ASRS's History of Retina American Society of Retina Specialists

Dr. Yale Fisher has had an undeniable impact on the field of retina. He led the way in the development of new techniques and instruments in the field, particularly in ultrasonography and vitreoretinal surgery. His pioneering work in ocular endoscopy has expanded the boundaries of what is possible in the field and he has shared his expertise extensively with audiences both nationally and internationally. Listen in as Dr. Fisher recalls the early 1970s, a time of extraordinary innovation in retina, and his important collaborations with world-renowned vitreoretinal surgeon and innovator Dr. Steve Charles. He shares details about his remarkable friendship with Victor Curtin, MD, as well as an unintentional encounter with a New York Times reporter in 1979 that raised the visibility of the extraordinary work of retinal surgeons.

Learn more at www.HistoryofRetina.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.

Dr. Stuart L. Fine is world-renowned for his leadership in ophthalmology education, research, and patient care. A pioneering investigator, Dr. Fine helped shape the field of retina through his leadership of numerous National Eye Institute (NEI)-supported, multi-centered clinical trials to evaluate new and existing treatments for retinal disease. Among the many pivotal trials he chaired are the Macular Photocoagulation Study and the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study. He also vice chaired the NEI-sponsored Comparison of Age-related Macular Degeneration Treatment Trials (CATT). He has received many of the field's highest honors but will tell you that he is most proud of his mentorship of two generations of medical students and house staff, many of whom have become national and international leaders in academic ophthalmology.

Learn more at www.HistoryofRetina.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.

In this episode, the History of Retina welcomes retina leader and legend, Morton F. Goldberg, MD, who shares stories from his extraordinary career. Listen in as he recalls co-hosting the 1968 Arlie House Symposium on the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy with colleague Stuart Fine, MD. This groundbreaking international meeting of the world’s experts on diabetic retinopathy led to a major revolution in care for patients with the disease that had previously led to irreversible blindness. The Symposium spurred the creation and implementation of a new standardized classification of the disease and the first major, collaborative, prospective clinical trial in ophthalmology, the Diabetic Retinopathy Study.

Learn more at www.HistoryofRetina.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.

Since its founding in 1982, the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) has grown exponentially in size and influence, making it a powerful national advocate and primary source of clinical and scientific information and education for its members. It does, in fact, represent all things retina. Listen in as ASRS founders, Drs. Jerald Bovino, Roy Levit and Allen Verne, discuss their quest to create an open, egalitarian organization to serve the ongoing professional, educational and social needs of all fellowship-trained retina specialists. Through their sheer determination, courage and initiative, the Vitreous Society – later renamed the American Society of Retina Specialists -- was born.

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. 

Daniel Martin, MD, FASRS, has focused much of his extraordinary career on the design and execution of clinical trials to evaluate new drugs and therapeutic strategies for retinal disease. He has been – and is still -- at the helm of some of the most influential retina research of our time. His contributions have not only guided treatment practices, but have built a framework on which future research will be undertaken. In this compelling discussion, Dr. Martin details his early work on transformative treatments for Cytomegalovirus (or CMV) retinitis associated with AIDS, his leadership of the groundbreaking CATT Trial and expansion of the DRCR Retina Network. He also shares the pivotal role of his mentors and how they shaped his own leadership philosophy that has guided the development of a world-class team at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic.

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.

Few people have thought as deeply about retina’s most perplexing questions as Richard Spaide, MD. He is a brilliant innovator and ‘retinal philosopher’ whose research and novel theories on the pathophysiology of retinal disorders have spawned nearly 400 peer-reviewed publications, including many of the most-cited and influential papers in the field. Listen in as Dr. Spaide discusses his professional journey, his proudest accomplishments and the inspiration behind many of his most notable papers.

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.