The Landmark Achievement in Global Ophthalmology Rankings
The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), a cornerstone of ophthalmic research in Asia, has recently celebrated a monumental success by clinching the top position among non-academic institutions worldwide in the field of ophthalmology according to the ScholarGPS 2025 rankings.
ScholarGPS, a leading analytics platform, evaluates institutions using comprehensive metrics such as publication volume, citation influence, and broader scholarly reach. SERI's ascent reflects decades of dedicated translational research, transforming laboratory discoveries into real-world treatments for prevalent eye conditions affecting millions, particularly in Asia where diseases like myopia and diabetic retinopathy are rampant.
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Understanding ScholarGPS: The Metrics Behind SERI's Rise
ScholarGPS employs advanced algorithms to rank institutions and scholars by analyzing millions of publications and their impacts. For ophthalmology—a discipline encompassing the study and treatment of eye disorders—rankings consider factors like high-impact papers, collaborative networks, and innovation in specialties such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. SERI boasts 4,564 lifetime publications, with 1,506 in the last five years alone, dominating ophthalmology at 89.5% of its output.
In the global discipline rankings, SERI holds strong positions, including number one in prior five years for ophthalmology and specialties like diabetic retinopathy. This data-driven validation highlights why SERI stands out, especially as a non-academic entity focused on clinical translation rather than pure academia.
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SERI's Evolution: From Humble Beginnings to Asia-Pacific Leader
Established in 1997 by the visionary Professor Arthur Lim, SERI started with just five researchers as the research arm of the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). Today, it employs over 253 staff, including clinician-scientists and PhD students, making it the largest eye research institute in the Asia-Pacific.
Singapore's strategic investment in biomedical sciences propelled this growth, positioning SERI at the forefront of eye health research tailored to Asian populations, where genetic and environmental factors uniquely influence disease patterns.
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Core Research Pillars Driving SERI's Success
SERI's portfolio spans critical areas: diabetic retinopathy—the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults; glaucoma, affecting intraocular pressure; myopia epidemic in children; corneal disorders; and dry eye syndrome. Recent foci include artificial intelligence (AI) integration and digital therapeutics.
- Diabetic retinopathy research leads globally, with SERI #1 lifetime and five-year rankings in this specialty.
67 - Glaucoma studies contribute to early detection protocols.
- Ocular surface research advances dry eye treatments.
These efforts align with Singapore's aging population and rising diabetes prevalence, providing actionable insights for public health.
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Groundbreaking Innovations and Translational Wins
SERI's hallmark is turning science into therapies. Vabysmo (faricimab), co-developed by SERI researchers, halves injection frequency for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema patients—from monthly to every three-to-four months—enhancing quality of life.
Devices like EndoGlide—the first FDA-approved tool for corneal endothelial transplants—and Polarisation-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) for non-invasive myopia tracking exemplify SERI's ingenuity. These innovations have global reach, benefiting patients from the US to Japan.
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AI Revolution: SERI's Pioneering Role in Digital Ophthalmology
SERI has been a trailblazer in AI since the early 2000s. The Singapore Eye Lesion Analyser (SELENA+), an AI-powered software, detects diabetic retinopathy with high accuracy, powering Singapore's national screening program—one of the world's first fully deployed AI tools in clinical practice.
Associate Professor Daniel Ting Shu Wei, SERI's AI leader and a top-ranked global scholar (e.g., #2 in deep learning per Expertscape), has secured S$100 million in grants for AI-digital projects. His work exemplifies how SERI merges machine learning with retinal imaging for scalable diagnostics.
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Patient Impact and Real-World Outcomes
SERI's research directly alleviates suffering: SELENA+ screens thousands annually, preventing blindness. Myopine slows myopia progression by 50-60% in trials, addressing Singapore's 80%+ myopia rate among youth. EndoGlide has revolutionized transplants, reducing surgical risks.
SNEC, SERI's clinical partner, handles 400,000 outpatients and 30,000 surgeries yearly, translating research bedside. This ecosystem saves vision and cuts healthcare costs regionally.
Strategic Collaborations Fueling Excellence
SERI partners globally: Stanford's Byers Eye Institute (2024 MOU for education/research), Johnson & Johnson Vision (US$26M myopia project), Santen (SONIC 2.0 for therapies), and CityUHK. Locally, ties with NUS and Duke-NUS amplify impact.
These alliances leverage Singapore's hub status, fostering talent exchange and multi-site trials.
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Deep Ties to Singapore's Higher Education Landscape
As part of NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Duke-NUS, SERI trains next-gen researchers via PhD programs and adjunct faculties (260+). It bridges academia-clinics, offering students hands-on translational experience. This affiliation elevates Singapore universities in global biomedical rankings.
Aspiring academics can find faculty positions via higher ed faculty jobs or Singapore academic opportunities on AcademicJobs.com.
Leadership Insights and Stakeholder Perspectives
Executive Director Professor Jodhbir Mehta states: "This milestone testifies to our teams' dedication... validating our mission to translate research into patient outcomes."
Stakeholders praise SERI's model: government funding, clinician involvement, and Asia-centric focus yield high ROI.
Future Horizons: What's Next for SERI?
Looking to 2026, SERI eyes gene therapies, advanced AI models, and myopia prevention at scale. With Bitcoin surges and global investments, funding prospects brighten for eye tech.
For career advice in research, visit higher ed career advice.
SERI's Triumph: Boosting Singapore's Research Prestige
SERI's #1 ranking cements Singapore as a biomedical powerhouse, attracting talent and investments. It inspires universities like NUS, signaling opportunities in university jobs and research assistant roles. Explore Rate My Professor for insights or higher ed jobs to join the vision revolution.
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