The Landmark Milestone in Global Ophthalmology Research

The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), renowned for its pioneering work in ophthalmic and vision research, has recently claimed the top spot among non-academic institutes worldwide in ophthalmology according to the prestigious ScholarGPS rankings. This achievement, announced in December 2025 and based on data from the prior five years, positions SERI as the second-best institute overall in the field globally. With an impressive portfolio of 5,942 scientific papers published, SERI's ascent highlights Singapore's burgeoning status as a powerhouse in medical innovation, particularly in eye care.

This recognition comes at a pivotal time when eye diseases like myopia, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy are escalating across Asia due to aging populations and lifestyle changes. SERI's success underscores the value of translational research—bridging lab discoveries to clinical applications—that directly benefits patients and shapes global standards in ophthalmology.

Decoding ScholarGPS: Metrics Behind the Rankings

ScholarGPS, an American analytics platform, evaluates research institutions using a multifaceted approach that goes beyond mere publication counts. It assesses scholarly output, citation impact, H-index, and overall influence in specific disciplines like ophthalmology. For SERI, this translated into unmatched performance among non-academic entities, outpacing hospitals and private institutes globally while trailing only a top university in the overall category.

What sets these rankings apart is their focus on recent productivity (last five years), ensuring they reflect current momentum rather than historical volume. SERI's clinicians-scientists have not only produced high-volume research but also work that garners significant citations, influencing peers worldwide. This data-driven validation boosts SERI's credibility for grant applications, partnerships, and talent attraction.

SERI's Evolution: 28 Years of Visionary Growth

Founded in 1997 by the late Professor Arthur Lim, SERI started with just five members as Singapore's national hub for eye research. Today, it boasts over 253 core staff—including clinician-scientists, PhD students, and fellows—plus 260 adjunct faculty from institutions like Duke-NUS Medical School and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. As the research arm of the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), SERI operates across healthcare clusters, making its resources accessible to all Singaporean researchers.

SERI ranks first globally in eye publications per capita, surpassing giants in the US, UK, and Japan. Its faculty has amassed over 1,425 awards and filed 188 patents as of late 2024, fueled by $489 million in competitive grants. This trajectory from a nascent institute to Asia-Pacific's largest eye research center exemplifies strategic national investment in biomedical sciences.

Core Research Pillars Fueling SERI's Dominance

SERI's portfolio spans critical areas tailored to Asian health burdens: diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, myopia, corneal diseases, and dry eye syndrome. Diabetic retinopathy research addresses vision loss in Singapore's high diabetes prevalence (one in nine adults), while myopia studies combat the 'near epidemic' affecting 80-90% of East Asian youth.

Glaucoma efforts focus on early detection and neuroprotection, with the TARGET programme uniting global experts for tech-driven solutions. Emerging frontiers include AI-integrated imaging and digital therapeutics, positioning SERI at the intersection of ophthalmology and tech.

Transformative Innovations Changing Lives

SERI's translational prowess shines in real-world applications. Vabysmo (faricimab), co-developed here, halves injection frequency for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema patients—from monthly to every 3-4 months—improving adherence and quality of life.

Myopine, a low-dose atropine drop, slows childhood myopia progression and is now marketed across Asia and beyond. Devices like the EndoGlide revolutionized corneal transplants (FDA-approved, globally available), while Polarisation-Sensitive OCT provides non-invasive myopia biomarkers. The SELENA+ AI tool screens for diabetic retinopathy in Singapore's national program, preventing blindness at scale.

• Reduced treatment burdens for chronic eye conditions
• AI-driven early diagnostics deployed nationally
• Patented devices enhancing surgical precision

Strategic Collaborations Amplifying Impact

SERI thrives on partnerships. The SONIC 2.0 initiative with Santen ($21 million, launched Dec 2025) targets glaucoma and myopia therapies, building on SONIC 1.0's 13 projects including atropine drops. Ties with Stanford expand retinal datasets for diverse AI models, while Carl Zeiss Meditec aids youth and aging vision tech.

These alliances secure funding, tech transfer, and global trials. For aspiring researchers, they open doors to international networks via fellowships like the SERI Junior Overseas Scientist program.Explore research opportunities in such dynamic ecosystems.

External collaborations extend to licensing: SERI's inventions seek industry partners for commercialization, fostering Singapore's biotech hub status.

Star Researchers Propelling SERI Forward

Individual brilliance bolsters institutional rankings. In 2025 ScholarGPS, five SNEC-SERI experts ranked in ophthalmology's top 20 (top 0.05% globally): Dr. Daniel Shu Wei Ting (#2 overall), among others in AI and retinal imaging. Executive Director Prof. Jodhbir Mehta champions translation: "This validates our mission to deliver patient outcomes."

These leaders mentor PhD students and postdocs, creating a talent pipeline. Their work exemplifies clinician-scientist models blending care and discovery.

Singapore's Higher Education and Research Ecosystem Boost

SERI's feat elevates Singapore's higher ed landscape. Affiliated with Duke-NUS and NUS, it offers PhD programs and adjunct roles, attracting global talent. Amid Asia's eye health crisis, this cements Singapore as a vision research nexus, drawing funding and students.

Implications include enhanced training: SERI's clinics host trials, providing hands-on experience. For universities, it spurs interdisciplinary programs in AI-ophthalmology.

Career Prospects in Ophthalmology Research

The rankings spotlight career goldmines. SERI hires clinician-scientists, fellows, and tech specialists. Singapore's ecosystem offers competitive salaries, grants, and work-life balance. Aspiring pros can leverage SERI's prestige for academic CVs and roles in research assistance.

• PhD fellowships with overseas immersion
• Clinical trial coordinators
• AI developers for eye diagnostics
• Patent commercialization experts

Check Singapore academic jobs for openings.

Looking Ahead: SERI's Roadmap for 2026 and Beyond

Prof. Mehta eyes sustained leadership via AI, gene therapies, and personalized medicine. SONIC 2.0 aims for two clinical-stage treatments; global trials expand reach. Challenges like funding competition persist, but Singapore's Vision 2030 biomedical push supports growth.

Stakeholders—from patients gaining therapies to researchers accessing platforms—benefit. Policymakers view this as a model for non-academic excellence.

Photo by Galen Crout on Unsplash

Why SERI's Success Matters for Global Eye Health

SERI's #1 non-academic ranking signals a shift: hospital-based institutes rival universities in impact. For Asia, tackling myopia (projected 2.5B cases by 2050) demands such hubs. Professionals eyeing higher ed careers or professor roles find inspiration here.

Explore professor ratings or career advice to join this vanguard. SERI proves dedication yields world-class results.