The evolution of particular methods of refractive surgery is presented including the origins of radial keratotomy, relaxing incisions, keartophakia, epiferatophakia and keratomileusis as well as recent adaptation of lasers for the surgical treatment of refractive error. Such famous persons as Barraquer, Sato, and Fidorov are discussed in particular. The history not only of great achievements but also of some of the false ideas which accompanied efforts to obtain the emmetropia is presented.