Demographic correlations for ۱۰۰ most-cited authors in ophthalmic research; a bibliometric study

Abstract Background: To analyze the academic characteristics, career trajectory, scholarly publications, and demographic background of the ۱۰۰ most-cited authors in ophthalmic literature. Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, a database containing every ophthalmology journal article from ۱۹۶۷ to ۲۰۱۸ was built using Scopus journal article information. The ۱۰۰ authors with the most citations were identified, along with a control group of authors with at least five publications. Information about each author, such as gender, institution, and educational degrees were found from online web searches. Intra- and inter-group analyses were performed to identify correlations that may lead to having a high level of impact in ophthalmology literature. Results: Of the ۱۰۰ most-cited ophthalmologists, ۵۶ practice in the United States (US) and only ۱۲ are female. In an odds ratio (OR) analysis, highly-cited researchers more often lived in the US (OR, ۲.۹۷; P < ۰.۰۰۱), were male (OR, ۲.۴; P = ۰.۰۲), and graduated from an elite medical school (OR, ۳.۸۹; P = ۰.۰۲) and/or residency (OR, ۳.۶۷; P = ۰.۰۲), but were not from an undergraduate institution (P = ۰.۷۵). There was no difference in citation numbers between different ophthalmology subspecialties (P = ۰.۲۲) or advanced degrees (PhD, MPH in addition to MD). Women among the top-۱۰۰-cited authors were more likely to author high impact journal articles (P < ۰.۰۵). Conclusions: Among highly-cited ophthalmologists, practicing in the US and attending a top medical school or residency program may provide training for a successful research career in ophthalmology. Additionally, top female ophthalmologists participate in more influential research.