This first volume of the series Essentials in Ophthalmology aims to give a picture of recent progress in the field of glaucoma, in both basic clinical research and applied clinical science. Its intention is not to replace textbooks on glaucoma, but to serve as a conceptual bridge between original research and textbook presentation. The volume encompasses (a) genetic aspects of different forms of glaucoma, such as normal tension glaucoma, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, childhood glaucoma, and angle closure glaucoma, (b) methods of diagnosis, such as imaging techniques, visual fields, electrophysiology, and ultrasound biomicroscopy, and (c) aspects of therapy, such as the target pressure concept, wound modulation in glaucoma surgery, neuroprotection, treatment of normal tension glaucoma, and the evaluation of nonpenetrating surgery. The editors have set out to provide the reader with a diversity of interesting topics reflective of the evidence-based, modern approach to the field of glaucoma.