EDITORIAL POLICIES
Competency Criteria
The editorial board is composed of research scientists and medical specialists with extensive research experience. Editors play a crucial role in this journal, and our strategy is to select individuals who can effectively manage journal's growth. We typically prefer candidates with impressive academic careers. Excellent communication skills, teamwork capability, and prominence in the community are advantageous traits.
All editors and members of the editorial board serve on a voluntary basis. We generally follow the guidelines outlined in "ONET" regarding the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our editorial staff. To maintain relevance and uphold integrity, we regularly review and update the composition of the board. The journal also conducts periodic assessments of its editorial board to ensure that the expertise and contributions of its members remain aligned with the evolving academic and research standards of the journal.
Peer Review
The most important criterion for accepting a paper is its novelty and scientific rigor. The peer review and editorial processes are key mechanisms for ensuring the quality of published articles. Submitted articles undergo a rigorous double-blind external peer review to guarantee that only high-quality submissions are published. The published articles reflect up-to-date research findings, presenting reliable results and objective, unbiased discussions. The journal does not accept multiple or redundant submissions.
Author Contributions
Authors are individuals who have made significant contributions to the manuscript, encompassing the conception, design, execution, and interpretation of the study. All named authors must meet the ICMJE criteria for authorship, take responsibility for the integrity of the entire work, and provide final approval for the version to be published. Additionally, the corresponding author is responsible for signing the copyright agreement on behalf of the co-authors.
An individual is generally considered an author if they meet all of the following criteria:
The journal does not permit changes to authorship after the initial submission, including the addition or removal of authors, unless approved by the "Journal Ethics Committee". Minor changes will be reviewed by the "Journal Ethics Committee" and should be requested by completing an agreement form signed by all authors.
If authors wish to request dual first authorship or dual corresponding authorship, our journal may accommodate this by recognizing equal contributions from both authors. These requests must be submitted before the official acceptance of the manuscript, as they cannot be accepted after the final publication. Once confirmed by the "Journal Ethics Committee", a footnote will be added to the authors' names explaining the designation.
All authors should declare that their submission contains original research. They should affirm the accuracy and authenticity of their data. Additionally, authors should state that their manuscript has not been published or submitted elsewhere and is not currently under review by another journal. Authors are prohibited from using the verbatim text of previously published papers or manuscripts submitted to other journals.
The corresponding author holds primary responsibility for communication with the journal office throughout the publication process. This author should respond promptly to the editorial office, cooperate with any requests from the journal after publication, actively participate in the peer review process, and provide an erratum if necessary.
All funding sources and acknowledgments should be clearly stated in all submissions. References must be cited numerically, in the order of citation, following the Vancouver style. Furthermore, resources that contributed to the research should be duly acknowledged.
It is important to note that if any artificial intelligence (AI) tools have been used in the preparation of the manuscript, they must be acknowledged both in the manuscript itself and during the submission process. AI tools do not qualify for authorship and cannot be held responsible or accountable for the research outcomes; therefore, they should not be included in the author list.
Study Design
Protecting the rights of both patients and animals is of utmost importance, and the welfare of animals used in research must be respected. All animal studies should adhere to the Animal Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guidelines.
The following reporting guidelines are recommended for specific study types:
- Randomized clinical trials: CONSORT
- Systematic reviews: PRISMA
- Diagnostic studies: STARD
- Study protocols: SPIRIT
- Clinical practice guidelines: AGREE
- Qualitative research: SRQR
Authors should comply with the Declaration of Helsinki when conducting medical research involving human subjects, human materials, or human data. Additionally, the study should be approved by independent local, regional, or national review bodies. All participants involved in a research project should be fully informed about the study's aims and any potential side effects.
Authors are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the reported data and should address all comments made by peer reviewers during the publication process. If authors do not provide satisfactory responses to peer reviewer comments, the paper may be rejected.
Authors should include the clinical trial registration number in the Methods section. Reports of RCTs should provide information on all key components of the study, such as the protocol, methods of randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding methods, in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines. Authors are required to obtain permission for the use of any copyrighted materials, including figures and tables. Additionally, the journal reserves the right to request raw data even after publication.
Relevant links concerning further details about study designs:
CASP: https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/
COREQ: https://academic.oup.com/intqhc/article/19/6/349/1791966
CROSS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33886027/
ENTREQ: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23185978/
GRADE-CERQual: https://www.cerqual.org/
GRIPP2: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28768629/
PRISMA (2020): http://prisma-statement.org/prismastatement/Checklist.aspx
PRISMA-ScR: http://www.prisma-statement.org/Extensions/ScopingReviews
SRQR: https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/srqr/
STROBE: https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/strobe/
TIDieR-PHP: https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k1079
TRIPOD: https://www.tripod-statement.org/resources/
Publication Fees
The Article Processing Charge (APC) for accepted papers is Euro 2,400, covering an unlimited word count, with no additional page charges or supplementary fees. The APC applies to all types of articles.
The journal does not receive any funding from governmental, educational, charitable, or other sources. As we do not accept advertisements, we require authors to pay the APC for their work to be published. This fee covers the costs associated with open access, journal production, web hosting, database management, online repository services, archiving, XML conversion, reference formatting, and an unlimited number of color figures. Submission of a manuscript and the peer review process are free of charge. Accepted papers also benefit from comprehensive English editing at no extra cost.
To ensure transparency, the APC is clearly outlined on the journal's website. Authors are informed about the APC at the beginning of the submission process to prevent any unexpected financial commitments. Please note that APCs are non-refundable after the official acceptance letter is issued or if an article is retracted. At this time, we do not offer full waivers or discounts.
If there are any changes to the APC or additional fees, authors will be notified in advance through the journal's website and submission guidelines. Editorial decisions are made independently of fees or waiver status, and the peer review process remains focused on the quality and originality of research. These policies are designed to ensure the financial sustainability of the journal while upholding fairness, transparency, and academic integrity.
Note: If you have any questions about the APC payment process, please contact our editorial office at optometry@mehdijournal.com.
PEER REVIEW POLICIES
Ethical considerations and scientific rigor are essential to our peer review process, ensuring that all published research meets the highest academic standards. Quality control is crucial to our academic framework. To uphold integrity and objectivity, all submissions go through a double-blind external peer review process.
Submission and screening
The corresponding author should submit the manuscript along with a signed copyright agreement through the journal’s website, and in certain cases, via email. All submissions should be in English. Please note that submitting a manuscript does not guarantee its acceptance.
Upon submission, the editor will conduct an initial screening to ensure that the manuscript complies with the journal’s formatting guidelines and aligns with its aims and scope. Additionally, the editor will check for plagiarism using the iThenticate tool and will look for any duplicate or redundant submissions, as well as any ethical concerns. If a manuscript does not meet these requirements, it will be returned to the authors for revisions or may be rejected outright.
Submissions from board members, journal staff, or editors will also undergo peer review. These submissions should be managed by an independent editorial board member who has no conflicts of interest. In such cases, the editor will remain unaware of the reviewers' identities to maintain impartiality.
Inviting peer reviewers
All submissions undergo a double-blind external peer review process. Editors, staff, and potential reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest exists between a reviewer and the authors or the research funder, the manuscript will be assigned to another reviewer.
Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are sent to at least two external reviewers who volunteer based on their scientific expertise and experience. Author recommendations may also be considered. All supplementary materials are included in the peer review process. Reviews typically take 1 to 2 months, although some cases may take longer. Authors will be informed of any delays and may withdraw their manuscript if they choose.
Peer reviewers are independent experts outside the journal’s editorial team, ensuring an unbiased and rigorous evaluation. Reviewers, editors, and journal staff should declare any conflicts of interest and adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines throughout the process. All submitted manuscripts remain confidential, and reviewer comments are not disclosed publicly.
During the review, experts evaluate the manuscript's novelty, scientific importance, relevance to the general readership, originality, reliability, compliance with the journal’s peer review and ethical policies (as outlined on the journal’s website), statistical validity, methodology, language clarity, and overall scientific rigor. Constructive feedback is provided to help improve the manuscript, but an invitation to revise does not guarantee acceptance.
Decision
Each manuscript is required to receive at least two peer review reports. Reviewers will submit their comments to the editorial office based on a comprehensive checklist, along with a recommendation to either accept or reject the manuscript, or to request minor or major revisions. Once the reviews are complete, the Editor-in-Chief will summarize the comments, issue a recommendation, and send the reviewers' feedback, along with a decision letter, to the corresponding author detailing the manuscript's status.
