Global Trends and Emerging Themes in Tele-Ophthalmology Research: A Bibliometric Analysis (1993 to 2024)

Tele-ophthalmology is transforming eye care delivery, particularly in remote and underserved areas, where specialist shortages and geographic barriers prevent millions from receiving timely diagnosis and treatment for preventable blindness. Tele-ophthalmology has emerged as a critical solution to bridge these care gaps, with applications ranging from remote screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Despite rapid technological advances and growing implementation, the research landscape lacks literature providing an overview of global trends, collaborative patterns, and emerging innovations in this field, hindering strategic research planning and evidence-based policy development for expanding digital eye care services. This study aims to analyse global trends and emerging themes in tele-ophthalmology research to fill this knowledge void and provide strategic insights for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers.

A comprehensive online literature search was conducted using the Scopus database, retrieving English-language publications related to tele-ophthalmology up to 31st December 2024. Data were extracted and analysed using Biblioshiny in R Studio and VOSviewer. The study assessed annual publication trends, top journals' contributions, authors' contributions, authors' collaboration, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic evolution.

A total of 5,498 publications were identified, with an annual growth rate of 9.55%, and nearly 800 articles published in 2023 alone. The United States led in publication output and international collaborations. Dr. Michael F. Chiang published the highest number of articles, with the highest total link strength (174), followed by Dr. R.V. Paul Chan and Dr. J. Peter Campbell (122). Telemedicine and E-Health was the leading journal, followed by the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare and the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. Common keywords included "telemedicine," "diabetic retinopathy," "artificial intelligence," and "COVID-19," reflecting major research themes. Thematic analysis showed a shift toward AI integration and digital health solutions in ophthalmology.

The field of teleophthalmology has experienced significant and rapid growth in research activity. Recent trends indicate growing integration of artificial intelligence and digital health tools. This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive overview that can inform future research and policy efforts to enhance digital eye care delivery.