Satellite-derived light exposure and ocular health: Bibliometric mapping of research trends and knowledge structure

Abstract

As a highly photosensitive organ, ocular health is closely associated with environmental illumination conditions. Optical remote sensing, with its macroscopic monitoring capabilities, provides a complementary approach for characterizing spatiotemporal patterns of light exposure that are difficult to capture using traditional medical methods. To map the development of this cross-disciplinary domain encompassing optical remote sensing, light environment, and ocular diseases, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 1995 to 2024, examining temporal evolution, global collaboration, thematic structures, and emerging research fronts. The results revealed an overall increasing trend in annual publications, with the first cross-disciplinary convergence occurring in 2018. International collaboration is generally associated with higher citation impact and more efficient knowledge dissemination, although disparities in research productivity and network connectivity persist across regions, reflecting structural asymmetries in global knowledge production. Research hotspots centered on ultraviolet (UV) radiation and light pollution, with artificial light at night (ALAN) emerging as a rapidly expanding frontier topic. Optical remote sensing technology has undergone significant advancement and continues to evolve toward higher temporal resolution and broader analytical capability. Nevertheless, challenges remain in spectral detection, data integration, and cross-disciplinary coordination. We call for strengthened cross-disciplinary research to build a bridge between light environment, ocular diseases, and optical remote sensing, which can enhance scientific understanding of environmental determinants of ocular health and support evidence-informed environmental management.