If revisions are needed, the review process may be repeated until the manuscript meets the journal's standards and the reviewers' expectations. If accepted, the manuscript will proceed to publication, with the corresponding author receiving a proof copy for final verification. For minor revisions, authors must address the reviewer comments and submit a revised version within two weeks, clearly highlighting all changes and providing a response document explaining how each comment was addressed. Major revisions will require significant restructuring or methodological improvements, with a four-week resubmission deadline. These manuscripts will undergo another review before a final decision is made.
If a manuscript is rejected, the decision is typically based on methodological weaknesses, ethical concerns, or lack of originality. In such cases, authors will receive feedback outlining the reasons for the rejection, allowing them to refine their work and seek publication elsewhere.
Note: The Editor-in-Chief and editorial board are committed to conducting all reviews objectively and ethically, with any potential conflicts of interest disclosed at each stage of the process. The journal maintains strict quality control measures to ensure that all published research is credible, impactful, and meets the highest academic standards. This structured and rigorous peer review process protects the integrity and credibility of every published article. Please note that the reviewers’ comments will not be published.
All submitted manuscripts, including supplementary materials, are subject to peer review to ensure academic integrity. The review process is conducted anonymously, which helps maintain confidentiality and impartiality. While reviewers evaluate the manuscript, the final decision is made collectively by the editorial board and is formally approved by the Editor-in-Chief. Accepted papers are typically published within 8 to 10 weeks.
In the event of delays, authors will be promptly informed and given the option to withdraw their submission. To ensure transparency, the submission and acceptance dates will be published alongside all articles, providing a clear record of the review timeline. All types of manuscripts undergo peer review to maintain the journal's quality standards.
We offer a special service called "presubmission inquiries." During the initial screening phase, manuscripts that fall outside the scope of our journal will be excluded. To utilize this service, the corresponding author should email an abstract and a cover letter to the editorial office. We aim to respond to these submissions within one week. The purpose of the "presubmission inquiry" is to determine whether the submitted manuscript aligns with the journal's scope. However, please note that there is no guarantee of acceptance for any particular submission following the presubmission inquiry process.
ETHICS & ADVERTISEMENT POLICIES
Ethics is a crucial consideration at every stage of our work, including peer review and editorial policies. We adhere to the guidelines set by the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) guidelines regarding editorial processes, peer review, advertising, ethics, informed consent, and the management of cases that require corrections, retractions, and editorial expressions of concern. Additionally, we respect the policies outlined by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Recommendations for the conduct, reporting, editing, and publication of scholarly work in medical journals, as well as the guidelines from COPE and the Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing.
Our journal's publication ethics policies, following COPE’s Core Practice guidance, are clearly visible on the journal's website.
We adhere to the ICMJE recommendations regarding authorship, which are based on the following four criteria:
All authors should meet all four criteria for authorship. The acknowledgments section should acknowledge individuals who do not fulfill these criteria, such as those who provide technical or writing assistance, general supervision, or who offer grants, financial contributions, and material support. Additionally, permission must be obtained from anyone mentioned in this section.
The corresponding author is responsible for communicating with the journal during the manuscript submission, peer review, and publication processes. This person handles administrative tasks, responds to editorial inquiries, and remains available after publication to address feedback, answer questions, and provide additional data if requested.
The corresponding author oversees the manuscript throughout the entire publication process. This person serves as the main point of contact between the journal and the other authors and is responsible for signing the copyright agreement on behalf of all authors. The corresponding author ensures that all authors review and approve the final manuscript before submission, submits the manuscript for peer review, and communicates with the journal regarding decisions, letters, and reviewer feedback.
Please note that our policy prohibits changes to authorship after the initial submission, including adding or removing authors, unless approved by the "Journal Ethics Committee". Minor changes will be reviewed by the "Journal Ethics Committee" but should be requested through an agreement form signed by all authors.
If authors wish to request dual first authorship or dual corresponding authorship, our journal may accommodate this, indicating equal contribution from both authors. Such requests must be made before the official acceptance of the manuscript, as they cannot be accommodated after final publication. Once confirmed by the "Journal Ethics Committee", a footnote will be added to the authors' names to provide an explanation.
In accordance with COPE guidelines, we accept complaints and appeals via email or post, including anonymous submissions. Readers are also welcome to comment on published articles. If you have concerns regarding decisions made by the Editor-in-Chief or reviewers, please submit your complaint with detailed documentation, and you will receive a confirmation code. The investigation may take up to 12 weeks.
Complaints will be reviewed by the journal’s science integrity officer. If necessary, additional documents may be requested from the corresponding author and their institution. The case will then be forwarded to the "Journal Ethics Committee", which consists of two journal board members, the science integrity officer, and the Editor-in-Chief.
