Optometry research. Part 1: Funding sources.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Optometry Research
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The National Eye Institute (NEI) is the primary funder of ophthalmic and optometry research in the U.S.
• Optometry research constitutes a small fraction of overall ophthalmic research funding and output.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the distribution of NEI funding within U.S. optometry schools and colleges.
• To examine the production of published research from optometry institutions and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Optometry Service.
• To provide recommendations for optimizing optometry's research endeavors.

Main Methods:

• Review of NEI funding allocations to optometry schools.
• Analysis of published research output from optometry institutions and the VA Optometry Service.
• Bibliometric analysis of publications in optometry-related journals.

Main Results:

• U.S. optometry schools receive approximately 3% of total NEI funding.
• Optometry research accounts for about 3% of all published ophthalmic research.
• Four optometry schools and the VA Optometry Service are the primary contributors to published optometry research.

Conclusions:

• Optometry's research base is relatively small and requires strategic management.
• Future research efforts should prioritize clinical trials and primary eye care relevance.
• A shift from basic biologic/physiologic research towards applied clinical research is suggested for optometry.