CIME 2025 unveils a galaxy of innovation in modern eye care

(Image Credit: AdobeStock/Visualmind)

As the 19th Annual Controversies in Modern Eye Care (CIME) conference approaches on May 4 at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles, California, cochair Neda Shamie, MD, sat down with Ophthalmology Times and Optometry Times® to discuss this year’s agenda. Alongside cochairs Robert Maloney, MD, and Arjan Hura, MD, of the Maloney-Shamie-Hura Vision Institute, Shamie will lead discussions on the latest advancements and controversies in eye care, focusing on the collaborative care model. This year’s event will feature a Star Wars theme, a keynote lecture, and sessions with both ophthalmologist and optometrist faculty on topics including refractive surgery, glaucoma, oculoplastics, and retina therapy.

Note: This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity and length.

Sheryl Stevenson, Executive Editor:

Can you tell us about the origins of the CIME meeting and why the concept of collaborative care is important?

Neda Shamie, MD:

Robert Maloney started the meeting series 19 years ago on the premise of collaborative care, and it was an opportunity for ophthalmologists and optometrists to have a conversation about optimizing patient care. I’ve been involved for at least
8 years. The 3 of us—Dr Maloney, Dr Hura, and I—are strong advocates for that conversation because patients do best when they are taken care of by their primary eye doctor and their surgeon in collaboration.

Stevenson:

What can attendees expect at this year’s meeting?

Shamie:

It’s May 4. May the force be with you! It’s in Los Angeles, and where Hollywood happens. There’s going to be a Star Wars theme intertwined with it. If you’re enthusiastic about Star Wars, come in costume.

Some of the audience knows that Dr Maloney was on sabbatical, learning about the history of IOLs in England and studying some of the textbooks that were written many years ago. He’ll be giving a keynote lecture. I’ve heard his lecture—it’s intriguing, and I highly recommend it.

Most of the sessions have optometrists and ophthalmologists, and that model is woven into the meeting. Wendy Lee, MD, and Selina McGee, OD, are partnering to talk about the advances in oculoplastics. Paul Singh, MD,
is partnering with Melissa Tawa, OD, in the dialogue about glaucoma. Steven Ferrucci, OD, and Luke Lindsell, OD, are going to be talking about retina therapy. Dr Hura and I are going to talk about the “ask all” aspects of refractive surgical options for patients, covering all of the new innovations, what to look for when you’re considering referring patients for refractive surgery, or when not to offer surgery. We’re going to be talking about refractive cataract surgery and all the controversies around it, as well as the advances.

There are featured symposia. During lunch there will be a product theater, which is sponsored, and it will be an interesting dive deep into yet another topic.

Stevenson:

How does the word controversies in the conference title reflect the role of the meeting?

Shamie:

Often when change is being presented, it can lead to controversy, and that is questioning the change. Is it the right thing? Are we moving in the right direction? I ask that every day when I want to present something new to my patients. The reality is, in ophthalmology, it’s a rapidly evolving field. The speed of innovation is impressive, probably speedier than any other field in medicine. We are vetting new technology and new advances because we don’t want to hold anything back from our patients unless it hasn’t been proven to be safe and efficacious. That’s the controversy: Is a new offering truly an advance for our patients?