A preliminary decision will be communicated within one week. If there are objections, the case will be escalated to a second committee. This committee will include additional members, such as a representative from the ethical committee of the author’s affiliated institution and a legal expert, who will make a final decision. No further action will be taken until a conclusion is reached.
Our journal is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics by strictly following COPE and ICMJE guidelines. We have developed a comprehensive framework to identify and address potential publishing and research misconduct.
To support this effort, the publisher offers multiple channels for reporting concerns and ensures the confidentiality of whistleblowers. We also effectively manage ethical issues that may arise on social media. With a structured ethical review process in place, our journal prioritizes transparent and ethical handling of all cases of misconduct, in alignment with international best practices.
This dedication not only reinforces trust within the academic community but also contributes to the broader goal of preserving integrity in scholarly publishing.
To facilitate the reporting of potential misconduct, we have established a dual-channel system that ensures both accessibility and efficiency. Individuals can submit reports either by email or through regular mail to begin the process.
Whistleblowers play a crucial role in uncovering ethical violations in research and publication. We greatly value their contributions and assure that their identities will be kept confidential throughout the investigation. All reports submitted via email or regular mail will be formally investigated while maintaining the whistleblower's anonymity, if desired.
Whistleblower reports can cover a range of issues, from identifying scientific errors to serious allegations such as plagiarism, image manipulation, and other forms of research misconduct.
Concerns raised on social media are acknowledged and directed to formal complaint mechanisms to ensure a comprehensive review. When issues are publicly addressed, our journal recognizes the feedback and encourages individuals to submit a formal complaint via email to the editorial office listed on the journal's website. All responses to social media concerns are provided through the publisher’s official accounts while adhering to ethical and legal protocols. Following an investigation, outcomes such as corrections or retractions are communicated through appropriate channels, including the same social media platforms where the concerns were initially expressed.
To ensure a thorough evaluation of ethical concerns, we have implemented a structured ethical review system with multiple levels of supervision. The "Journal Ethics Committee" consists of two journal board members, the science integrity officer, and the Editor-in-Chief. All reported concerns are electronically recorded and reviewed at the earliest committee meeting.
Upon confirmation of misconduct, the journal follows the guidelines set by COPE and ICMJE, which may include issuing corrections or even retracting articles. If serious scientific misconduct is discovered at any stage of production or post-publication, the article will be withdrawn or retracted. If fraudulent behavior is suspected, further investigations may involve the author’s higher authorities. Corrections or retractions of published articles will be made by publishing a correction or retraction notice. This approach ensures that the original article remains in the public domain while subsequent notes are published. The journal assumes responsibility for errors originating from our side. If errors are caused by the authors, a correction will be published in the earliest possible issue.
Conflicts of interest refer to factors that may not be immediately apparent but could influence the judgment of authors, peer reviewers, or editors. These conflicts are defined as circumstances that, if disclosed later, might lead readers to feel misled or deceived. They can take various forms, including personal, commercial, political, academic, or financial.
All authors, editors, reviewers, and journal staff are required to provide detailed information regarding any financial interests or conflicts from the past five years, as well as any foreseeable conflicts. Authors without relevant financial interests must submit a statement confirming the absence of such conflicts related to their submission. A declaration of conflicts of interest is mandatory for all submissions. All conflicts of interest related to the manuscript should be disclosed by the authors, including but not limited to commercial, personal, political, and intellectual conflicts. All editors, editorial staff, and reviewers should also report potential conflicts of interest related to the submissions they are working on. Authors are encouraged to complete the uniform disclosure form available at http://www.icmje.org/conflicts-of-interest/.
Conflicts of interest must be explicitly stated at the time of submission. Declaring a conflict of interest does not automatically result in manuscript rejection; however, we will publish declared conflicts alongside any accepted paper. Authors are required to disclose any financial interests that could influence their research, including funding support, employment, stock ownership, consultancy fees, and patents. They should specify the role of any organization in funding, research design, data collection, analysis, and publication decisions. Employment history—whether past, present, or anticipated—must also be reported. Furthermore, authors must declare any patents or applications that could be affected by publication, providing details such as the applicant, inventors, application status, and relevance to the manuscript.
