Evolutionary patterns and research frontiers of artificial intelligence in age-related macular degeneration: a bibliometric analysis.

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) represents a significant clinical concern, particularly in aging populations, and recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have catalyzed substantial research interest in this domain. Despite the growing body of literature, there remains a need for a comprehensive, quantitative analysis to delineate key trends and emerging areas in the field of AI applications in AMD. This bibliometric analysis sought to systematically evaluate the landscape of AI-focused research on AMD to illuminate publication patterns, influential contributors, and focal research trends.

Methods: Using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), a search was conducted to retrieve relevant publications from 1992 to 2023. This analysis involved an array of bibliometric indicators to map the evolution of AI research in AMD, assessing parameters such as publication volume, national/regional and institutional contributions, journal impact, author influence, and emerging research hotspots. Visualization tools, including Bibliometrix, CiteSpace and VOSviewer, were employed to generate comprehensive assessments of the data.

Results: A total of 1,721 publications were identified, with the USA leading in publication output and the University of Melbourne as the most prolific institution. The journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science published the highest number of articles, and Schmidt-Eerfurth emerged as the most active author. Keyword and clustering analyses, along with citation burst detection, revealed three distinct research stages within the field from 1992 to 2023. Presently, research efforts are concentrated on developing deep learning (DL) models for AMD diagnosis and progression prediction. Prominent emerging themes include early detection, risk stratification, and treatment efficacy prediction. The integration of large language models (LLMs) and vision-language models (VLMs) for enhanced image processing also represents a novel research frontier.

Conclusions: This bibliometric analysis provides a structured overview of prevailing research trends and emerging directions in AI applications for AMD. These findings furnish valuable insights to guide future research and foster collaborative advancements in this evolving field.