From Genesis to an Interstellar Leap: The Journey from Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) to Scopus Indexing and Beyond

‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit’. — Aristotle Some milestones arrive quietly; others announce themselves with a sense of celebration. Yet each one is built upon years of dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment. The recent indexing of the TNOA Journal of Ophthalmic Science and Research (TJOSR) in ‘Scopus’ marks a proud and defining moment in the journey of the journal and the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association. Heartiest congratulations to the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Prasanna Venkatesh Ramesh, and the current Editorial Board on this significant achievement-a testament to their vision, leadership, and sustained academic effort.THE ENDURING RELEVANCE OF SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS There was a time when our teachers treasured the classic volumes of the ‘System of Ophthalmology’ by ‘Sir Stewart Duke - Elder’ and other authoritative texts. Today, we live in a fast paced, multitasking world where knowledge is expected instantly and on the go. Yet, even in this digital era, the value of credible journals remains undiminished. Alongside leading international publications and the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, TJOSR is steadily finding its rightful place, reflecting regional scholarship that is rising to meet global standards. Medical journals are not merely sources of evidence; they are living archives of collective wisdom. A well written article goes beyond presenting data; it translates research into meaningful clinical insight. Well researched, evidence based papers, especially those supported by clear guidelines and practical algorithms, serve as ready reckoners for students, residents, and practicing clinicians. PHASE 1: LEGACY OF GROWTH AND EDITORIAL EVOLUTION - SOURCE CODE Since going ‘Online’ in 2015 and achieving indexing in foundational databases in the same year, TJOSR has steadily evolved-each phase reflecting growth, resilience, and a sustained commitment to academic quality. Over the years, successive editorial teams have contributed significantly to the journal’s development. A major milestone, namely the transition to an online platform and the formal naming of TJOSR, was achieved under the leadership of Dr. Nirmal Fredrick.[1] His vision, structured protocols, and systematic approach laid a strong foundation for future progress. His association with Wolters Kluwer further facilitated the move toward professional publishing standards and wider visibility. Immense credit is also due to the Editorial Board of 2015–2018, particularly the Associate Editors, Dr. Murali Ariga and Dr. Rachula Daniel, whose experience, commitment, and academic rigor strengthened the journal’s quality and credibility. During this period, the journal achieved indexing in foundational databases such as Baidu Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), EBSCO Publishing’s Electronic Databases, Ex Libris - Primo Central, Google Scholar, Hinari, Infotrieve, Netherlands ISSN centre, ProQuest, TDNet, Wanfang Data. For researchers across Tamil Nadu, there was a distinct sense of fulfilment in seeing their work available online and accessible beyond geographical boundaries. For an author, publication is not merely a milestone but a moment of quiet achievement. Seeing one’s work published, indexed, archived, and accessed globally brings a unique and lasting sense of pride. PHASE 2: FROM INCEPTION TO RECOGNITION - THE DOAJ PHASE The editorial team of 2018–2022, led by Dr. Sharmila Devi Vadivelu as Editor-in-Chief, achieved the important milestone of registering the journal with the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI). With a continued focus on quality and growth, the team also secured indexing in the ‘Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)’, bringing the journal closer to wider academic recognition.[2] Inclusion in DOAJ marked a pivotal step, ensuring that publications in TJOSR would be acknowledged for the academic progression of teaching faculty in medical institutions across India, in accordance with prevailing regulatory guidelines. This phase can be seen as the inception, a foundational layer that enabled the journal’s transition into higher indexing platforms [Figure 1].Figure 1: Illustrative timeline depicting the typical progression of an ophthalmic journal toward indexing and global academic recognition, including key milestones such as DOAJ and Scopus, and the pathway toward advanced indexing platformsPHASE 3: CONSOLIDATING THE FOUNDATION: A PHASE OF STEADY PROGRESS The Editorial Board from 2022 to 2025, under the leadership of Dr. Jeyanthan Soundarapandiyan, carried the journal forward with consistency and commitment.