The Essentials in Ophthalmology series represents readership acceptance of the first two series, each of an unique updating publication on the progress in all eight volumes. This is a success that was made p- subspecialties of ophthalmology. sible predominantly by the numerous opinion-leading In a quarterly rhythm, eight issues are published authors and the outstanding section editors, as well as covering clinically relevant achievements in the whole with the constructive support of the publisher. There field of ophthalmology. This timely transfer of advance- are many good reasons to continue and still improve ments for the best possible care of our eye patients has the dissemination of this didactic and clinically r- proven to be effective. The initial working hypothesis of evant information. providing new knowledge immediately following p- lication in the peer-reviewed journal and not waiting G.K. Krieglstein for the textbook appears to be highly workable. R.N. Weinreb We are now entering the third cycle of the Essentials Series Editors in Ophthalmology series, having been encouraged by September 2008 Preface We are pleased to share with our readers this Third uncorrected and, in one instance, corrected vision. Edition of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, less than Topics in corneal refractive surgery include disc- three years from publication of the Second Edition. sion of the management of higher order aberrations The dramatic pace of change in cataract and refractive and corneal procedures for treating presbyopia.