29 July 2020

College research journal increases impact on international scale

Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO) retains its position as the top-ranked optometry journal in the world.

Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO) – the research journal of the College of Optometrists – continues to prove to be vital among optometrists, ophthalmologists and vision scientists, as new figures show that articles from the journal are increasingly cited in peer reviewed literature. OPO retains its position as the top-ranked optometry journal in the world.

OPO is a leading international interdisciplinary journal that addresses basic and applied questions pertinent to contemporary research in vision science and optometry. It publishes original research papers, technical notes, reviews and letters and will interest researchers, educators and clinicians concerned with the development, use and restoration of vision.

The rise in the journal’s impact is demonstrated in both the latest Journal Citations Reports (JCR) release, published by the Web of Science Group, and in rankings from Scopus, Elsevier’s abstract and citation database. The data show an increase in OPO’s impact factor (IF), which measures the average number of times articles from the previous two (or five) years are cited in scientific and social science journals in a given year.

Professor Mark Rosenfield, newly appointed Editor-in-Chief of OPO, said: “These numbers reflect the increasing importance of OPO within the international vision science community.  The journal continues to disseminate the very latest developments in the field.”

The new data/rankings are listed below:

  • 2.62: 2-Year Journal Impact Factor, an increase from 2.56 in 2019
  • 3.10: 5-year Journal Impact Factor, up from 2.84. This is the first time an optometry journal has had an IF over 3.0
  • 18/60 in Ophthalmology: 2-Year JCR IF ranking
  • 15/60 in Ophthalmology (Q1): 5-year JCR IF ranking
  • 1.02: The Article Influence (AI) score. This is the first time an optometry journal has obtained an AI over 1, indicating an above average influence on the literature.
  • 1/9 in Optometry; Q1 rankings in 3 categories - Optometry, Ophthalmology and Sensory Systems: 2019 Elsevier Scopus rankings

Michael Bowen, Director of Research at the College said; “OPO’s continuing success and commitment to excellence exemplifies The College’s key role in disseminating optometry and vision science research. Now, more than ever, optometrists must rely on evidence in their daily practice, just as The College relies on it to support our work with policymakers to ensure optometry is able to support UK eye health effectively. For example, the guest editorial by Lawrenson and Buckley in the current issue summarises what we have learned so far about the effects of COVID‐19 on the eye and the implications of the current pandemic for eye care practitioners.”

All members of The College of Optometrists have access to OPO online.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

  1. The College is the professional body for optometry. It qualifies the profession and delivers the guidance and training to ensure optometrists provide the best possible care. We promote excellence through the College’s affixes, by building the evidence base for optometry, and raising awareness of the profession with the public, commissioners, and health care professionals.
     
  2. First published in 1925, Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics (OPO), is the research journal of The College of Optometrists, available free for all members. OPO is an international, interdisciplinary journal that addresses basic and applied questions pertinent to contemporary research in vision science and optometry. It publishes original research papers, technical notes, reviews and letters and will interest researchers, educators and clinicians concerned with the development, use and restoration of vision. For the past six years, OPO has been the top-ranked international optometric research journal.

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