Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to perform a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research on ocular tumor metabolomics, identifying key research trends, influential contributors, and emerging themes from 1995 to 2024. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database to retrieve publications related to ocular tumor metabolomics from 1 January 1995, to 12 December 2024. Bibliometric analyses, including publication trends, citation networks, and keyword co-occurrence patterns, were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Collaborative networks, co-cited references, and keyword burst analyses were mapped to uncover shifts in research focus and global cooperation. RESULTS: Both annual publication volume and citation frequency have shown a wave-like increase since 2000. Initially, research activity was limited during the early period (2000-2006), followed by a phase of slow growth between 2007 and 2015. A surge in publications occurred after 2016, peaking in 2022 with 81 articles. Despite the increase in publications, citation frequency declined after 2019, indicating a gap between research output and scholarly impact. The United States, China, and Italy were the top contributing countries, with the U.S. maintaining a leadership role. Keyword analysis revealed key research themes, including biomarkers, uveal melanoma, and immunotherapy, with a shift towards gene expression, tumor metastasis, and liquid biopsy in recent years. Keyword burst analysis identified retinoblastoma protein and gene expression as major research hotspots. CONCLUSION: Ocular tumor metabolomics research has made significant strides in recent years. This analysis provides a comprehensive framework for future research, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaborations and the development of non-invasive diagnostic tools to improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of ocular tumors.