The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), research arm of the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), has marked a historic milestone by securing the top spot among non-academic institutions worldwide in ophthalmology on the prestigious ScholarGPS platform. This achievement, announced in late 2025, places SERI at number two overall globally among all institutes in the field, based on scholarly output, citations, and influence over the prior five years. Such rankings underscore SERI's pivotal role in advancing eye health research, particularly for conditions prevalent in Asia like myopia and diabetic retinopathy.
Singapore's compact yet dynamic biomedical ecosystem has propelled SERI from a modest team of five in 1997 to over 250 staff today, including clinician-scientists, PhD students, and adjunct faculty from top universities. With more than 6,200 peer-reviewed publications, nearly $500 million in competitive grants, 885 awards, and 201 patents, SERI ranks first globally in eye-related publications per capita, outpacing giants like the US and UK.
Understanding the ScholarGPS Rankings and SERI's Top Position
ScholarGPS evaluates institutions using multifaceted metrics such as publication volume, citation impact, h-index, and scholarly collaboration networks, drawing from millions of profiles across disciplines. In ophthalmology—a field encompassing the study, diagnosis, and treatment of eye disorders—SERI clinched the number one spot for non-academic entities and second overall for the 2021-2025 period. Lifetime rankings show it at fourth globally, but recent five-year data highlights explosive growth, with 1,506 publications and 26,380 citations.
This positions SERI ahead of many university-affiliated centers, reflecting its translational focus: turning lab discoveries into clinical tools. For context, top spots are typically held by hospitals like Wills Eye Hospital or Moorfields Eye Hospital, making SERI's ascent remarkable for a Asia-Pacific leader.
Leadership at the Helm: Professor Jodhbir Mehta and Stellar Team
Professor Jodhbir Mehta, Executive Director of SERI since 2021 and Deputy CEO (Research) at SNEC, leads this charge. A corneal specialist with global acclaim, Mehta's vision emphasizes translating research into patient benefits. "This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our teams... validating our mission to translate innovative research into better outcomes," he stated in the official release.
Supporting him are luminaries like Professor Wong Tien Yin, a top-ranked ophthalmologist and key figure in epidemiology studies; Associate Professor Daniel Shu Wei Ting, ranked second globally in ophthalmology scholars; and others including Prof Tin Aung, Prof Jodhbir Mehta himself, Prof Jodhbir Mehta, and Adj A/Prof Rupesh Agrawal—all in ScholarGPS's top 20 for 2025. Five SNEC-SERI researchers made this elite list, placing them in the top 0.05% worldwide.
These leaders, often holding joint appointments at universities, mentor PhD candidates and clinician-scientists, fostering Singapore's next generation of eye researchers.
SERI's Foundational Journey: From Inception to Global Powerhouse
Conceived by the late Professor Arthur Lim in 1997, SERI addressed Singapore's rising eye disease burden amid urbanization and diabetes surge. As Asia's largest eye research institute, it collaborates with SingHealth, A*STAR, and international partners. Its adjunct faculty exceeds 260, linking to clinical sites and biomedical hubs.
Milestones include pioneering population studies like the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases program, revealing high myopia (up to 83% in young adults) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) rates, shaping national screening policies.
Leading the Fight Against Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a complication damaging retinal blood vessels leading to vision loss, affects millions globally, with Asia bearing heavy load due to diabetes prevalence. SERI leads with landmark papers like "Global Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy" (cited 1,000+ times), projecting 2045 burdens.
- Developed SELENA+, an AI system detecting referable DR with 90%+ accuracy, deployed nationwide in Singapore's Integrated Diabetic Retinopathy Programme—one of few fully AI-enabled national screens.
- Contributed to Vabysmo (faricimab), a bispecific antibody reducing injection frequency for DR and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from monthly to quarterly.
These efforts have screened millions, preventing blindness cost-effectively.
Photo by Harpreet Singh on Unsplash
Addressing Asia's Myopia Epidemic with Myopine
Myopia, or nearsightedness, has epidemic proportions in Singapore: 26% at Primary 1 (2023, down from higher via interventions), 80-90% in young adults. High myopia risks retinal detachment and glaucoma. SERI's myopia flagship produced Myopine®—low-dose (0.01%) atropine drops slowing progression by 50-60%.
Approved in Singapore and expanding Asia-wide, it's backed by trials like the ATOM studies. Newer Polarisation-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) tracks progression non-invasively. SERI's $21 million SONIC 2.0 with Santen targets myopia therapies further.
AI and Digital Health: Pioneering Tools Like SELENA+
SERI integrated AI early, with SELENA+ analyzing fundus images for DR lesions. Trained on 76,000+ images, it matches human experts, easing manpower shortages. Ongoing: AI for glaucoma, AMD, and multimodality imaging.
Prof Daniel Ting's work ranks him #2 globally, fueling digital health specialties where SERI tops charts.
Innovative Devices and Biopharma Breakthroughs
SERI's inventions include EndoGlide®, FDA-approved for corneal transplants, used worldwide; and PS-OCT for myopia biomarkers. In biopharma, partnerships yield drugs like Vabysmo, transforming treatment paradigms.
- 188+ patents filed, many licensed.
- Focus on dry eye (top-ranked specialty), glaucoma, cornea.
University Partnerships Fueling Higher Education Synergies
Affiliated with National University of Singapore's (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Duke-NUS Medical School, SERI hosts PhD programs, joint labs like Centre for Vision Research. This ecosystem trains clinician-scientists via residency-integrated research.
Such ties position Singapore universities as ophthalmology hubs, attracting global talent. Explore research jobs or postdoc opportunities in this vibrant field.
SERI on ScholarGPSSingapore's Biomedical Push and SERI's Role in Higher Ed
Government investments via National Research Foundation bolster SERI, enhancing university research output. This boosts Singapore's higher ed reputation, drawing international students and faculty.
For aspiring academics, SERI exemplifies clinician-scientist careers: blend clinical practice with high-impact research. Check academic CV tips or Singapore academic jobs.
Future Horizons: AI, Global Trials, and Beyond
Looking ahead, SERI eyes expanded AI, gene therapies, and Asia-centric trials. SONIC 2.0 aims for two clinical-stage drugs by 2030. As myopia surges globally (projected 50% by 2050), SERI's leadership will shape interventions.
Implications for higher ed: more professor positions in ophthalmology, interdisciplinary PhDs.
Career Insights and Opportunities
SERI's success signals booming demand for ophthalmology researchers. Roles span postdocs, research assistants to faculty at NUS/Duke-NUS. Singapore offers competitive salaries, grants, work-life balance.
- Skills: AI/ML, epidemiology, clinical trials.
- Advice: Publish early, collaborate internationally—SERI model.
Visit higher-ed-jobs, rate-my-professor, or career advice for paths forward.
