About the Journal
The Journal of Ophthalmic Science—advancing clinical and translational ophthalmology through rigorous open access research publication.
Bridging Laboratory Discovery and Patient Care
JOS is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research that advances our understanding of ocular diseases, diagnostics, therapeutics, surgery, and patient outcomes in ophthalmology and vision science. Our mandate is to connect laboratory innovation with clinical practice, improving patient care worldwide.
The Journal of Ophthalmic Science exists to bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and patient care. We publish clinical and translational research that directly impacts how ophthalmologists diagnose, treat, and manage ocular conditions. Our mandate encompasses the full spectrum of clinical ophthalmology—from anterior segment disease to vitreoretinal pathology, from glaucoma management to neuro-ophthalmology, and from pediatric to geriatric eye care.
Our vision is to become a leading platform for ophthalmic research that shapes the future of vision care. We believe that open access publication accelerates the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice, ultimately improving visual outcomes for patients worldwide. By publishing research that advances these goals, JOS contributes to the global effort to prevent blindness and visual impairment.
JOS is committed to a clinical and translational ophthalmology mandate. We prioritize research with direct implications for patient care across the full spectrum of ophthalmic subspecialties:
Ocular Diseases
Etiology, pathophysiology, and progression of conditions across the entire eye, including corneal, lenticular, glaucomatous, and retinal pathology. Research on inherited retinal diseases, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease is particularly welcome.
Diagnostics & Imaging
Advances in clinical examination, ocular imaging (OCT, fundus photography, ultrasound biomicroscopy), AI-driven screening tools, and biomarker development. Research on early detection and monitoring of progressive conditions is highly valued.
Therapeutics
Medical management, pharmacological interventions, drug delivery systems, and gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases. Studies evaluating safety, efficacy, and comparative effectiveness of ophthalmic treatments are welcome.
Surgical Techniques
Novel and modified surgical approaches for cataract, glaucoma, vitreoretinal, corneal, and oculoplastic procedures with outcome analysis. Research on surgical innovation and comparative outcomes is encouraged.
- Patient Outcomes: Visual function outcomes, quality of life measures, comparative effectiveness research, and health services research in ophthalmology
- Population Eye Health: Epidemiology of blindness and visual impairment, screening programs, and public health approaches to vision care
- Pediatric Ophthalmology: Childhood eye conditions, amblyopia, strabismus, and developmental aspects of vision
- Neuro-ophthalmology: Research on optic nerve disorders, visual pathway abnormalities, and neurological conditions affecting vision
- Ocular Oncology: Diagnosis and treatment of intraocular and periocular tumors
- Uveitis & Inflammation: Ocular inflammatory conditions, autoimmune eye disease, and immunomodulatory therapy
Choosing the right journal for your research is an important decision. JOS offers researchers a combination of subspecialty expertise, rigorous review, and maximum visibility for ophthalmic research:
- Expert Peer Review: Single-blind peer review by subspecialty ophthalmology experts who understand the unique clinical and technical aspects of eye research
- Rapid Turnaround: Initial editorial decisions within 2-4 weeks, with prompt publication following acceptance
- Open Access: All articles freely available under CC BY 4.0 license, ensuring maximum reach and clinical impact
- Permanent Citation: Every article receives a CrossRef DOI for lifetime citability and discoverability
- Global Visibility: Indexed and discoverable across major academic databases and search engines
- Clinical Focus: Reach readers who translate research into patient care in clinical practice
JOS maintains rigorous standards for publication ethics and scientific quality. We adhere to COPE guidelines for handling ethical issues, screen all submissions for plagiarism, and require transparent reporting of methods and results. Authors must declare conflicts of interest and confirm appropriate ethical approvals for research involving human subjects or animal models.
Open Access Commitment
All JOS articles are published under Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, ensuring free and immediate access for ophthalmologists, optometrists, vision researchers, and healthcare professionals worldwide. Open access publication removes barriers to knowledge dissemination and accelerates the translation of ophthalmic research into clinical practice.
JOS's editorial board comprises internationally recognized experts in clinical ophthalmology, surgical subspecialties, and vision science. Our editors bring expertise spanning retinal disease, glaucoma, cornea, cataract surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and neuro-ophthalmology. The board is responsible for maintaining scientific standards, managing the peer review process, and guiding the journal's strategic direction in this rapidly evolving field.
JOS welcomes submissions across the full spectrum of ophthalmic research:
- Original Research: Empirical studies presenting novel findings from clinical trials, surgical outcomes, imaging studies, and translational research
- Systematic Reviews: Rigorous evidence syntheses following PRISMA guidelines that address clinically relevant ophthalmic questions
- Case Series: Carefully documented series with clinical insights that advance understanding of ocular conditions
- Technical Reports: Detailed descriptions of novel surgical techniques, diagnostic methods, or therapeutic approaches
- Perspectives: Expert commentary on emerging trends, clinical practice, and future directions in ophthalmology
JOS is committed to ensuring maximum discoverability for published research. All articles are submitted to major indexing services and receive CrossRef DOI registration for permanent citation. Articles are discoverable through Google Scholar, academic search engines, and citation tracking services worldwide.
The Journal of Ophthalmic Science was founded to address the growing need for accessible, high-quality publication venues dedicated to clinical ophthalmology research. Since our inception, we have been committed to bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and patient care. Our editorial philosophy emphasizes rigorous peer review by subspecialty experts balanced with efficient processing to ensure timely dissemination of important findings.
All manuscripts submitted to JOS undergo rigorous single-blind peer review. Reviewers are selected for their subspecialty expertise in the relevant area of ophthalmology. The review process evaluates scientific validity, methodological rigor, clinical relevance, innovation, and presentation quality. Authors receive detailed feedback from ophthalmology experts that helps strengthen their work regardless of the final decision. Our goal is to support authors in producing high-quality research that advances vision care.
JOS provides comprehensive support throughout the publication journey. Our editorial team offers responsive communication, clear guidance on revisions, and assistance with technical submission issues. We understand that ophthalmic research often involves complex imaging data, surgical videos, and specialized clinical photography, and our production team is experienced in handling these materials appropriately. Authors receive dedicated editorial assistance from submission through publication.
JOS serves the global ophthalmic community, publishing research from institutions worldwide. Our open access model ensures that ophthalmic research from any country can reach its full potential audience without geographic or financial barriers. We particularly encourage submissions from researchers in regions with limited access to traditional publication venues, ensuring that important ophthalmology research from all corners of the world contributes to the advancement of vision care.
Join the JOS Community
Submit your clinical and translational ophthalmology research today.