Exploring the Research Landscape of High Myopia: Trends, Contributors, and Key Areas of Focus

Abstract

BACKGROUND Myopia results when light rays focus before reaching the retina, causing blurred vision. High myopia (HM), defined by a refractive error of ≤-6 diopters (D) or an axial length of ≥26 mm, is an extreme form of this condition. The progression from HM to pathological myopia (PM) is marked by extensive ocular axis elongation. The rise in myopia has escalated concerns for HM due to its potential progression to pathological myopia. The covert progression of HM calls for thorough analysis of its current research landscape. MATERIAL AND METHODS HM-related publications from 2003-2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Using VOSviewer and Citespace software, we conducted a bibliometric and visualized analysis to create document co-citation network maps. These maps detailed authors, institutions, countries, key terms, and significant literature. RESULTS From 9,079 articles, 8,241 were reviewed. An increasing trend in publications was observed, with Kyoko Ohno-Matsui identified as a top contributor. The Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery was the primary publication outlet. Chinese researchers and institutions were notably active. The document citation network identified five focal areas: refractive surgery, clinical manifestations/treatment, prevention/control, genetics, and open angle glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS Research emphasis in HM has shifted from refractive surgery for visual acuity enhancement to the diagnosis, classification, prevention, and control of HM complications. Proposals for early myopia intervention to prevent HM are gaining attention. Genetics and HM's link with open angle glaucoma, though smaller in focus, significantly enhance our understanding of HM.

Figure 1

(A) The annual number of published HM studies, 2003–2022. (B) The annual number of published ophthalmic studies, 2003–2022. Produced by Office (version 2021, Redmond, USA).

Figure 2

Cooperation map of authors of studies on HM. The bubble’s size corresponds to a researcher’s influence. A denser connecting line between the bubbles indicates more collaboration between the authors. Scholars sharing the same color focus on similar research themes. Threshold: A minimum of 25 documents/citations per author and a clustering resolution of 0.3. Produced using VOSviewer (version 1.6.19, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands).

Figure 3

Cooperation map of institutions in the studies of HM. The bubble’s sizes are indicative of the institution’s influence. A more pronounced line connecting the bubbles signifies intensified collaboration between the institutions. Threshold: A minimum of 50 documents/citations per institution and a clustering resolution of 0.1. Produced using VOSviewer (version 1.6.19, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands).

Figure 4

Cooperation map of countries in the studies of HM. The size of the bubble correlates with the country’s influence. A more robust connecting line between the bubbles denotes deeper collaboration between the countries. Threshold: A minimum of 50 documents/citations per country and a clustering resolution of 0.6. Produced using VOSviewer (version 1.6.19, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands).

Figure 5

(A, C) The co-occurrence network and the clusters of keywords on HM. Keywords sharing a common color are part of the same cluster. A denser line between keywords suggests a higher probability of their concurrent appearance in a single article. In Figure 5C, keywords in yellow indicate proximity to the article’s publication year, whereas those that are purple have greater temporal distance from it. Threshold: A minimum of 25 occurrences for a keyword and a clustering resolution of 1.3. (B, D) Co-cited reference timeline map of publications on HM. In Figure 5B, the color gradient from purple to yellow signifies the average year of keyword occurrence, transitioning from distant to recent. In Figure 5D, keywords in yellow are nearer to the article’s publication year, while those in purple suggest a greater temporal distance from it. (A, B) Produced using CiteSpace (version 6.2.R2, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA), (C, D) produced using VOSviewer (version 1.6.19, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands).

Figure 6

The top keywords with the strongest citation bursts. The red line within the blue line demarcates the time span during which the keyword had its peak research focus over the past 2 decades. Produced using CiteSpace (version 6.2.R2, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA).

Figure 7

The network of co-cited references. The bubble’s magnitude reflects the article’s influence. A denser line interconnecting the bubbles signifies a stronger interrelation between the articles. Works sharing a common color have similar research themes. Parameters set include: A minimum of 25 citations for a referenced article and a clustering resolution of 1.3. Produced using VOSviewer (version 1.6.19, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands).

Figure 8

The top references with the strongest citation bursts. The red line within the blue line indicates the timeframe over the last 2 decades during which this reference received its highest citation frequency. Produced using CiteSpace (version 6.2.R2, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA).