Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the scientific contribution of King Saud University (KSU) to the field of ophthalmology using bibliometric methods and to contextualize its output within the Arab region. Materials and Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, covering publications from 1980 to July 2025. Articles were identified using ophthalmology-related terms and institutional affiliations linked to KSU and its associated hospitals. Analyses included publication trends, citation metrics, keyword evolution, author productivity, and collaboration networks. In addition, a second WoS query covering 22 Arab countries was performed to assess KSU’s contribution within the Arab region. RESULTS: A total of 11,376 ophthalmology-related publications from the Arab world were indexed in the WoS Core Collection between 1980 and July 2025. Among these, KSU is the most productive institution, contributing 1910 publications (16.79%). Of the KSU-affiliated publications, 1701 original research articles met the final inclusion criteria, accumulating a total of 32,042 citations (mean: 18.97 citations per publication). Annual scientific output showed exponential growth over time ( R ² =0.908). Keyword analysis revealed a persistent focus on diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and uveitis, while recent years saw an increasing emphasis on artificial intelligence. Collaboration networks demonstrated strong ties with institutions in the United States, Egypt, and Belgium. Conclusion: KSU has played a pivotal role in advancing ophthalmology research in the Arab world. Its expanding publication volume, global collaborations, and thematic alignment with emerging technologies underscore its growing impact. These findings can guide strategic academic planning and foster future interdisciplinary innovation.
Alkharashi et al. (2026) studied this question.