2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/10512I review what properties of the white-dwarf companions of recycled pulsars can be inferred from optical observations, and discuss how these can help us understand the characteristics and evolution of these binaries. I focus on spectroscopic observations, describing results obtained recently, and looking forward to what may come.8 pages of text and figures. To appear in Proc. IAU Coll. 160, "Pulsars: Problems and Progress". Uses paspconf.sty and psfig.styAstrophysicstext