Clinical trials are the foundation of modern medicine, providing the evidence that guides patient care and the advancement of new therapies. The field of retina offers some of the clearest examples of how clinical research can truly transform a specialty. Landmark studies including the diabetic retinopathy studies and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) have established a foundation for evidence-based care. Since then, pivotal moments from the AIDS era pandemic and the emergence of intravitreal therapy to the anti-VEGF revolution have continued to advance the way we look at clinical practice and clinical trial design. In this discussion, you’ll hear from leaders who helped shape these milestones and who continue to influence the future of clinical retina research.

Learn more at www.retinahistory.asrs.org

About the History of Retina
The History of Retina is brought to you by the Foundation of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) in an effort to preserve the history and heritage of retina for generations to come. Trace the journey of the specialty's dynamic evolution by exploring milestones in technology, instrumentation, and techniques and hearing first-hand accounts from retina pioneers whose innovative spirit and pivotal contributions laid the framework for the advanced sight-saving retinal care of today and the enormously promising treatments of tomorrow.

For more than five decades, Evangelos Gragoudas, MD, has been innovating, inspiring, and educating in the field of retina and ocular oncology. Early in his career, Dr. Gragoudas trained under the father of modern retinal surgery – the illustrious Charles Schepens. That transformative fellowship and his training at the Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary turned into a career-long commitment to the institution and set the stage for the groundbreaking advances he would go on to achieve. Dr. Gragoudas’ numerous accomplishments include: pioneering proton beam irradiation for uveal melanoma, contributing to the development of photodynamic therapy for macular degeneration, and serving as a pivotal member of the team that uncovered the role of VEGF in age-related macular degeneration. His research has not only saved vision but also saved lives, giving hope to millions of our patients worldwide.

Learn more at www.HistoryofRetina.org.

About the History of Retina

The History of Retina is brought to you by the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) in an effort to preserve the history and heritage of retina for generations to come. Trace the journey of the specialty's dynamic evolution by exploring milestones in technology, instrumentation, and techniques, and hearing first-hand accounts from retina pioneers whose innovative spirit and pivotal contributions laid the framework for the advanced sight-saving retinal care of today and the enormously promising treatments of tomorrow.

Join us for this episode of Leaders & Legends where we explore the extraordinary life and career of Jose S. Pulido, MD, MS, MBA, MPH. Born in Cuba during revolutionary times, Dr. Pulido’s family fled following the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, immigrating to the United States when he was 5. Through his parents’ example, he learned the critical importance of education. An out-of-the-box thinker and life-long learner, he went on to train at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. Today, he is a world-renowned retina and ocular oncology clinician and scientist, who is known for pioneering research in vitreoretinal infection and inflammatory diseases, retinal degeneration, stem cells, checkpoint inhibitors, and immunotherapies. Listen in as Dr. Pulido shares details of his remarkable journey and explains how his differences and forward-thinking mindset influenced his professional career and personal story.

Learn more at www.HistoryofRetina.org.

About the History of Retina

The History of Retina is brought to you by the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) in an effort to preserve the history and heritage of retina for generations to come. Trace the journey of the specialty's dynamic evolution by exploring milestones in technology, instrumentation, and techniques and hearing first-hand accounts from retina pioneers whose innovative spirit and pivotal contributions laid the framework for the advanced sight-saving retinal care of today and the enormously promising treatments of tomorrow.