Knowledge mapping of posterior capsular opacification from 2011 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Bibliometrics
• Biomedical Research

Background:

• Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) remains a significant concern after cataract surgery.
• Understanding global research trends is crucial for advancing PCO prevention and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of global research on posterior capsular opacification (PCO) from 2011 to 2023.
• To identify research productivity, collaborations, and emerging hotspots in the field.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 988 PCO-related documents from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC).
• Visualization of countries, institutions, authors, and research hotspots using VOSviewer and CiteSpace.
• Analysis of publication trends, citations, and keyword clusters.

Main Results:

• China is the most productive country, with Wenzhou Medical University and Quankui Lin as leading institutions and authors, respectively.
• The Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery published the most articles.
• Top cited references focus on intraocular lens (IOL) design, surgical techniques, and PCO mechanisms.
• Key research clusters include PCO prevalence, mechanisms, IOL materials/design for prevention, and Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy complications.

Conclusions:

• Global research on PCO is dynamic, with significant contributions from China.
• Intraocular lens technology and understanding PCO pathogenesis are central research themes.
• Further research insights can be gained by analyzing current research hotspots and trends.