A comparative analysis of academic citation metrics among ophthalmologists in Türkiye using dimensions and iCite databases: Trends in publication metrics, gender, subspecialty, and institution type

This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of academic citation metrics among ophthalmologists across the 10 most important Turkish cities, examining variations in research productivity, gender distribution, and institutional patterns using the iCite and Dimensions.ai databases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2024 using publicly available data from the official website of the Turkish Higher Education Institution. It analyzed ophthalmologists in academic positions in state and private universities, and training hospitals in Türkiye's 10 largest cities. Data concerning academic rank (assistant, associate, and full professor), gender distribution, and subspecialties were collected. Bibliometric data, including research productivity and impact, were extracted using the National Institutes of Health iCite calculator and Dimensions.ai database. Three hundred twenty-six academics from 68 institutions in 10 cities were evaluated. Istanbul had the highest number of academics (39.6%), followed by Ankara (29.8%), and Izmir (10.7%). Female academics (53.37%) slightly outnumbered males (46.63%). Full professors constituted the majority (52.15%) of the academics, followed by associate professors (42.64%) and assistant professors (5.21%). State universities employed the largest proportion of ophthalmologists (41.1%), followed by teaching and research hospitals (35.9%), and private universities (23%). Research metrics from iCite and Dimensions databases showed that state universities exhibited significantly higher numbers of total publications and citations (P < .05). Subspecialty analysis revealed that cataract and refractive surgery yielded the largest number of publications per year (3.63 ± 1.97), while contact lens research had the highest relative citation ratio (RCR) (1.24 ± 0.81). Pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus exhibited the highest citations average (21.72 ± 15.37) and RCR (2.07 ± 0.86). Göztepe Training and Research Hospital registered the highest iCite RCR (3.99 ± 5.06), while Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital exhibited the highest Dimensions RCR (2.08 ± 1.57) and citations average (37.79 ± 38.94). State universities registered higher publication and citation counts, while training hospitals exhibited comparable research impact. Gender disparities persisted in senior ranks despite an overall balance being detected. Subspecialty analysis revealed that fields such as cataract-refractive surgery excelled in productivity, while others, such as vitreoretinal surgery, achieved lower RCR values. These findings emphasize the need for equity, collaboration, and optimized resource allocation in Türkiye's academic ophthalmology community.