Evolution and trends of childhood cataract research in the past 10 years: A scientometric analysis

To present a panoramic review of childhood cataract knowledge networks, hotspots and trends.

The Web of Science Core Collection was used to retrieve the global literature on childhood cataract published between 2012 and 2021. Scientometric data were analyzed and visualized using VOSviewer and CiteSpace for metrics including publication count, citation count, country, journal, author, cited reference, subject category and their temporal trends.

A total of 3395 analyzed publications showed an inconsistent annual increasing trend. The USA (n = 939) was the leading contributor among countries. The Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (n = 113) had the highest number of publications among journals. Eight clusters of author collaboration network including 183 authors were identified. Gene mutation, cataract surgery management, intraocular lens implantation complications, prevalence, and glaucoma were identified as the research hotspots. Pediatric cataract surgery, new mutations, artificial intelligence, and cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis were identified as frontier research topics. "Biochemistry and molecular biology", "neurosciences", and "radiology, nuclear medicine and medical imaging" had the highest betweenness centrality values (0.38, 0.32, and 0.22). Multidisciplinary (burst years: 2020 to 2021; strength = 4.32) had the greatest strength as of 2021.

Childhood cataract research intensely focuses on revealing the genetic background and pheno-spectrum of the diseases, innovating and/or optimizing surgical techniques, and preventing and treating postoperative complications. Artificial intelligence has shed light on the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cataracts. The advance in the research on molecular mechanisms of childhood cataracts depends on multidisciplinary cooperation.