophthalmology and the patient care environment, students participate in all clinical activities at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute
  • Teaching provided by world-class ophthalmologists and experienced technologists
  • Students participate in all resident teaching and academic activities
  • Students are welcomed into unique learning experiences such as cadaver dissection labs as part of the resident teaching series
  • Students attend 2 ophthalmology conferences a year
  • 4th year students do clinical research and present their work at the annual research day alongside residents, medical fellows and post graduate students
2

Number of years in the program

8

Number of students in our program

3

Number of institutional partners

What are the responsibilities of an ophthalmic medical technician?

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians work alongside Ophthalmologists in private practices, medical centers, hospitals and university clinics.

Some of the responsibilities might include:

  • Support the ophthalmologist during eye surgeries and laser procedures
  • Take patients' general medical and ophthalmic history
  • Conduct specialized testing such as refractometry, ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography or ocular motility testing to aid ophthalmologists in assessing patients' vision
  • Instruct patient on diagnostic test and record, interpret and troubleshoot results
  • Assist ophthalmologists in performing ophthalmic procedures, and surgeries
  • Prepare specimens for culture and staining
  • Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications as directed by ophthalmologists
  • Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment
  • May instruct and supervise other ophthalmic staff and perform various administrative duties
  • May participate in research activities.
  • They play a major role in the education of office staff, students and frequently help the patient understand the nature of their disease and the treatment prescribed
a patient is having their eyes tested

Help bridge the gap in eye care

Get certified, get connected, and launch your career in a field that’s changing lives globally.

Contact us

Ophthalmic Medical Technology

Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Roger Guindon Hall
451 Smyth Road, Room 2016, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5 
Tel.: 613-562-5215
Email: [email protected]

Hours of operation

We are here to help you from Monday to Friday.

(May to August)
From 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
and from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

(September to April)
From 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
and from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Note: We are closed during lunch time (12:00 pm to 1:00 pm)

Report mistreatment

Have you witnessed or experienced mistreatment?
Support is here for you.