RESEARCH TREND: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A SELF-INSTILLATION EYE DROP (SIED) TECHNIQUE MODULE AND IMPROVED SELF-INSTILLATION EYE DROP TECHNIQUE AMONG GLAUCOMA PATIENTS

Abstract

Self-instillation of eye drops is an essential skill for individuals with glaucoma, yet many struggle with proper technique, impacting treatment adherence and outcomes. To address this, our bibliometric analysis focuses on the development and validation of the Self-Instillation Eye Drop (SIED) technique, aiming to map the research landscape, identify influential studies, and evaluate global trends. Despite the growing emphasis on patient-centered care, there remains a gap in understanding how scholarly attention has evolved in this domain. This study utilized Scopus Analyzer, OpenRefine, and VOSviewer software to systematically extract, clean, and visualize bibliographic data from 2015 to 2025, with 2025 being the most recent year analyzed. We examined annual publication trends, most cited authors, keyword co-occurrence, productive countries, and international collaborations. The results indicate a significant rise in publications between 2018 and 2021, peaking in 2020, likely spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic's push for remote and self-managed care. The United States (US) led with the highest publication and citation counts, while countries such as Japan, China, and India also demonstrated substantial contributions. Top-cited works largely explored drug delivery innovations and clinical trials linked to ophthalmic care. Keyword analysis revealed core themes including glaucoma, self-instilled eye drops, ocular drug delivery, and patient adherence, reflecting a multidisciplinary convergence. Co-authorship networks underscored the dominance of Western countries in global collaboration efforts. In conclusion, the development and validation of the SIED technique have gained measurable scholarly traction, especially during shifts in health systems toward self-care models. This bibliometric analysis highlights the importance of sustaining research in this field and encourages broader global collaboration to enhance technique standardization and patient outcomes in glaucoma management.