The main trends in the development of electron optics have been discussed. The foliowings are noteworthy: rotationally symmetrical electron optics for the weak narrow electron beam

electron optical matrix algebra and optimization design

non-rotationally symmetrical multipole systems

the progress of scanning electron beam system-a combined fo-cusing-deflection system

electron optics for the wide electron beam

electron and ion optical systems with a curvilinear axis

wave electron optics. The future development and applications of electron optics have also been outlined.