[Scientific performance of ophthalmological research institutions in Germany 2018-2020 : Studies, publications, third-party funding and more-The research map of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG)].

BACKGROUND

The German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) regularly records the scientific activities of ophthalmological research institutions in Germany.

OBJECTIVE

With this publication the DOG wants to make the performance of scientific ophthalmology in Germany transparent and increase the options for future research cooperation with facilities of research institutions.

METHODS

Systematic survey of German research centers in ophthalmology.

RESULTS

The current research map records the data from 41 German research centers for the reporting period 2018-2020. Compared to previous editions of the research map, there has been a significant increase in scientific activity. The number of studies reported rose to 496. The number of government funded research projects (n = 121) and projects funded by foundations (n = 108) also increased. Furthermore, the number of scientific publications has almost doubled: while 1919 were published in the period from 2012 to 2014 and 2305 in the period from 2015 to 2017, there were 4215 in the current reporting period. The map also reports on a continuous increase in the number of young scientists in ophthalmology.

CONCLUSION

The research map demonstrates the performance of German scientific ophthalmology. At the same time, the need for research in ophthalmology remains high because many diseases that affect the eyes are not yet or not yet completely curable.