Non-financial conflicts of interest may arise from personal or professional relationships that could impact the publication process. Authors and referees should disclose any unpaid roles that might influence their objectivity. Examples include unpaid memberships in governmental or non-governmental organizations, advocacy or lobbying groups, and advisory roles in commercial entities. Additionally, authors should report any consulting or writing relationships with educational companies and any service as expert witnesses.
Authors associated with pharmaceutical companies sponsoring clinical trials must disclose their affiliations in the conflict of interest section during submission. They are also required to adhere to the Good Publication Practice (GPP3) guidelines to ensure ethical and responsible publication of industry-sponsored research.
These guidelines apply to all entities involved in industry-sponsored publications, including freelance writers, contract research organizations, and communications firms. Our journal does not publish advertorial content.
Manuscripts with undisclosed conflicts of interest will not be accepted. If a conflict is discovered after publication, we will follow COPE guidelines, which may involve retracting or publishing a correction.
Authors are encouraged to archive their research data and ensure it is accessible for others to reuse. If authors intend to publish data or information from an institution, they should obtain permission from the institution and provide the signed consent at the time of manuscript submission. If authors refer to "research data" in their article and have uploaded this data during the submission, they may state: "The data presented in this study have been uploaded as a supplementary file during submission and are openly available for readers upon request. [Dataset name: XXX, File type]."
Authors are required to obtain ethical permission from their institution before conducting research. This permission must include an agreement to adhere to standard ethical practices. An "Ethical Approval" is necessary for studies involving human or animal participants, cell lines, medical records, or human samples. Prior to starting any research project that involves human or animal subjects or personal data, authors must seek ethical approval from their institution's research ethics committee. The specific information required for approval will vary depending on the field of study and the type of research being conducted.
Generally, studies that do not require ethical approval include those involving data collection or analysis without human participants, research based on publicly available information, as well as review articles, correspondence, and editorials. However, authors should check with their affiliated institution or ethics committee to confirm if ethical approval is necessary for specific cases according to local ethics committee guidelines. For animal studies, approval from an ethical review committee is essential, along with adherence to international, national, and/or institutional guidelines on animal welfare. In the case of human research, ethical approval must be clearly stated in the methods section. Authors should also confirm that all experiments involving humans or animals were conducted in compliance with relevant institutional guidelines.
Informed consent is mandatory for all research involving human subjects. Written informed consent should be obtained from all participants or their legal representatives, if applicable. Patient information should be remained confidential and anonymous. Additionally, the journal reserves the right to request related documentation. It is also highly recommended to obtain written and signed informed consent from patients or their guardians before publishing a case report. Templates for informed consent forms can be found on the WHO website.
Our journal uses the iThenticate Plagiarism Detector to assess the originality of submitted manuscripts. This service helps us identify whether any text in the manuscript appears in other publications or sources. Since most online materials are copyrighted, authors must obtain permission from the copyright holder before using such content.
We operate as an open-access journal, meaning that all articles are freely available online upon publication. This model offers several benefits to authors, including worldwide free access, increased visibility, and enhanced readership. Our journal is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0), which allows for the copying and redistribution of the material for non-commercial purposes, provided that the original work is properly cited.
We have established policies to facilitate post-publication discussions and corrections. Our journal encourages post-publication discussion, publishes letters to the editor along with their responses, and has established procedures to address concerns and retract articles when necessary. We also document the “correction process” for papers that may not be significantly flawed enough to warrant retraction.
Readers are encouraged to email comments on any published articles. On behalf of our editorial board, we welcome all constructive feedback, which will be forwarded to the authors. The "Journal Ethics Committee" will review all comments, and we have mechanisms in place for correcting, revising, or retracting articles after publication.
Letters to the editor related to published content are welcome and should be submitted within nine months of the original publication.
A correction refers to a modification or update made to previously published material, often referred to as "errata." Corrections can be initiated by the author after acceptance, during the publication process, or after publication if necessary for scientific accuracy. The correction is published in the next available issue and is linked online to the original article.
An Expression of Concern may be issued to address serious issues or potentially misleading information in a published article. This can occur following an investigation or as a provisional notice if further investigation is required. A retraction is a formal statement indicating that a previously published work will be removed from the journal. Retractions can be initiated by either the journal's editors or the authors of the paper. However, the final decision to retract ultimately lies with the "Journal Ethics Committee", even if some or all authors disagree.
