Op

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, publishes clinical research and other relevant manuscripts related to the sense of sight and emphasizes unbiased peer review, innovation, discovery, and lifelong learning.

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Subject Ophthalmology
Impact Factor 9.5
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Hybrid
ISSN 0161-6420
eISSN 1549-4713
Invitation Only No
Cost Range USD 5590 APC for open access articles; no open access publication fee for subscription publication.

Submission Instructions

Ophthalmology accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Manuscripts

Cover Letter Cover letter is required for all new submissions. Cover letter must justify deletion of any required abstract section if one is omitted.
Abstract A structured abstract is required and must be submitted on a separate page in the manuscript file. Abstract must not exceed 350 words. Abstract must be structured in seven labeled sections. Abstract must include Objective or Purpose, Design, Subjects, Participants, and/or Controls, Methods, Intervention, or Testing, Main Outcome Measures, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript Manuscript file must include a full title page, a structured abstract, the main text, and the references, with the discussion as the final section and no conclusion section in the main text. Manuscript must include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page, a précis of 35 words or fewer submitted as a separate file and not included in the manuscript file, and an AI-use declaration at the end of the core manuscript before the references if generative AI or AI-assisted writing tools were used.
References Manuscript must contain no more than 50 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in the order of appearance, and every listed reference must be cited in the text.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript file and must be submitted as separate files. Print figure legends must be submitted in a single Word document, print tables must be submitted as Word files, and online-only figures, tables, and appendices must be submitted as separate PDF files.
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Systematic Review

Cover Letter Cover letter is required for new submissions. Cover letter must state whether reporting guidelines were followed and which guidelines were used, and whether the exact full search strategies are presented in an appendix.
Abstract Abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 350 words. Abstract must be structured in five sections. Abstract headings must be Topic, Clinical relevance, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript Submission length is limited to 20-25 formatted pages, corresponding to about 65-80 double-spaced pages in MS Word depending on font size and number of figures and tables. Text must be divided into Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion, with Methods including Protocol, Eligibility criteria, Outcome measures, Search methods, Study selection, Data extraction and management, Risk of bias assessment, Data synthesis and analysis, and Certainty of the body of evidence and summary of findings tables, and Results including Characteristics of included studies, Risk of bias assessment, and Outcomes. Manuscript must include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page, a 35-word-or-less précis submitted as a separate .doc or .docx file, the protocol registration number in both the abstract and main text, and a Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process before the references if such tools were used.
References Manuscript must contain no more than 50 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in order of appearance.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript and must be submitted as separate files. Print figure legends must be submitted in a single Word document, tables for print publication must be built in Microsoft Word and submitted as .doc or .docx files, and online-only figures and tables must be uploaded as PDF files.
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Meta-Analysis

Cover Letter Cover letters are required for all new submissions. Cover letter must confirm that the work is approved by all authors and responsible authorities.
Abstract A structured abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 350 words. Abstract must be structured into five sections. Abstract headings must be Topic, Clinical relevance, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript Submission length is limited to 20-25 formatted pages, corresponding to about 65-80 double-spaced pages in MS Word depending on font size and number of figures and tables. Text must be divided into Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion, with specified subheadings in the Methods and Results sections. Manuscript must include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page, a précis of 35 words or less, the protocol registration number in both the abstract and main text, and any generative AI use disclosure in a section titled 'Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process' before the references.
References Manuscript must contain no more than 50 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in order of appearance.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript file and must be submitted as separate files. Figure legends must be submitted separately, and print tables must be built in Microsoft Word and submitted as .doc or .docx files while online-only figures and tables must be submitted as PDF files.
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Translational Science Reviews

Cover Letter Cover letter is required for all new submissions. Cover letter must confirm that the work has not been published previously or submitted elsewhere, has been approved by all authors and responsible authorities, and will not be published elsewhere in the same form without written consent of the copyright holder.
Abstract Abstract is required. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript Manuscript must include a title page, 3 to 5 keywords, a 35-word-or-less précis, references, and an AI-use declaration section before the references if generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in writing.
References Manuscript must contain no more than 50 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in order of appearance.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript and must be submitted as separate files. Figure legends must be submitted separately, while tables must be built in Microsoft Word and submitted as individual .doc or .docx files or in a single Word file for print publication.
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Clinical Trial

