Colour Vision Deficiences VIII brings together information on the latest trends in the following areas of research: -Visual effects of intense lights; -Effects of intoxications on colour vision; -Ageing and vision; -Methods of examination; -Congenital defects; -Acquired defects; -Practical aspects; -Physiological bases. This volume is a natural follow-up on Volumes VI and VII published in 1981 and 1983 respectively by Dr. W. Junk Publishers.

From the 98 presentations of the XIIth Symposium on Colour Vision Deficiencies, 61 were selected after peer review and revision by the authors. In addition to these contributions this volume contains a cumulative index to all authors in the IRGCVD proceedings since the first one in 1968, including the present volume. The contents include contributions on basic questions of anatomical and electrophysiological organisation of the neural pathways underlying colour vision; and on ways in which disturbances of these pathways can produce acquired colour vision deficiencies. Further contributions deal with genetics and congenital red--green colour deficiencies and colour vision testing. The resulting publication contains much of interest to basic vision scientists as well as to specialists in colour vision deficiencies.

Since its inception, the International Research Group on Colour Vision Deficiencies (IRGCVD) has followed the policy that the Symposium Pro ceedings should be as close as possible to a complete record of the scientific content of the meeting. This policy has the advantage of providing an accurate picture of the current state of the art in research on color vision deficiencies, but it also has the disadvantage that papers typically span a wide range of quality. In this volume, however, we have instituted a system of peer review in an effort to enhance scientific quality as much as possible while continuing our past policy of publishing all submitted manuscripts. In addition to being edited for English composition and grammar, each of the papers included here has been carefully reviewed by an IRGCVD member selected for his or her expertise in the specific topic of the paper. Reviewers were instructed to include in their comments suggestions for improvement rather than recom or rejection. In our opinion, this review process mendations for publication has resulted in substantial improvement of many of the articles and has enhanced the value of the publication. We are pleased to acknowledge the efforts of our reviewers and offer them our sincere thanks for their important contributions to Colour Vision Deficiencies X. The Editors B. Drum, J. D. Moreland & A. Serra (eds. ), Colour Vision Deficiencies X, p. xiii.

The 13th biennial Symposium of the International Research Group on Colour Vision Deficiencies was held from 27 July to 30 July, 1995, in the splendidjin de siecle Theatre Saint Louis, in Pau, France. A total of 80 papers and posters were presented during the four days, of which 56 have been selected for inclusion in this volume. Each has been reviewed by two of the Editors. Additionally, in numerous cases in which specialized knowledge was called for the Editors asked for external help; their assistance is acknowledged below. While Pau now exists largely on agriculture and, more recently, oil extraction and refining, a century ago it was a winter resort that rivalled Cannes and Nice; indeed, Baedeker judged the air of Pau to be preferable for those of a nervous disposition. Pau and the surrounding Beam district are rich in history and have close ties to the Basque region, both of which were exploited brilliantly by the local organizers, Doctors Jean and Veronique Lied, to introduce the partici pants to the gastronomy and traditions of the region. The Committee of the IRGCVD owe a great debt of gratitude to the external reviewers, Oscar Estevez, Karl Gegenfurtner, Gunilla Haegerstrom-Portnoy, RL. Hilz, John Krauskopf, Anne Kurtenbach, Barry B. Lee, Adam Reeves, Marilyn Schneck, L.T. Sharpe, Eugene Switkes, Wayne Verdon, and B.A.

Proceedings of the Ninth symposium of the International Research Group on Colour Vision Deficiencies, held at St. John's College, Annapolis, MD, July 1-3, 1987.