In this interview, Dr. Emily Chew discusses her early experiences at NIH in evaluating the efficacy and role of laser photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Chew cites the Diabetic Research Study (DRS) and the subsequent Early Treatment Study (ETDRS) as landmark trials not only for their importance to ophthalmology and laser treatment but for medicine in general. With the emergence of the DRCR.net, Dr. Chew expects future randomized trials to further define the role of laser in the management of diabetic retinopathy, especially as medical options such as anti-VEGF agents are also investigated for both proliferative and nonproliferative disease.