Renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Robert Maloney, cofounder of the Maloney-Shamie-Hura Vision Institute, has announced his retirement from surgical practice to pursue a new chapter focused on historical research in eye care.
Speaking at the Controversies in Modern Eye Care (CIME) meeting in Los Angeles, Dr. Maloney shared that his decision follows a six-month sabbatical at Oxford University, where he conducted in-depth research on pioneers in ophthalmology, including Harold Ridley and Stewart Duke-Elder, and explored the development of the intraocular lens (IOL).
Although stepping away from clinical work, Dr. Maloney made it clear he is not retiring entirely.
“I’m not retiring from work,” he told Ophthalmology Times. “My six months on sabbatical was, from the point of view of ideas, the richest time of the last decade or so for me. I’m a lifelong learner. I decided that I want to pursue history on a more full-time basis.”
Dr. Maloney, widely respected for his surgical expertise and contributions to the field, reflected on the privilege of a career in ophthalmology but emphasized the importance of moving forward.
“We’re so privileged to be in eye care. It’s easy to be too attached to the profession,” he said. “I realized that I needed to let go of what I’m doing now to move on to the next step. Ophthalmology, magnificent though it is, was holding me back.”
As he transitions into this new academic phase, Dr. Maloney aims to deepen the field’s understanding of its historical roots, focusing on how groundbreaking developments have shaped modern eye care.
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