Ophthalmic medical technologist performing a test on a patient

Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Program

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 ). After successful completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the certification exams given by the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. Graduates from the OMT program are sought after across the country and internationally.

The application process into the 3rd and 4th years of our program takes place in February. The Faculty of Science at uOttawa usually sends out an announcement regarding the application process in January. Applicants may want to touch base with Julie Lamothe ([email protected]) at the Faculty of Science and she can provide the specific application details. In addition, Julie will review application academic files to determine what course credits could be applied to our program.

Most graduates are working as Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologists in hospitals or private clinics. Several graduates have gone on to do optometry and several others have gone on to medical school.

For those students not selected to the 3rd and 4th years of the program, can easily switch to another program within the Faculty of Science, as most of our courses in the 1st and 2nd year of the program can easily be credited towards other programs.

Students can find the pre-requisite courses to apply this program at Prerequisite courses - Ontario website.

The first two years of the degree are at the University of Ottawa campus and focus on general sciences. Students apply to the third and fourth years of the program. Students who meet the minimum requirements for grades and who have the prerequisite courses are accepted for an interview. These may be students who enrolled into the first year of the program at the University of Ottawa or students who have transferred into the third year from other programs or other Universities with a strong science background allowing them to meet the prerequisites of the Bachelor of Science (honours ophthalmic medical technology). The 4th year OMT students also participate in the frosh week with a booth and information booklets, which they distribute. The costs of the program are included in the tuition as set by the University of Ottawa.

Information on our program can be found on University of Ottawa website and the Eye Institute website.

Information on the profession as a whole can be found on the Certifiying body's website, JCAHPO (Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology).

Upon completion of this program, you would have a Bachelor of Science with Honours Ophthalmic Medical Technology.

Note that we currently do not offer additional training for those wanting to update their skills to a COMT.