The Importance of Reviewers

Journals constitute an essential component of our information dissemination infrastructure because unlike meetings, the information contained therein is, or ought to be, subject to the rigors of peer review. I suspect that most of us rely heavily on the fidelity of the peer-review process to help create the zeitgeist of the scientific milieu in which we function. Unfortunately, even highly cited basic science research does not always produce results that are replicated.1,2 Errors in study design seem to occur more frequently than they should, even in basic research.3 Constructive, critical peer review is thus an essential part of our information dissemination process. We are indebted to the TVST reviewers for the immensely important contributions they have made to the quality of the journal and for the service they have provided to the entire vision research community. On behalf of our Associate Editors, Editors, and readers, I thank each of you sincerely.Among the highly accomplished individuals who have generously donated their time and expertise for our benefit, a subset have made outstanding contributions due to the exceptional care with which they have reviewed manuscripts. The Editors of TVST have been asked to recognize these individuals by identifying them as “exceptional reviewers.” I am pleased to offer special recognition to these individuals as part of our thanks to each of the reviewers for TVST.TVST is our journal, and it will be as useful a source of information as we make it through the submission of our work and, no less, through the peer review to which that work is subjected.Thank you again for your important contribution as an “exceptional reviewer”!