The "Journal Ethics Committee" should consider retracting a publication if the findings are deemed unreliable due to major errors, fabrication, or falsification. Retraction is also appropriate in cases of plagiarism, redundant publication, unauthorized use of data, copyright infringement, or other legal issues. Publications may be retracted for reporting unethical research, image manipulation, unethical citation practices, or compromised peer review processes. Additionally, failure by authors to disclose significant conflicts of interest that could affect interpretations or recommendations may lead to retraction. The "Journal Ethics Committee" is responsible for maintaining the integrity of published research by retracting work that violates ethical, legal, or professional standards.
Retraction notices in our journal should be clearly linked to the retracted article across all online versions. They should include the article's title and authors, be clearly labeled as retractions, and be published promptly to minimize harm. Retraction notices should be freely accessible to all readers and specify who is retracting the article along with the reasons for the retraction. The notice should remain objective, factual, and avoid inflammatory language.
Advertising Policy
We believe that advertisements should be independent of editorial decisions, and all advertising content must be clearly distinguished from editorials and research articles to avoid any confusion. Advertisements that are harmful to health or related to issues of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion are not permitted. Drug-related advertisements must promote rational drug use and must not be misleading in any way.
Editorial decisions and publisher assignments are made without influence from advertisements or sponsorships. The publisher reserves the right to withdraw medication-specific targeted campaigns tied to particular articles. All advertising inquiries are subject to review by the "Journal Ethics Committee". Additionally, the journal disclaims any responsibility for potential harm resulting from ideas or products mentioned in articles or advertisements. Currently, this journal does not accept advertisements.
PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPARENCY AND BEST PRACTICE IN SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING
The Journal adheres to the ICMJE uniform requirements for manuscripts. Additionally, it follows the COPE guidelines and the Principles of Transparency (PoT) and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing. The views expressed in the journal’s publications are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher or the editorial board. The publisher and board members do not endorse any services or products mentioned in our publications and disclaim any accountability or liability for such materials.
Our journal is committed to upholding the latest principles of transparency and best practices in scholarly publishing. The Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the Open Access Scholarly Publishing Association (OASPA), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) are scholarly organizations that have collaborated to identify these principles. They recognize that publishers and editors hold the responsibility for promoting accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusivity at every stage of the publication process.
Editorial decisions in our journal are based solely on scholarly merit and are not influenced by the manuscript's origin, authors' nationality, ethnicity, political beliefs, race, or religion. We uphold strict ethical standards to maintain transparency, academic rigor, and independence in all publication decisions.
This journal is dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical publishing standards by implementing the COPE Toolkit and ICMJE recommendations. We strive to provide a strong framework for our ethical policies and encourage feedback from users to continually enhance the journal's management.
Principles of Transparency (PoT) (https://publicationethics.org/guidance/guideline/principles-transparency-and-best-practice-scholarly-publishing):
PoT 1. Name of journal:
The journal’s name is unique: Medical hypothesis, discovery & innovation in optometry.
PoT 2. Website
The journal's website is designed to protect users and uphold high ethical and professional standards. It avoids misleading information and does not imitate other websites. The site includes an 'Aims and Scope' statement, defines authorship, and outlines the criteria for publication. The ISSN is clearly displayed on the website. Additionally, the journal does not accept multiple or redundant submissions.
PoT 3. Publishing schedule
The publishing schedule has been clear and consistently followed every season since the Summer of 2020.
PoT 4. Archiving
The journal has a plan for electronic backup and long-term digital preservation of its content. This plan ensures continued access to the main articles through CLOCKSS, secured by an official archiving contract (contract number: 1015586). This provision remains in effect in the event that the journal or the publisher ceases operations.
PoT 5. Copyright
The copyright terms for published content are clearly stated on the website and within the articles themselves. The copyright holder is identified in the full text of all articles. When using copyrighted materials, authors should obtain permission from the copyright holder.
PoT 6. Licensing
Published articles are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License. This license allows for the copying and redistribution of the material for non-commercial purposes, provided that proper credit is given to the original work. The licensing information for the published content is clearly stated on the website, both within the content and in the full text of all articles.
PoT 7. Publication ethics and related editorial policies
Our journal's publication ethics policies, based on COPE’s Core Practice guidance, are clearly outlined on the journal website.
PoT 8. Peer review process
Ethical considerations and scientific rigor are essential to our peer review process, ensuring that all published research meets the highest academic standards. Quality control is crucial to our academic framework. To uphold integrity and objectivity, all submissions go through a double-blind external peer review process.