Cover Letter Cover letter is required for all new submissions. Cover letter must confirm that the work is approved by all authors and responsible authorities.
Abstract A structured abstract is required. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript Manuscript must include a title page, structured abstract, text, references, and a final Discussion section without a separate Conclusion section. Manuscript must include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page, a 35-word-or-less précis, and an AI-use declaration placed before the references if generative AI or AI-assisted writing tools were used.
References Manuscript must contain no more than 50 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in order of appearance.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript file and must be submitted as separate files. Figures must be numbered consecutively with legends submitted separately, and tables must be titled and numbered consecutively with legends included in the table file.
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Review

Cover Letter Cover letters are required for all new submissions. Cover letter must confirm that the work is approved by all authors and responsible authorities.
Abstract An abstract is required. The abstract must be structured.
Manuscript Include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page, a précis of 35 words or less, and, if generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in writing, a 'Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process' section before the references.
References The manuscript must contain no more than 50 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in the order of appearance.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript file and must be submitted as separate files. Print tables must be built in Microsoft Word and submitted as .doc or .docx files, while figure legends must be submitted in a single Word document file.
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Retrospective Study

Cover Letter Cover letters are required for all new submissions. Cover letter must confirm that the work is approved by all authors and responsible authorities.
Abstract An abstract is required. The abstract must be structured.
Manuscript Manuscript must include a title page, structured abstract, text, references, and a discussion as the final section without a separate conclusion section. Manuscript must include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page, a 35-word-or-less précis, and an AI declaration section before the references if generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in writing.
References The manuscript must contain no more than 50 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in the order of appearance.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript file and must be submitted as separate files. Figure legends must be submitted separately, and tables must be built in Microsoft Word with legends included in the table file.
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AAO Meeting Paper

Cover Letter Cover letter is required for new submissions. The cover letter must justify deletion of any required abstract section.
Abstract A structured abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 350 words. Abstract must be structured and submitted on a separate page in the manuscript file. Abstract must include Objective or Purpose, Design, Subjects, Participants, and/or Controls, Methods, Intervention, or Testing, Main Outcome Measures, Results, and Conclusions.
Manuscript Manuscript must note on the cover page that the submission is derived from an Annual Meeting paper or poster. Manuscript must include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page, a précis of 35 words or less, and a Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process before the references if such tools were used.
References Manuscript must contain no more than 50 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in the order of appearance.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript file and must be submitted as separate files. Print figure legends must be submitted in a single Word document, and tables for print publication must be built in Microsoft Word and submitted as .doc or .docx files.
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Correspondence

Cover Letter Cover letters are required for new submissions.
Abstract Abstract is required. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript Correspondence is limited to 700 words. Correspondence must comment on an article published in the journal within 6 months of its online posting, address no more than three points, use the title format 'Re: [last name of first author of published article] et al.: [title of the published article],' begin with 'To the Editor,' reference the discussed article in the first paragraph, and end with each author's name, degree, and location. Include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page, a précis of 35 words or less, and if generative AI or AI-assisted writing tools were used, add a 'Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process' section before the references.
References Correspondence may include no more than 5 references, including the article being discussed. References must be in AMA style. The article being commented on must be the first listed reference and cited in the first paragraph.
Figures & Tables Figures, tables, or graphs are typically not included. Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript file and must be submitted as separate files.
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Report-Invited

Cover Letter Cover letter is required. Cover letter must include the manuscript number of the original submission and a point-by-point response to the original reviewers' questions and suggestions.
Abstract An abstract is required for editors' and reviewers' view only and will not be published with the report. Abstract must be 35 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 1000 words. Submission must be double-spaced. Include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page, a précis of 35 words or less, an AI declaration section before the references if generative AI or AI-assisted writing tools were used, and reserve the acknowledgment section for grants and funding only.
References Reports may include no more than 7 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in the order of appearance.
Figures & Tables Reports may include one figure, graph, chart, or concise table in print and up to three additional items as online supplemental material. Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript and must be submitted as separate files. Insert '(available at www.aaojournal.org)' at relevant points in the manuscript for online supplemental material.
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Report-Unsolicited

