I was dramatically educated about the global impact of The Wills Eye Manual while working at an ORBIS clinic in Vientiane almost 20 years ago. When I pulled out the manual to determine what antibiotics might be available in Laos for a patient with active toxoplasmosis, the large group of physicians in attendance for the program began buzzing excitedly. My translator was excited too! This book, he explained to me, was famous—some of these ophthalmologists had seen xeroxed copies of it in Bangkok! It was a special honor to tell them that we had brought actual print copies of the latest edition with us as gifts for them all.

That pride finds its echo today as I look over this new edition of what has become an iconic part of the medical literature’s Eye Canon. This pocket-sized tome, the best-selling book in Ophthalmology worldwide, dates originally to 1990 thanks to the handwritten notes of two Wills residents, Christopher Rapuano and Mark Friedberg. Thirty-five years later the manual retains its immediacy and clinical relevance, and it remains the work of the Wills Eye Hospital Residents. Dr. Rapuano, after all these years, still meticulously assures its content, with the help of his faculty colleagues. This latest edition features more than 200 diagnoses, updated photos and references, many more videos of key techniques and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, updated treatment guidelines, and a totally revised Uveitis chapter, among other additions.

It is a true privilege for me to smash a figurative champagne bottle against the prow of this newly launching ship, a vessel of distilled knowledge and both time-tested and cutting edge new, practical advice. May she sail the world’s seas in pursuit of eye health and the service of our profession. Fair winds, and following seas!

Julia A. Haller, MD

Ophthalmologist-in-Chief

Wills Eye Hospital

Philadelphia

THE WILLS EYE MANUAL EDITORS

First Edition, 1990:

Editors: Mark A. Friedberg, M.D. and Christopher J. Rapuano, M.D.

Second Edition, 1994:

Editors: R. Douglas Cullom, Jr., M.D. and Benjamin Chang, M.D.

Third Edition, 1999:

Editors: Douglas J. Rhee, M.D. and Mark F. Pyfer, M.D.

Fourth Edition, 2004:

Editors: Derek Y. Kunimoto, M.D., Kunal D. Kanitkar, M.D., and Mary S. Makar, M.D.

Fifth Edition, 2008:

Editors: Justis P. Ehlers, M.D. and Chirag P. Shah, M.D.

Associate Editors: Gregory L. Fenton, M.D., Eliza N. Hoskins, M.D., and Heather N. Shelsta, M.D.

Sixth Edition, 2012:

Editors: Adam T. Gerstenblith, M.D. and Michael P. Rabinowitz, M.D.

Associate Editors: Behin I. Barahimi, M.D. and Christopher M. Fecarotta, M.D.

Seventh Edition, 2017:

Editors: Nika Bagheri, M.D. and Brynn N. Wajda, M.D.

Multimedia Editors: Charles M. Calvo, M.D. and Alia K. Durrani, M.D.

Eighth Edition, 2022:

Editors: Kalla A. Gervasio, M.D. and Travis J. Peck, M.D.

Multimedia Editors: Cherie A. Fathy, M.D., M.P.H., and Meera D. Sivalingam, M.D.

Ninth Edition, 2026

Editors: Collin J. Richards, M.D. and Mara E. Penne, M.D.

Multimedia Editor: Erik Massenzio, M.D.