Submission and screening
The corresponding author should submit the manuscript along with a signed copyright agreement through the journal’s website, and in certain cases, via email. All submissions should be in English. Please note that submitting a manuscript does not guarantee its acceptance.
Upon submission, the editor will conduct an initial screening to ensure that the manuscript complies with the journal’s formatting guidelines and aligns with its aims and scope. Additionally, the editor will check for plagiarism using the iThenticate tool and will look for any duplicate or redundant submissions, as well as any ethical concerns. If a manuscript does not meet these requirements, it will be returned to the authors for revisions or may be rejected outright.
Submissions from board members, journal staff, or editors will also undergo peer review. These submissions should be managed by an independent editorial board member who has no conflicts of interest. In such cases, the editor will remain unaware of the reviewers' identities to maintain impartiality.
Inviting peer reviewers
All submissions undergo a double-blind external peer review process. Editors, staff, and potential reviewers should disclose any conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest exists between a reviewer and the authors or the research funder, the manuscript will be assigned to another reviewer.
Manuscripts that pass the initial screening are sent to at least two external reviewers who volunteer based on their scientific expertise and experience. Author recommendations may also be considered. All supplementary materials are included in the peer review process. Reviews typically take 1 to 2 months, although some cases may take longer. Authors will be informed of any delays and may withdraw their manuscript if they choose.
Peer reviewers are independent experts outside the journal’s editorial team, ensuring an unbiased and rigorous evaluation. Reviewers, editors, and journal staff should declare any conflicts of interest and adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines throughout the process. All submitted manuscripts remain confidential, and reviewer comments are not disclosed publicly.
During the review, experts evaluate the manuscript's novelty, scientific importance, relevance to the general readership, originality, reliability, compliance with the journal’s peer review and ethical policies (as outlined on the journal’s website), statistical validity, methodology, language clarity, and overall scientific rigor. Constructive feedback is provided to help improve the manuscript, but an invitation to revise does not guarantee acceptance.
Decision
Each manuscript is required to receive at least two peer review reports. Reviewers will submit their comments to the editorial office based on a comprehensive checklist, along with a recommendation to either accept or reject the manuscript, or to request minor or major revisions. Once the reviews are complete, the Editor-in-Chief will summarize the comments, issue a recommendation, and send the reviewers' feedback, along with a decision letter, to the corresponding author detailing the manuscript's status.
If revisions are needed, the review process may be repeated until the manuscript meets the journal's standards and the reviewers' expectations. If accepted, the manuscript will proceed to publication, with the corresponding author receiving a proof copy for final verification. For minor revisions, authors must address the reviewer comments and submit a revised version within two weeks, clearly highlighting all changes and providing a response document explaining how each comment was addressed. Major revisions will require significant restructuring or methodological improvements, with a four-week resubmission deadline. These manuscripts will undergo another review before a final decision is made.
If a manuscript is rejected, the decision is typically based on methodological weaknesses, ethical concerns, or lack of originality. In such cases, authors will receive feedback outlining the reasons for the rejection, allowing them to refine their work and seek publication elsewhere.
Note: The Editor-in-Chief and editorial board are committed to conducting all reviews objectively and ethically, with any potential conflicts of interest disclosed at each stage of the process. The journal maintains strict quality control measures to ensure that all published research is credible, impactful, and meets the highest academic standards. This structured and rigorous peer review process protects the integrity and credibility of every published article. Please note that the reviewers’ comments will not be published.
All submitted manuscripts, including supplementary materials, are subject to peer review to ensure academic integrity. The review process is conducted anonymously, which helps maintain confidentiality and impartiality. While reviewers evaluate the manuscript, the final decision is made collectively by the editorial board and is formally approved by the Editor-in-Chief. Accepted papers are typically published within 8 to 10 weeks.
In the event of delays, authors will be promptly informed and given the option to withdraw their submission. To ensure transparency, the submission and acceptance dates will be published alongside all articles, providing a clear record of the review timeline. All types of manuscripts undergo peer review to maintain the journal's quality standards.
We offer a special service called "presubmission inquiries." During the initial screening phase, manuscripts that fall outside the scope of our journal will be excluded. To utilize this service, the corresponding author should email an abstract and a cover letter to the editorial office. We aim to respond to these submissions within one week. The purpose of the "presubmission inquiry" is to determine whether the submitted manuscript aligns with the journal's scope. However, please note that there is no guarantee of acceptance for any particular submission following the presubmission inquiry process.
