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Calgary - Ophthalmology

University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta
Ophthalmology
CMG Stream
2 Positions
Official Page

The University of Calgary offers a comprehensive 5-year Royal College accredited Ophthalmology residency program with exceptional surgical training. With over 50 staff surgeons across all subspecialties and unique agreements with surgical facilities, residents graduate with extensive clinical and surgical experience, including an average of 500-750 full cataract cases.

Quick Facts
Program ID
29478
Quota
2 positions
Stream
CMG
Program Length
5 years
Last Approved
September 22, 2025
Last Updated
December 3, 2025
Avg. Applications (5 yrs)
51 - 200
Avg. Interview Rate
26 - 50 %
Program Overview

Teaching Philosophy

Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) focusing on progressive skill development, frequent formative assessments, and learner-centered education through entrustable professional activities (EPAs) and milestones.

Training Setting

Urban medical center in Calgary, Alberta, with multiple training sites including Rockyview General Hospital, Alberta Children's Hospital, and various Alberta Health Services clinics and surgical facilities.

Focus Areas
Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Subspecialty Training
Surgical Skills Development
Research
Competency-Based Medical Education
Special Features
  • Competence by Design (CBD) curriculum
  • Visiting Professor program
  • Wetlab with new equipment
  • Eyesi surgical simulator
  • Mentorship program
  • Cadaveric eye training through Lions Eye Bank
  • Review courses (TORIC, Bay Area Ophthalmology, Lancaster Ophthalmology)
  • Protected research time
Program Strengths
  • Highest surgical volumes in North America
  • Exceptional staff-to-resident ratio
  • Strong subspecialty representation
  • Comprehensive training across all ophthalmology domains
  • Robust research infrastructure
  • Flexible program catering to individual resident interests
Patient Populations
Pediatric patients
Adult ophthalmology patients
Trauma patients
Complex medical eye conditions
Rare ophthalmological pathologies
Research Opportunities

Residents participate in research projects from PGY-2 to PGY-5, with dedicated half-day protected research time, faculty support, and opportunities to present at national/international meetings.

Teaching Hospitals
  • Rockyview General Hospital
  • Alberta Children's Hospital
  • Alberta Health Services Clinics
Training Setting Type
Academic medical center
Tertiary care center
Community clinics
Chartered surgical facilities
Enhanced Skills Training
Subspecialty exposure
Surgical skills training
Research skills development
Leadership training
Interview Information

Interview Dates

  • February 4, 2026
Evaluation Criteria
  • Medical Student Performance Record (MSPR)
  • Letters of reference
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal letter
  • CanMEDS role assessment
  • Interview performance
Compensation & Benefits

Alberta provincial salaries

Updated September 9, 2022

Salary Progression (5-Year Program)

Starting Salary

$58,934

PGY-1

Maximum Salary

$81,584

PGY-5

Benefits & Perks

Annual vacation: 4 weeks/yr
Call Stipends: weekday in-house –  $118.02weekend in-house / holiday – $178.72weekday home call – $59.01weekend home call / holiday – $89.35
CMPA dues paid: $1,500
Dental plan: 75% premium paid
Educational leave: 14 days paid leave
Extended health insurance: 75% premium paid$1000 per year Flexible Spending Account*
Frequency of calls: In-house call: 7/28. 2/4 weekend call.Home call: 9/28. 2/4 weekend call**A Resident scheduled on Home call but who is required to work more than four hours in hospital during the call period, of which more than one full hour is past 12:00 a.m. and before 6:00 a.m., or more than six (6) hours in hospital during the call period, shall be remunerated at the rate for In-House call.$100 per day for each scheduled weekend day of patient rounds when not on-call
Life insurance: 100% towards $150,000 coverage
Life Support Course Costs (Program Approved: 100% paid
Long-term disability insurance: 100% paid for 75% gross income
Maternity Leave: 18 weeks total (17 weeks paid to match 90% of salary when combined with EI)
Parental Leave: 2 weeks leave with full pay and benefits;52 weeks (inclusive of Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leaves) – unpaid leave

... and 4 more benefits

Compensation data is province-wide and may vary by institution. Please verify with individual programs. Data sourced from CARMS.

Curriculum & Rotations

PGY-1 Rotations

Transition to Discipline • 4 weeks
Internal Medicine • 4 weeks
Emergency Medicine • 4 weeks
Pediatrics • 4 weeks
Plastic Surgery • 4 weeks
Neuroradiology • 4 weeks
Neurology • 4 weeks
Infectious Disease • 4 weeks
Ocular Pathology • 4 weeks
Urgent Eye Clinic
TORIC Course • 6 weeksToronto

PGY-2 Rotations

Urgent Eye Clinic • 6 months
Cornea and External Eye Disease • 1 month
Glaucoma • 1 month
Pediatrics • 1 month
Oculoplastic • 1 month
Retina • 1 month
Neuro-Ophthalmology • 1 month

PGY-3 Rotations

Subspecialty Rotations

PGY-4 Rotations

Subspecialty Rotations
Surgical Training

PGY-5 Rotations

Surgical Training
Royal College Exam Preparation • 8 weeks
Websites of Interest
City Amenities
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Program Location
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Data Source: This information is aggregated from publicly available sources. Last updated on 12/3/2025. Always verify details with the official program page.