• Users Online: 58525
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page

   Table of Contents      
EDITORIAL
Year : 1999  |  Volume : 47  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 1-2

Changing times. Revisited.


India

Correspondence Address:
Taraprasad Das
India

Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


Rights and PermissionsRights and Permissions

How to cite this article:
Das T. Changing times. Revisited. Indian J Ophthalmol 1999;47:1-2

How to cite this URL:
Das T. Changing times. Revisited. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 1999 [cited 2024 Mar 28];47:1-2. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?1999/47/1/11/22800

The title of this editorial is modified slightly from that of my immediate predecessor's first one in 1993.[1] It is appropriate because it both honours the numerous contributions that Gullapalli N Rao has made to the journal and indicates my great respect for each of the superb individuals who have preceded me in the last forty six years of publication of IJO, the mouthpiece of Indian Ophthalmology and official publication of the society. Besides many wonderfully written editorials, Gullapalli N Rao's leadership has included the development of a remarkably competent editorial office staff. Spread over six years this also included me as Associate Editor.

Six years ago the immediate task before us was to build an ophthalmology journal that would cater to us, to the need of Indian ophthalmologists. The layout and the content of the journal was based on this need. The "Current Ophthalmology" as the lead article, and "Ophthalmology Practice" at the end, set the pattern, interspersed with original articles and case reports. "Community Eye Care" and "Letters to Editor" were added later. It was not too long before IJO became the most widely read ophthalmology journal in India, both by residents and practicing ophthalmologists. This is amply reflected by the fact that the printed text of the journal increased from less than fifty pages in 1993 to over ninety pages in 1998; a similar trend was also seen in the volume of product advertisements. It was indeed very appropriate that Gullapalli N Rao titled the last editorial "A Satisfying Six Years".[2] All of the above makes my immediate goal quite clear: not to foul up a smoothly running and successful operation!

My primary role as chief editor of IJO will be to referee the communications between contributors, reviewers, and readers. In last six years we have successfully established a clear system for peer review. I want to reemphasize my respect for scientific methods and strict adherence to the peer-review process.

The IJO's primary function will remain publication of the best clinical and research papers that will interest all ophthalmologists. The goal will be to deliver reliable, timely, and useful information. With continual analysis of submission, review, and production processes, and with appropriate application of newer communication technology we will try to decrease the overall time required for review, revision, and final printing. However, an inherent delay stemming from the simple reason that IJO is printed only four times a year, is inevitable. An immediate increase in the number of issues requires additional planning not only in the production process and staffing, but also in reviewing our financial resources, and the number and quality of papers submitted to the journal. The journal can only be as good as the articles it receives. I believe that many Indian ophthalmologists and vision scientists would like submission to IJO to be their first choice.

The new editorial board of IJO is a blend of relatively young individuals who have excelled as teachers, clinicians, basic researchers, and leaders. Chandran Abraham is an excellnt medical retina specialist at Chennai; Jyotirmoy Biswas is an ocular pathologist par excellence; U Narasimha Das is an internist with research interest in diabetes and immunology; Lingam Gopal and Atul Kumar are accomplished vitreoretinal surgeons; Jagat Ram teaches at Chandigarh and shares large research interest in catraract; Ch Mohan Rao is a distinguished biochemist with a special interest in protein chemistry applied to ophthalmology; Ravi Thomas is a wonderful blend of a clinician and teacher; and Abhay Vasavada is a dedicated and distinguished cataract surgeon.

I will be assisted by Lalit Dandona and Virender S Sangwan from L V Prasad Eye Institute. Lalit is a new generation public health ophthalmologist who looks beyond "mass eye camps" and has been my associate in the IJO for last three years; Virender, an ocular immunologist by training has tremendous flair for modern electronic media. Usha Raman has doctorate in mass communication and will look after maintenance of the uniform style of the journal. Durga Rani with her unfailing zeal will continue to be a constant inspiration in the editorial office.

These are indeed changing times. This editorial team and the editorial office will lead the journal into the next millennium, a momentous event in most of our lives. This century has seen a revolution in printing and communication technology. With introduction of newer media such as facsimiles, electronic mailing systems, and the internet, to name a few, the world has become considerably smaller. For the first time the IJO is going to use these powerful media and prepare itself to enter the next millennium. To begin, we will have a web site; this will allow the international community to browse through our journal. We could begin dialogue and discussion on patients and matters related to our profession; we could produce a CD-ROM of the entire volume of the IJO for multiple use at homes and libraries. The possibilities are many.

These are indeed changing times. We will walk together toward the future.

 
  References Top

1.
Rao G N. Changing Times, (editorial). MInd J Ophthalmol. 1993;41:1-2.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Rao G N. A Satisfying Six Years, (editorial) Ind J Ophthalmol. 1998;46:183  Back to cited text no. 2
    




 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
References

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed2061    
    Printed135    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded0    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal