Sebastian Siebelmann

The number of ophthalmologic journals is now well over 100. In the last few years, one new journal has joined another, and by now all anatomical and functional structures of the eye, as well as all subspecialties of ophthalmologic existence are covered by high or less high-quality journals. In particular, more and more journals have been founded in recent years, where the review process has been criticised for not being transparent or even rumoured to publish in proportion to the publication fee paid. This leads to more and more uncertainty on the part of the publishing scientists about which journals they should publish in, and on the part of the science readers there is more and more uncertainty about which studies have been conducted and reviewed seriously. One could sometimes think that “fake news” has also found its way into ophthalmology.

EuCornea, as an independent European Society of Cornea and Ocular Surface Specialists, has therefore decided to establish a journal, using the technological, digital possibilities - on the highest scientific standard.

Online-only, open-access only, rapid and high-quality peer review-only.

All papers published in-house with us are therefore freely accessible online and downloadable free of charge. In addition, our published articles and associated content (e.g. images, figures) are subject to the Creative Commons licence. They can be used free of charge if the reference is given correctly. This increases the reach and the number of citations.

In addition, EuCornea and the Journal of EuCornea is pursuing other innovative paths. With Nuno Moura-Coelho and myself, two “not young- but younger” ophthalmologists are now at the helm of the publication organ of a large European professional society. The richness of Europe, especially for us “European-Natives” is its diversity. Diversity not only in food, culture, landscapes and beaches, but especially in research, medicine and technology, which is why ophthalmology worldwide is European influenced and shaped. The Journal of EuCornea aims to promote a diversified European science and scientists in the future to advance our knowledge of the cornea and improve medical care for people with corneal diseases.

Nuno Moura-Coelho

It is essential that the excellency promoted by the EuCornea Society is coupled with a high-quality journal of its own. The Journal of EuCornea has met important advances in recent years, and the Journal and the Society have sought to be permanently updating and innovating. The EuCornea Society was founded with the purposes of promoting exchange of the highest level of scientific knowledge and practical skills among corneal specialists in Europe, and to encourage and support scientific research in the fields of cornea and ocular surface disease. In addition, EuCornea has promoted the innovation and the relevance of younger ophthalmologists dedicated to corneal and ocular surface diseases in Europe since its inception. The 13th edition of the EuCornea Congress, which will be held in Athens in June 2022, will once again be a testament to these premises, much like the previous yearly editions of the Congress.

As the new Co-Editors-in-Chief, Sebastian Siebelmann and I are putting forward important changes in the Journal, including a renewed Editorial Board in line with our vision for the Journal of EuCornea. The mission for the new Editorial Board of the Journal of EuCornea will be to ensure a consistent, growing number of manuscript submissions and publications which mirror the EuCornea Society’s purposes. The ultimate goal will be to obtain indexation in Scopus and Embase databases in order to obtain an impact factor for the Journal. This is a relatively long process which will involve the active involvement of the Editorial Board as well as the involvement of corneal specialists across Europe. As Sebastian mentioned, the Journal will have an online-only format, and will be an open-access journal with accessible publication fees. We will accept original articles, review articles (both narrative and systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses), techniques, short communications/flash look articles and case reports, perspective articles, clinical images, and letters to the editor.

Peer-reviewed publications are the basis for producing high-quality medical and scientific knowledge, and thus all papers will undergo a thorough review process before acceptance for publication.

The Journal of EuCornea is the face of EuCornea Society and its members. Aiming for a high standard for the Journal will improve the prestige of the Society among the scientific community in general and particularly among corneal specialists across Europe.