Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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Journal of Refractive Surgery is a journal focused on refractive surgery and ophthalmology. The journal lists J. Bradley Randleman, MD as Editor-in-Chief and reports a 2024 Impact Factor of 3.0.
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Subject
Ophthalmology, Surgery
Impact Factor
3
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Closed
ISSN
1081-597X
eISSN
1938-2391
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
Institutional subscription and backfile purchase pricing are available in the 2026 rates booklet.
Submission Instructions
Journal of Refractive Surgery accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Research Articles
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must include the headings Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 3000 words, excluding the title page, abstract, references, and figure captions. Manuscript must be organized as Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Patients/Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References, Figure captions, and Tables and/or Figures. Any use of AI technologies beyond allowable unacknowledged uses must be disclosed at the end of the manuscript after the references, including the use or content created, the tool name, version and extension numbers, manufacturer, and dates of use.
References
References must follow AMA Manual of Style, 11th edition. References must be cited consecutively in the text with superscript numbers and listed in numerical order rather than alphabetically.
Figures & Tables
Figure captions must be provided in the manuscript following the references, and image files must be uploaded separately from the manuscript files. Tables must be numbered with concise descriptive titles and labeled rows and columns, and figures must be numbered and cited consecutively with brief captions that allow the figure to be understood.
Biomechanics
Cover Letter
If identifiable patient consent applies, the cover letter must note that written consent was obtained.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must include the headings Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 3000 words, excluding the title page, abstract, references, and figure captions. Manuscript should be organized as Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Patients/Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References, Figure captions, and Tables and/or Figures. Any use of AI technologies beyond allowable unacknowledged uses must be disclosed at the end of the manuscript after the References section with the tool details and dates of use.
References
References must follow AMA Manual of Style, 11th edition. References must be cited consecutively in the text with superscript numbers and listed in numerical order, with journal titles abbreviated according to PubMed/MEDLINE or given in full if not indexed there.
Figures & Tables
Figure image files must be uploaded separately from the manuscript, while headings and captions should be provided in the manuscript after the references. Tables must be numbered with descriptive titles and labeled rows and columns, and figures must be numbered and cited consecutively with brief captions.
Reviews
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract is required and must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must include the headings Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 4000 words, excluding the title page, abstract, references, and figure captions. Manuscript should be organized as Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Patients/Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References, Figure captions, and Tables and/or Figures. Any use of AI technologies must be disclosed at the end of the manuscript following the References section with the use described and the tool name, version, manufacturer, and dates of use.
References
References should follow AMA Manual of Style, 11th edition. References must be cited consecutively in the text with superscript numbers and listed in numerical order, with journal titles abbreviated according to PubMed/MEDLINE when applicable.
Figures & Tables
Figure captions should appear in the manuscript following the references, and image files must be uploaded separately from the manuscript files. Tables must be numbered with descriptive titles and labeled rows and columns, and figures must be numbered and cited consecutively in the text with brief captions.
Therapeutic Refractive Surgery
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must include the headings Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 3000 words, excluding the title page, abstract, references, and figure captions. Manuscript should be organized as Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Patients/Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References, Figure captions, and Tables and/or Figures. Manuscripts using AI technologies beyond allowable unacknowledged uses must include an AI disclosure at the end of the manuscript following the references.
References
References must follow AMA Manual of Style, 11th edition. References must be cited consecutively in the text with superscript numbers and listed in numerical order.
Figures & Tables
Image files must be uploaded separately from the manuscript files, and figure captions should be provided in the manuscript following the references. Therapeutic refractive surgery clinical series must include standard outcome graphs and an attempted-versus-achieved spherical equivalent refraction scatter plot with linear regression analysis including the regression equation, trend line, and r2.
Translational Science
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must include the headings Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 3000 words, excluding the title page, abstract, references, and figure captions. Manuscript should be organized as Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Patients/Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References, Figure captions, and Tables and/or Figures. Any use of AI technologies beyond allowable unacknowledged uses must be disclosed at the end of the manuscript following the References section.
References
References must follow AMA Manual of Style, 11th edition. References must be cited consecutively in the text with superscript numbers and listed in numerical order.
Figures & Tables
Image files must be uploaded separately from the manuscript files, and figure captions must be provided in the manuscript following the references. Each table must be numbered with a concise descriptive title, and each figure must be numbered and cited consecutively in the text.
Reports
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 150 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must include the headings Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 1000 words excluding the title page, abstract, references, and figure captions. Manuscript should be organized as Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Case Report or Surgical Technique, Results, Discussion, References, Figure captions, and Tables and/or Figures. Any use of AI technologies beyond allowable unacknowledged uses must be declared at the end of the manuscript after the References section.
References
References must follow AMA style, 11th edition. References must be cited consecutively in the text with superscript numbers and listed in numerical order rather than alphabetically.
Figures & Tables
Image files must be uploaded separately from the manuscript files, and figure captions should be provided in the manuscript following the references. Each table must be numbered with a concise descriptive title, and each figure must be numbered and cited consecutively in the text.
Letters To The Editor
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Letters to the Editor must not exceed 500 words. Letters must include an AI disclosure if artificial intelligence, large-language models, or similar technologies were used in writing, in accordance with the journal’s AI policy.
References
Letters may include no more than 5 references. References must follow AMA style. References must be cited consecutively in the text with superscript numbers and listed in numerical order rather than alphabetically.
Figures & Tables
Letters may include no more than 1 figure. Image files must be uploaded separately from the manuscript files.
Recent Publications
Baseline Demographics and Topographic Features in Keratoconic Eyes With Hydrops After Ipsilateral Prior Corneal Cross-linking
Priyanka Sudanaboina, Sikha Misra, Md Hasnat Ali, Merle Fernandes, Sunita Chaurasia
10.3928/1081597x-20260406-02
View Publication
Effects of Nd:YAG Capsulotomy on the IC-8 Lens
Christopher Tay, Jodhbir S. Mehta
10.3928/1081597x-20260402-01
View Publication
A Modified Capsular Hook Implantation Technique for IOL–Capsular Bag Complex Subluxation: Clinical Outcomes From a Comparative Study
Ling Wei, Ruijue Peng, Xianyu Zhang, Rui Feng, Chao Qu
10.3928/1081597x-20260421-01
View Publication
Comparative Evaluation of Selective Laser Capsulotomy and Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Capsulotomy in White Cataract
Manpreet Kaur, Jeewan S. Titiyal, Vaibhav Namdev, Jyoti Rawat, Manvi Bansal
10.3928/1081597x-20260408-03
View Publication
A Toric Plate-Haptic Intraocular Lens Suitable for Flanged Scleral Fixation
Avner Belkin, Gal Harel, Adi Zaslavsky, Ehud I. Assia
10.3928/1081597x-20260413-02
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
Average time from submission to decision is 59 days. Average time from acceptance to publication is 52 days. Author proofs typically require a 2-day turnaround.
Reformat to Journal of Refractive Surgery using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
A cover letter is used for contributor award consideration. Authors seeking consideration for the Troutman Prize or Waring Medal should state this in the cover letter at manuscript submission, and Troutman Prize eligibility details should be included.
Reformat to Journal of Refractive Surgery using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
Institutional subscription and backfile purchase pricing are available in the 2026 rates booklet.
Reformat to Journal of Refractive Surgery using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Corneal surgery and disorders
Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies
Corneal Surgery and Treatments
Intraocular Surgery and Lenses
Glaucoma and retinal disorders
Ocular Surface and Contact Lens
Retinal and Macular Surgery
Ocular Infections and Treatments
Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
Ocular Disorders and Treatments
Ocular and Laser Science Research
Traumatic Ocular and Foreign Body Injuries
Diverse Scientific and Economic Studies
Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine
Optical Coherence Tomography Applications
Connexins and lens biology
Advanced optical system design
Laser Design and Applications
Human auditory perception and evaluation
Medical and Biological Sciences
Visual perception and processing mechanisms
Optical measurement and interference techniques
Connective tissue disorders research
Dermatologic Treatments and Research
Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques