Research contributions in ophthalmology: Australia's productivity

Background: In 2000, the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology (ANZJO) changed title to Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. At this time, a review of Australia's contributions to the literature over the previous 21 years appears timely. Bibliometric indicators are used extensively to assess research performance as they offer views of a field that might not otherwise be apparent. The aim of this study was to explore publication output data to construct a picture of ophthalmology that may be of benefit to researchers and ophthalmologists. Methods: Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index databases were used to collate data on ophthal­mology research literature from 1980 to 2000. Subsequent analysis particularly focused on Australia's contribution to this literature, including publication frequency vis‐à‐vis the world, collaboration, and the journals in which Australian researchers frequently publish. These data were also compared with other countries of similar scientific stature or language. Results: Since 1980, Australia has ranked in the top 10 nations contributing to world ophthalmology research. Its contribution was close to world average in the 1980s, but increasing numbers of researchers and papers show Australia exceeding the world average during the 1990s. Most ophthalmology research collaboration by Australians is within Australia. Although fewer in number, collaborative papers with overseas researchers include 28 other countries. Data on the journals in which Australians publish show that Australian researchers continue to exhibit a preference for publication in their own regional journals. Conclusions: This paper, one of a series on the literature of the vision sciences, provides some initial benchmarks on Australia's standing and contribution to the field of ophthalmology research.