The Retina Society

What The Retina Society does

The Retina Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional medical society founded in 1968 by Charles L. Schepens, credited as the father of modern retinal surgery. Headquartered at 860 Winter Street in Waltham, Massachusetts, the Society is organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes concerning the diagnosis, care, and treatment of diseases and injuries to the retina. It serves approximately 750 practicing vitreoretinal specialists and researchers worldwide, with membership restricted to physicians certified in ophthalmology who have completed vitreoretinal fellowship training, plus associate members in basic science and clinical research roles.

The Society's core offerings center on its Annual Scientific Meeting (the 59th scheduled for September 2026 in Los Angeles), a Research Grants Program that funds three $50,000 grants annually through a 2022 partnership with the International Retina Research Foundation, the RESOURCE Mentoring Program for underrepresented ophthalmology residents, a portfolio of awards including the $50,000 Award of Merit in Retina Research (funded by the Retina Research Foundation since 1978) and the J. Donald M. Gass Lectureship, abstract submission infrastructure for CME-accredited content, and a global member directory. Technology footprint is limited to a website and member portal for applications, registration, and submissions; the Society does not develop proprietary software products.

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: membership dues, annual meeting registration fees ($400-$1,350 depending on member status and timing), corporate exhibitor sponsorships with tiers ranging from $5,000 (Medical Publisher) to $100,000 (Diamond Patron), donations to a Research and Education Fund (with President's Circle recognition at $2,500+), and inbound research grant funding via the IRRF partnership. Operations are administered by a small team (1-10 employees) under an elected executive board with David Zacks serving as President for the 2025-2027 term.

Name

The Retina Society

Legal name

The Retina Society

Website

https://www.retinasociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Retina Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional medical society founded in 1968 that serves approximately 750 vitreoretinal specialists worldwide through an annual scientific meeting, research grants, awards programs, and the RESOURCE mentoring initiative for underrepresented ophthalmology residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Medical Society / Ophthalmology Subspecialty

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Retina & Vitreous Specialists (HLAKAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

Keywords

• Vitreoretinal subspecialty society
• Ophthalmic professional education
• Retina research grants
• Medical society membership
• Scientific meeting organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Waltham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from Active and Associate members who are practicing physicians or researchers in vitreoretinal diseases.
2. Annual Meeting Registration: Registration fees for the Annual Scientific Meeting ranging from $400-$1,350 depending on member status and timing. Includes continental breakfast, breaks, lunches, welcome reception, and banquet.
3. Corporate Exhibitor Fees: Exhibitor registration at Annual Scientific Meeting with tiers from $25,000 (Benefactor) to $100,000 (Diamond Patron), plus Medical Publisher rate of $5,000.
4. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations to the Research and Education Fund (501(c)(3) organization). Members donating $2,500+ recognized as President's Circle. Donation options include credit card, check, or direct stock transfer.
5. Research Grants (Inbound Funding): Partnership with International Retina Research Foundation to fund three $50,000 grants annually for basic science/translational or clinical research by members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Retina Society is a professional medical society that organizes an annual scientific meeting, administers research grants in partnership with the International Retina Research Foundation, runs the RESOURCE mentoring program for underrepresented ophthalmology residents, and provides membership services to practicing vitreoretinal specialists and researchers worldwide. Core offerings include the Annual Scientific Meeting with CME-accredited abstract presentations, tiered membership dues, and named awards and fellowships recognizing excellence in retina research.

Product overview

The Retina Society operates as a preeminent ophthalmic subspecialty society, not a traditional product company. Its core offerings center on professional society services including the Annual Scientific Meeting (59th meeting scheduled for September 2026 in Los Angeles), Research Grants Program (partnership with International Retina Research Foundation funding three $50,000 grants annually), the RESOURCE Mentoring Program for underrepresented residents, Awards (Award of Merit in Retina Research, J. Donald M. Gass Lectureship, Fellowship Awards), Membership Services with Active and Associate tiers, Abstract Submission for CME-accredited conferences, and Member Directory. These services are provided as integrated offerings to vitreoretinal specialists rather than as discrete software products or modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RESOURCE Program: Retina Society Underrepresented in Medicine (RESOURCE) Mentoring Program - a research mentoring program for ophthalmology residents from underrepresented populations.