[3] During this period, efforts focused on streamlining peer-review timelines, strengthening reviewer engagement, and standardizing editorial processes, leading to improved efficiency and consistent publication quality. This phase marked a transition from expansion to consolidation, establishing the stability required for higher indexing. PHASE 4: THE QUANTUM LEAP: SCOPUS INDEXING AND BEYOND The current Editorial Board of 2025–2028, with Dr. Prasanna Venkatesh Ramesh as Editor-in-Chief, is well positioned to further elevate TJOSR onto a broader global platform.[4–6] Having previously served as Associate Editor and now as Editor-in-Chief, he has contributed to fostering international collaborations, encouraging high quality submissions, and strengthening the journal’s academic and editorial standards. His focused efforts toward aligning the journal with the rigorous indexing standards of Scopus are now reflected in this significant achievement [Figure 2].Figure 2: Scopus title evaluation tracking timeline for the TNOA J Ophthal Sci Res, illustrating key stages from submission (17 December 2025) to final acceptance (28 February 2026)STRENGTH BEHIND THE JOURNAL: THE SHARED COMMITMENT As Bill Gates aptly said, ‘Content is king’. Our sincere appreciation goes to all members of the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association for enriching the journal with meaningful scientific contributions. Equally, we acknowledge our reviewers over the past decade (since 2015), as the true unsung contributors whose invaluable efforts and commitment have upheld high academic standards. Ultimately, the strength of TJOSR lies in the depth, rigor, and relevance of the work it publishes, a matter of collective pride. Consistency and commitment remain the cornerstones of progress. After all, excellence is not an act, but a habit. MOVING FORWARD IN QUALITY AND REACH: RISING TO THE NEXT LEVEL ‘The best way to predict the future is to create it’. — Peter Drucker The current editorial tenure is well-positioned to build upon this momentum, with continued emphasis on quality, consistency, and global visibility, bringing the journal closer to its next milestone of broader international indexing, including Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), with the long-term goal of inclusion in PubMed. Data from the editorial management system are now being actively utilized to guide decision-making, optimize workflow efficiency, and improve reviewer engagement and author experience. A comparative analysis [Table 1] demonstrates a substantial improvement in editorial performance in early 2026, with a 34.5% increase in submission rate, accompanied by marked reductions in processing timelines, particularly a 90.5% reduction in time from submission to reviewer invitation and a 90.9% reduction from review to first decision. Overall, the time from submission to first decision has decreased by 82.3%, reflecting a significantly more efficient peer-review system. These data driven improvements highlight the journal’s ongoing commitment to enhancing publication quality, responsiveness, and author experience.Table 1: Comparison of editorial performance metrics for TJOSR (2025 vs early 2026)FROM A MOMENT OF AWE TO THE NEXT MISSION Amaze. Amaze. Amaze. — Andy Weir (Project Hail Mary) From the bold frontiers of NASA’s Artemis program, progress has always been driven by the courage to explore. As we stand amazed at the Artemis missions and the breathtaking images of the Moon they bring to us, we are reminded that we are living in a timeline defined by discovery, ambition, and possibility. In that very same spirit, achieving Scopus indexing marks a significant milestone in our academic journey of discovery-and affirms that PubMed indexing is well within our reach. Together, as members of the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association, united by a shared purpose and guided by strong, visionary leadership, we possess the collective strength to achieve far more. With sustained commitment and collaboration, PubMed indexing is no longer a distant aspiration, but an attainable milestone in the near future. TOWARD NEW FRONTIERS: A WIDER CANVAS The articles in this issue reflect the diversity and breadth of contemporary ophthalmic practice, encompassing original research, clinical insights, and evolving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This issue features a Guest Editorial by Dr. Subhash Dadeya on recent advances in amblyopia management and a Current Ophthalmology contribution by Dr. Rengaraj Venkatesh describing a safer button nucleus prolapse technique for hard nuclei in manual small incision cataract surgery.[7,8] The growing international presence of the journal is evident in this issue, with contributions from Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Singapore, continuing the pattern followed in recent issues with contributions from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Turkey, the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates, and Maldives, collectively enriching the discourse with perspectives from diverse healthcare systems.[9–11] TJOSR will continue to evolve as a journal that reflects both regional academic strength and global relevance. The journey forward is one of consolidation, expansion, and continued excellence. ‘Strong Roots, Clear Vision, Empowered Members, Global Impact’.