Cover Letter Cover letters are required for all new submissions. Cover letter must confirm that the work has not been published previously or submitted elsewhere and that all authors and responsible authorities have approved it.
Abstract A 35-word unstructured abstract is required for editors’ and reviewers’ view only and will not be published with the report. Abstract must not exceed 35 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript Report must not exceed 1000 words. Manuscript must be double-spaced, include 3 to 5 keywords on the title page and a 35-word précis in a separate file, reserve the acknowledgment section for grants and funding only, and include an AI-use declaration section before the references if generative AI was used in writing.
References Report may include no more than 7 references. References must be in AMA style. References must be cited in the text using consecutive superscript Arabic numerals in order of appearance.
Figures & Tables Report may include one figure, graph, chart, or concise table in print and up to three additional items as online supplemental material. Figures and tables must not be embedded in the manuscript and must be submitted as separate files. Insert '(available at www.aaojournal.org)' at relevant points in the manuscript for online supplemental material.
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Recent Publications

Intravitreal Bevacizumab Improves Trabeculectomy Survival at 3 Years: Long-term Follow-up from The ‘Bevacizumab in Trabeculectomy Study’

John. Landers, Sean. Mullany, Mark.M. Hassall, Jamie.E. Craig

10.1016/j.ophtha.2026.05.006
View Publication

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and the Risk of Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Consensus Statement by the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Sarah W. DeParis, Isdin Oke, Eric D. Gaier, Heather E. Moss, Peter W. MacIntosh, Aubrey L. Gilbert, Marc J. Dinkin, John J. Chen

10.1016/j.ophtha.2026.04.008
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Ophthalmology Retina

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10.1016/j.ophtha.2026.04.024
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This Issue at a Glance

Sandeep Ravindran

10.1016/j.ophtha.2026.04.030
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NSAID use and the risk of AMD: Insights From a Multi-Center Cohort Analysis

Alan Y. Hsu, Hou-Ting Kuo, De-Yi Liu, Ning-Yi Hsia, Chun-Ting Lai, Chun-Chi Chiang, Chun-Ju Lin, Yi-Ching Shao, Huan-Sheng Chen, Bing-Qi Wu, Hsin Tseng, Ho-Che Hsu, Yu-Hsun Wang, Henry Bair, Yi-Yu Tsai, Min-Yen Hsu, James Cheng-Chung Wei

10.1016/j.ophtha.2026.04.027
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to publish?

4 days from submission to first decision; 34 days from submission to decision after review; 37 days from submission to acceptance; 7 days from acceptance to online publication.

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Is a cover letter required?

Cover letters are required for all new submissions. The cover letter should note prior submission to this or another journal, include manuscript numbers when applicable, and provide any additional information for the editorial board or editorial office.

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What are the publication costs?

Open access APC: USD 5590 excluding taxes for all articles. Subscription publication has no open access publication fee.

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Research Topics

Glaucoma and retinal disorders Retinal Diseases and Treatments Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies Corneal surgery and disorders Intraocular Surgery and Lenses Retinal and Macular Surgery Ocular Diseases and Behçet’s Syndrome Corneal Surgery and Treatments Ocular Surface and Contact Lens Ocular Infections and Treatments Ocular Oncology and Treatments Retinal and Optic Conditions Retinal Imaging and Analysis Ophthalmology and Eye Disorders Ocular Disorders and Treatments Retinal Development and Disorders Retinopathy of Prematurity Studies Traumatic Ocular and Foreign Body Injuries Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Diverse Scientific and Economic Studies Human auditory perception and evaluation Educational Robotics and Engineering Ophthalmology and Visual Health Research Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Treatments Facial Rejuvenation and Surgery Techniques