PoT 9. Access
Our journal follows an Open Access model, which means that all articles are available online to users immediately upon publication. The publisher retains the rights to publish and distribute the work, including for commercial purposes. The publisher may present the article in various formats and media to ensure accessibility across evolving technologies. Additionally, the publisher has the authority to enforce these rights, protecting against plagiarism and copyright infringement.
PoT 10. Ownership and management
The journal is owned and published by IVORC, a registered non-profit corporation located in Austin, Texas, United States, dedicated to maintaining integrity and scientific rigor in all its operations. In 2024, IVORC expanded its reach by establishing an Asia-Pacific office in Muscat, Oman. The Association of Malaysian Optometrists has formed an academic collaboration with the Medical hypothesis, discovery & innovation in optometry journal by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership aims to advance research and education in the field of optometry. Additionally, over 9,600 scientists are active members of the IVORC LinkedIn page, where they participate in discussions and collaborations within the scientific community.
PoT 11. Advisory body
The editorial board is made up of experts whose knowledge and expertise aligns with the journal’s aims and scope. To maintain transparency and credibility, the names and affiliations of all board members are publicly available on the journal’s website. Both the Editor-in-Chief and the Deputy Editor-in-Chief are active members of the American Academy of Optometry. To ensure the board remains relevant and maintains its integrity, its composition is reviewed and updated regularly. The journal also conducts periodic assessments of its editorial board to ensure that members’ expertise and contributions are consistent with the journal’s evolving academic and research standards.
PoT 12. Editorial team (governing body)/contact information
The journal's website provides the full names and affiliations of its editors, along with detailed contact information for the editorial office, including a complete mailing address, to enhance transparency and accessibility. Additionally, links to Orchid and publications are available on members' profiles.
PoT 13. Author fees
The Article Processing Charge (APC) for accepted papers is Euro 2,400, which covers an unlimited word count without any additional page charges or supplementary fees.
The journal does not receive funding from governmental, educational, charitable, or any other sources. We do not accept advertisements, and therefore, we require authors to pay the APC. Every stage of the publication process incurs costs, and the APC helps cover these expenses. It includes costs associated with open access, journal production, web hosting, database management, online repository services, archiving, XML conversion, reference formatting, and an unlimited number of color figures.
Submitting a manuscript and undergoing the peer review process are free of charge. Accepted papers also receive comprehensive English editing at no cost. The APC is clearly stated on the journal’s website to ensure transparency, and authors are informed about the APC at the beginning of the submission process to avoid any unexpected financial commitments.
Please note that APCs are non-refundable after the official acceptance of a paper or if articles are retracted. Currently, we do not offer full waivers or discounts. If there are any planned changes to the APC or additional fees, authors will be notified in advance through the journal’s website and submission guidelines.
Editorial decisions are made independently of any fees or waiver status, ensuring that the peer review process remains focused solely on the quality and originality of the research. These policies are in place to ensure the journal's financial sustainability while maintaining fairness, transparency, and academic integrity.
PoT 14. Other revenue
The journal does not receive funding from government agencies, educational institutions, or external sources, and it does not accept advertisements. As a result, it relies entirely on article processing charge (APC) contributions from authors. The journal's business model and revenue sources, which include income from copyrights and APC, do not affect editorial decision-making. The peer review and editorial processes are carried out with integrity, ensuring that acceptance is based solely on the quality, originality, and scientific merit of the research.
PoT 15. Advertising
We believe that advertisements should be independent of editorial decisions, and all advertising content must be clearly distinguished from editorials and research articles to avoid any confusion. Advertisements that are harmful to health or related to issues of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion are not permitted. Drug-related advertisements must promote rational drug use and must not be misleading in any way.
Editorial decisions and publisher assignments are made without influence from advertisements or sponsorships. The publisher reserves the right to withdraw medication-specific targeted campaigns tied to particular articles. All advertising inquiries are subject to review by the "Journal Ethics Committee". Additionally, the journal disclaims any responsibility for potential harm resulting from ideas or products mentioned in articles or advertisements. Currently, this journal does not accept advertisements.
PoT 16. Direct marketing
The journal has a policy in place to ensure that all direct marketing activities, including manuscript solicitations, are carried out in a respectful, appropriate, well-targeted, and unobtrusive manner. Any promotional communications must provide accurate and transparent information about both the journal and its publisher, so that authors and readers are not misled in any way.