A survey is given of the current state of optics in the Federal Republic of Germany. Basic research is conducted at many universities and technical colleges, by government agencies and government sponsored research institutes, and in industry. All of these have made substantial contributions to modern optics. Applied research in conventional optics, directed toward the design and production of precision optical instrumentation, and toward the development of optical measurement techniques, continues to play an important role. Most of this work is carried out by Germany's precision engineering and optical industry-Education and training in opties is offered by many universities, technical colleges, and engineer's schools, and by industry.