What is the purpose of launching the World Journal of Ophthalmology?

Abstract

Welcome to the World Journal of Ophthalmology (WJO), a new general ophthalmology journal from Baishideng Publishing Group. The aim of the journal is to promote high quality research for and from eye-care practitioners all over the world. The WJO is a new member of the World Journal series of peer-reviewed, international English-language, open-access journals that are designed to provide a fast peer review process for all submitted manuscripts. We intended to provide the most up-to-date electronic means of articles in all fields of ophthalmology. New journal that is available on internet for everyone will provide a forum for publication and free access of high quality scientific papers documenting clinical and experimental advances in the areas of ophthalmology. All subspecialties within ophthalmology, visual sciences, pharmacology and drug therapy in eye diseases, primary and secondary eye care, patient safety reports, surgical techniques, and improvements in quality of care will be accepted for publication. We look forward in the future to your fascinating contributions to the WJO.

Key Words: Inaugural; Aims; Ophthalmology; General; Journal; Peer-reviewed; Open-access; Online

INTRODUCTION

I am Umit Ubeyt Inan, Professor of Ophthalmology from University of Afyon Kocatepe, Turkey (Figure 1) and the Editor-in-Chief of the World Journal of Ophthalmology (World J Ophthalmol, WJO, online ISSN 2218-6239, DOI: 10.5318). It is my great honor to introduce the WJO as a new peer-reviewed journal for sharing ideas and experiences about all subjects of eye diseases as well as any particular ophthalmic issue remaining to be solved. I would like to welcome you to the WJO that is a general ophthalmology journal and is international.

Figure 1 Editor-in-Chief of the World Journal of Ophthalmology. Umit Ubeyt Inan, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Kocatepe University, 03200 Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.

I am very happy to announce that the first issue of the WJO, whose preparatory work was initiated on December 1, 2010, is officially published on December 30, 2011. We hope you will enjoy our inaugural issue. The WJO Editorial Board has now been established and consists of 103 distinguished experts from 27 countries. While the WJO is introducing itself to the ophthalmology community worldwide with the first issue, I guess that some of you are thinking: why do we need a new journal in ophthalmology? What is the purpose of launching the WJO?

We are observing many scientific, surgical and technological advancements occurring in ophthalmology. So, all healthcare professionals like clinicians and researchers in this field need regular, quality-based publishing resources where they can read newest and original studies and publish their own papers. Now we will have a new journal, the WJO, dedicated solely to our specialty, published by the Baishideng Publishing Group. It aims to provide the practicing ophthalmologist with information on the latest clinical and laboratory-based research. Our main focus is to make the journal of interest to all eye care practitioners. Basic and visual scientists are invited to submit clinically relevant articles.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WJO

The WJO is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes original research articles, review articles, and clinical studies in all areas of ophthalmology. We aim at concise, rapid reporting and very fast review and decisions upon manuscripts and also fast publication that is made by paperless workflow of the journal and its digital and networked structure. A relatively large, international Editorial Board of experts in ophthalmology collaboratively runs the WJO. Well-written and informative articles that have been reviewed by at least one peer will be heart of the WJO. All we can see these expectations by following the WJO over the forthcoming months and years.

AIMS, SCOPE AND COLUMNS

The aim of the WJO is to serve as a resource for ophthalmologists and vision scientists throughout the world. It aims to provide the most complete and reliable source of information on current developments in the field. The emphasis will be on publishing high-quality papers rapidly and freely available to researchers worldwide. All areas of eye disease will be covered (diagnostic imaging, optometry, ocular fundus diseases, cataract, glaucoma, keratopathy, ocular trauma, strabismus, and pediatric ocular diseases, blindness prevention, traditional medicine, integrated Chinese and Western medicine, evidence-based medicine, epidemiology and nursing). The journal also publishes original articles and reviews that report the results of applied and basic research in fields related to ophthalmology, such as immunology, physiopathology, cell biology, pharmacology, medical genetics, and pharmacology of Chinese herbs). Manuscripts are welcome for both clinical and basic science topics. Original papers, short communications, original case reports and reviews of important areas and perspectives on recent developments can be submitted. Letters to the Editor on papers or any aspect of the WJO are welcomed.

CONTENTS OF PEER REVIEW

In order to guarantee the quality of articles published in the journal, the WJO usually invites three experts to comment on the submitted papers. The contents of peer review include: (1) whether the contents of the manuscript are of great importance and novelty; (2) whether the experiment is complete and described clearly; (3) whether the discussion and conclusion are justified; (4) whether the citations of references are necessary and reasonable; and (5) whether the presentation and use of tables and figures are correct and complete.

BENEFITS OF OPEN ACCESS SYSTEM

The WJO is an international English-language open-access online journal available on Internet for everyone. New journal will provide a forum for publication and free access of high-quality scientific reports documenting clinical and experimental advances in all areas of ophthalmology. There are many ophthalmological journals in the printed form or online form that necessitates subscription with fee. Thus there is restricted access to the material published by these subscription-based journals. In the open-access policy, all articles become freely and universally accessible online, and anyone can read one’s work at no cost[1]. There are some other benefits of open-access system. Authors are assured that their work is disseminated to largest audience by knowing that there are no barriers to access their work. Any information that is available freely is generally more likely to be looked at than information that is subscription-based. Moreover, because of easier availability, free online articles have a more chance of being cited[2,3]. Authors consider open access as an important factor in deciding to which journal to submit their work[4]. In addition, the worldwide availability of articles can further increase literature searching[5]. Other benefit is educational. Achievement to the results of research by physicians of training in ophthalmology is limited by their Library’s budget. Better quality of education in ophthalmology can be possible with open access to publications. Another benefit is economical. The audience in economically poor institutions or countries can read the same material like ones in well-developed institutions or countries[6]. You can also find more information about maximization of benefits of journals by open-access model under the title of the “aims and scope” of the WJO at http://www.wjgnet.com/2218-6239/navdetail_39.htm.

CONCLUSION

We hope you will appreciate and find the new open-access journal of ophthalmology as very beneficial for all ophthalmology community, as well as for our patients. We also hope you will let us know how it can be improved. We look forward in the future to your fascinating contributions by submitting your valuable scientific work to the WJO. I have great confidence in the dedication and skill of our editorial board. On behalf of the entire editorial board, I would like to welcome you to this exciting new journal.