Products and services

• Annual Scientific Meeting Annual flagship event featuring scientific sessions, presentations, poster sessions, CME-accredited abstract presentations, and networking opportunities for vitreoretinal specialists. The 59th annual meeting is scheduled for September 23-26, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA.
• Research Grants Program Annual research and education grant program funding innovative research by Retina Society members in basic science, translational, or clinical research on vitreoretinal diseases. Partnership with the International Retina Research Foundation funds three $50,000 grants annually.
• RESOURCE Mentoring Program Retina Society Underrepresented in Medicine (RESOURCE) research mentoring program pairing ophthalmology residents from underrepresented backgrounds with Retina Society mentors to support research and career development in the retina subspecialty.
• Award of Merit in Retina Research $50,000 cash prize award recognizing outstanding vision scientists whose work contributes to knowledge about the retina and retinal diseases, presented in conjunction with the Charles L. Schepens Lecture at the Annual Scientific Meeting.
• J. Donald M. Gass Lectureship Annual lectureship honoring Dr. J. Donald M. Gass, a distinguished observer of the fundus, recognizing fundamental patterns of disease identification.
• Fellowship Awards Awards given to one or more Fellows for outstanding original work in vitreoretinal disease, including the Raymond R. Margherio Award for macular diseases or surgery research.
• Membership Services Professional society membership for vitreoretinal specialists, including Active Membership (practicing physicians certified in ophthalmology) and Associate Membership (basic science/clinical researchers), providing member directory, research grants access, and networking opportunities.
• Abstract Submission System Online platform for submitting scientific abstracts for presentation at the Annual Scientific Meeting, including financial disclosure forms for CME accreditation. Late-breaking abstracts accepted.
• Member Directory Searchable directory providing contact information for Retina Society members from around the world.

Quantifiable outcome

• 750 vitreoretinal specialists worldwide as members
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Vitreous SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined meeting held in San Francisco in 2002 with Vitreous Society.
• Macula SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined meeting held in Boston in 1989 with Macula Society.
• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLejla Vajzovic serves as Interagency Representative for AAO on The Retina Society's committees. John Miller serves as alternate representative.
• Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaker Hubbard and Christina Weng serve as Interagency Representatives for AUPO on The Retina Society's committees.
• Club Jules GoninminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical combined meetings held with Club Jules Gonin in 1996 (Berne, Switzerland) and 2006 (Cape Town, SA).
• Societa Italiana della RetinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined meeting held in Rome, Italy in 2011 with Societa Italiana della Retina.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS): ASRS is the largest U.S. society dedicated to vitreoretinal specialists, hosting an annual meeting and continuing medical education. It directly overlaps with The Retina Society's mission of serving practicing vitreoretinal physicians, though ASRS has a broader membership base and larger annual meeting.
• Macula Society: The Macula Society is a close international peer for vitreoretinal specialists, holding a smaller invitation-only annual meeting. The Retina Society previously held a combined meeting with the Macula Society in Boston in 1989, confirming their overlapping subspecialty scope.
• Club Jules Gonin: Club Jules Gonin is a European international retinal society that has held multiple combined meetings with The Retina Society (Berne 1996, Cape Town 2006). Both societies serve an invitation-only retina subspecialty membership of physicians and researchers.
• European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA): EURETINA is the European counterpart serving retina specialists across Europe, organizing an annual congress. It directly parallels The Retina Society in mission and serves an overlapping international retina specialist audience.

Broad incumbents

• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO): ARVO is the largest vision research organization globally, encompassing all ophthalmology and vision science researchers rather than just vitreoretinal specialists. It is a broader incumbent that intersects with The Retina Society's research-grant and education mission.
• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): AAO is the largest U.S. ophthalmology professional society, covering all ophthalmologists rather than just retina specialists. The Retina Society maintains an interagency representative relationship with AAO, signaling their overlapping governance and CME missions.

Emerging players

• Retina International: Retina International is a global umbrella organization focused on patient advocacy and research for inherited retinal diseases. It overlaps with The Retina Society's disease-focused mission but serves patients and advocacy rather than physician members.

Others

• International Retina Research Foundation (IRRF): IRRF is a financial partner of The Retina Society that funds three $50,000 research grants annually for Retina Society members. It is a closely aligned funder rather than a peer society, sharing research-funding objectives for retinal diseases.
• Retina Research Foundation: Retina Research Foundation established and funds the Award of Merit in Retina Research presented at The Retina Society's annual meeting since 1978. It is a closely aligned funding partner rather than a competing peer society.

Regional players

• British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons (BEAVRS): BEAVRS is the U.K. and Ireland vitreoretinal surgical society, hosting an annual meeting. It serves a similar vitreoretinal specialist audience but operates regionally in the British Isles rather than competing globally with The Retina Society.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RetinaSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-retina-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/theretinasociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Retina Society