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The eye has fascinated scientists from the earliest days of biological investigation. The diversity of its parts and the precision of their interac­ tion make it a favorite model system for a variety of developmental studies. The eye is a particularly valuable experimental system not only because its tissues provide examples of fundamental processes, but also because it is a prominent and easily accessible structure at very early embryonic ages. In order to provide an open forum for investigators working on all aspects of ocular development, a series of symposia on ocular and visual de­ velopment was initiated in 1973. A second purpose has been to foster communication between the basic research worker and the clinical community. It is our feeling that much can be learned on both sides from this interaction. The idea for an informal meeting allowing a maximum exchange of ideas originated with Dr. Leon Candeub, who supplied the necessary driving force that made the series a reality.

The Seventh Symposium on Ocular and Visual Development was held in October, 1982. The aim of the meeting was to develop a broad perspective on visual acuity. The subject was discussed initially in terms of molecular events of photoreception, and the metabolism of the photoreceptor ele­ ments. Subsequent papers presented the development and complexity of the neurocircuitry and transmitter systems in the retina that process the visual information prior to transfer to the brain. The meeting concluded with a series of papers on behavioral and physiological methods of mea­ surement of visual acuity in humans, particularly young children. This volume arose from the papers presented at the meeting. We feel that the juxtaposition of research of broadly differing methodologies will be stim­ ulating, rather than daunting, and will generate an enhanced understand­ ing of this complex subject. We are indebted to our colleagues: Dr. M. Mote from Temple University, and Drs. J. Siegfried, P. Dayhaw-Barker, and L. Press from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry for their expertise and assistance in the organization of the meeting; to the speakers for their presentations and contributions to this volume; and to the reviewers of the manuscripts for their helpful comments. This symposium could not have been held without the generous support of the Temple University College of Arts and Sciences and the Pennsyl­ vania College of Optometry. We also thank Merck, Sharp and Dohme, Inc. for their donation.