Clinical Ophthalmology

Emerging Trends in Digital Ophthalmology and Social Media

The prevalence of social media use globally has resulted in a profound shift in how patients access and interact with health information. Studies show that 75% of patients turn to social media as their first resource for health-related inquiries. This trend has led many to use online information as a substitute for professional consultations.

New digital and AI-based technologies have also broadened patients' understanding of and access to eye health screening and treatment modalities. Increased digital access to health information can have a significant influence on patients' health-related behaviors, whether positively or negatively. All of this underscores a concerning gap in the professional oversight of health-related content obtained via these platforms.

More research is needed to evaluate digital platforms and the type of ophthalmology content trending online (including the prevalence of misinformation) in order to optimize patient education and encourage practices that promote eye health.

Misinformation amongst ophthalmology-related content on social media is rampant. The medical community has been slow to leverage social media as a tool for health education. Although 70% of physicians are active on social media, only a small fraction—around 10%—are involved in content creation. This disparity highlights a missed opportunity for clinicians to provide evidence-based, reliable health information to a vast audience, especially in the face of widespread misinformation online.

Given these dynamics, it is important for ophthalmologists to better understand emerging digital technologies, social media usage, and trending online topics in the eyecare space to improve patient education and guide patients toward more informed decision-making.

This Article Collection will explore the intersection between digital platforms and eye care. Key areas include the impact of social media on public awareness of eye health, the role of online communities in supporting patients with ocular diseases, and the effectiveness of social media campaigns in promoting preventive eye care.

This Article Collection will also focus on the accuracy of health information shared online, as well as misinformation and its effects on patient behavior and treatment outcomes.

Subtopics may include, but are not limited to:

• The use of telemedicine and virtual consultations in ophthalmology.
• The engagement of ophthalmologists in social media content creation.
• Ethical considerations regarding patient privacy and professional conduct in digital spaces.
• The influence of social media on medical education.
• The adoption of new digital technologies within the field of ophthalmology.

Both original research and review articles are welcome.

Submission Instructions:

Please submit your manuscript through the Dovepress website. During submission, enter the promo code QYYRU to indicate that your article should be considered for this Collection.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo full peer-review; Guest Advisors will not be handling submitted articles. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submission. Standard Article Publishing Charges apply.

The manuscript submission deadline is 1 February 2026.

If you have any questions about this Article Collection, please contact Krista Thom at Krista.Thom@taylorandfrancis.com.

Guest Advisor:

Dr. Dagny Zhu is a cornea, cataract, and refractive surgeon and the Medical Director and Partner of NVISION Eye Centers in her hometown of Rowland Heights, California. She also holds a clinical faculty appointment at the Western University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Her clinical and research interests include laser vision correction, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, and presbyopia-correcting IOL technologies.

In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Zhu has also garnered a large social media following as a Healio podcast co-host and healthcare influencer (@DZEyeMD with over 100k+ followers across platforms) where she educates on eye health, champions for women in medicine, and provides mentorship to the next generation.

Disclosure Statement: Dr. Zhu discloses no conflict of interest.