The European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) was established in 1999 to promote the sharing of knowledge among European vitreoretinal and macula specialists. Our annual congresses are the highlight of the Society's annual activity, and since the 1st EURETINA Congress in 2001, participation has expanded rapidly from 211 to over 5,000 in recent years. The congress aims to promote the exchange of knowledge and encourage critical discussion of new research and techniques between vitreoretinal and macula specialists worldwide. EURETINA actively promotes new diagnostic developments, advances in vitreoretinal surgery, the development and application of new drugs, and changes in macular degeneration treatment. The Society is particularly committed to educating young vitreoretinal surgeons and encouraging the pursuit of its subspecialty among newly qualified ophthalmologists.