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.