JAMA Network · Ophthalmology

JAMA Ophthalmology: acceptance rate, review time, and how to prepare

In 2025, JAMA Ophthalmology received 2,874 manuscripts and accepted 10% overall and 7% of research manuscripts. The median first decision took 2 d without peer review and 38 d with it. Every figure below is quoted from the journal's own Year in Review editorials (2023–2025) and instructions for authors, captured 2026-11-10.

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Sources: 3 annual editorials · instructions for authors · Scimago 2024
2,874
Manuscripts received, 2025
1,633 research
10%
Acceptance rate, 2025
7% research
2 d
First decision without review, median
2025
38 d
First decision with review, median
2025
Acceptance rate

What is JAMA Ophthalmology’s acceptance rate?

The journal publishes the answer itself. Its 2025 Year in Review editorial reports 2,874 manuscripts received, 1,633 of them research manuscripts, with an overall acceptance rate of 10% and a research acceptance rate of 7%. Across 2023–2025 the research acceptance rate moved from 8% to 7% while submissions rose 28%.

YearAll manuscripts receivedResearch manuscripts receivedAcceptance, overallAcceptance, researchSource
20252,8741,63310%7%JAMA Ophthalmology—The Year in Review, 2025: Initiatives Hitting Their Stride
20242,2301,48012%7%JAMA Ophthalmology—The Year in Review 2024: The Power of the JAMA Network
20232,2371,37815%8%JAMA Ophthalmology—The Year in Review, 2023
Timelines

How long does JAMA Ophthalmology take to reach a decision?

Median days, as published by the journal. 'Without peer review' is the editorial-triage decision; 'with peer review' is the decision after external review.
YearFirst decision, no reviewFirst decision, with reviewReviewer turnaroundAcceptance to publicationReceipt to publication
20252 d38 d13 d72 d149 d
20243 d35 d13 d65 d131 d
20233 d34 d14 d58 d119 d
2025 Journal Impact Factor as printed in the editorial's table (row "2025 Journal Impact Factor"): 9.2
2024 Journal Impact Factor as printed in the editorial's table (row "2023 Journal Impact Factor"): 8
2023 Journal Impact Factor as printed in the editorial's table (row "2023 Journal Impact Factor"): 8.1
JAMA Network peers, latest published year
JournalYearReceivedAcceptance, overallAcceptance, researchNo reviewWith review
JAMA Ophthalmology20252,87410%7%2 d38 d
JAMA202511,52610.4%3.9%2.1 d25 d
JAMA Internal Medicine20254,17812%4%1 d35 d
JAMA Network Open202520,2339.9%—2 d49 d
JAMA Pediatrics20253,32510%5%3 d44 d
JAMA Surgery20253,3219%5%10 d40 d
JAMA Dermatology20253,4137%7%3 d36 d
JAMA Cardiology20252,7939%5%8 d51 d
JAMA Neurology20253,2216%5%4 d35 d
JAMA Psychiatry20252,7258%5%2 d31 d
JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery20251,73014%10%8 d50 d
JAMA Oncology20253,7388%4%3 d33 d
Other top ophthalmology journals in our 49-journal survey
Trend

How has it changed?

+28%
Manuscripts received, 2023 to 2025
2,237 → 2,874
8% → 7%
Research acceptance rate, 2023 to 2025
34 → 38 d
First decision with review, 2023 to 2025
Rejection

What gets papers rejected at JAMA Ophthalmology?

The Year in Review editorials publish volumes, rates and timelines; they do not itemize reasons for rejection. This is the general evidence, cited.
statistics #1

In a content analysis of 151 medical-education manuscripts, the top reasons for rejection were inappropriate or incomplete statistics, overinterpretation of results, and inappropriate or suboptimal instrumentation. [12][14]

44–76%

Lack of new or useful knowledge was the most common reason for rejection at AJR, accounting for 44–76% of rejections in every country. [3]

2.58 of 9

BMJ reviewers found an average of 2.58 of nine major errors deliberately inserted into a test paper; training raised this only to about 3. [18]

Before you submit

What JAMA Ophthalmology requires.

From the journal's instructions for authors, captured 2026-11-10. Instructions change; verify on the journal's page before submitting.
Original Investigation requirements
  • 3000 words of text for an Original Investigation
  • No more than 5 tables and/or figures
  • Structured abstract
  • Key Points
  • Data Sharing Statement
  • Follow EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines
  • Study Type declaration
Reporting guidelines the journal names
  • EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines ("Follow EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines", listed for each research category)
  • CONSORT flow diagram for randomized clinical trials
  • PRISMA-style flow diagram as an online supplement for systematic reviews
  • Named on the page: CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, MOOSE, STARD, TRIPOD, CHEERS, SQUIRE, SRQR, COREQ, STREGA, SPIRIT, AAPOR, TREND
Cover letter: Required, with complete contact information for the corresponding author and a statement of whether related papers have been published, posted or submitted.

What are JAMA Ophthalmology’s word limits by article type?

Printed limits from the journal’s instructions for authors, captured 2026-11-10. Only the categories listed there under these names are shown.
Article typeLimits and required elements
Original Investigation3000 words · ≤5 tables and/or figures · Structured abstract · Key Points · Data Sharing Statement · Study Type · Follow EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines
Brief Report1200 words · 15 references · ≤3 tables and/or figures · Structured abstract · Key Points · Study Type · Data Sharing Statement · Follow EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines
Research Letter800 words · ≤10 references · ≤2 small tables and/or figures · Study Type · No Abstract or Key Points · Supplement allowed only for brief additional Methods · Data Sharing Statement · Follow EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines
Systematic Review (without meta-analysis)3000 words · 50-75 references · ≤5 tables and/or figures · Subtitle should be "A Systematic Review" · Structured abstract · Key Points · Follow EQUATOR Reporting Guidelines
Narrative Review2000-3500 words · 50-75 references · ≤5 tables and/or figures · 3-part structured abstract · No Key Points · Subtitle should be "A Review"
Viewpoint1200 words (or 1000 words with 1 small table or figure) · ≤7 references at submission · ≤4 authors, with no more than 2 affiliations per author
Special Communication3000 words · 50 references · ≤4 tables and/or figures · Structured abstract
Letter to the Editor400 words · ≤5 references (1 of which should be to the recent article) · ≤3 authors
Preparing a manuscript for JAMA Ophthalmology?

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Sources

Where every number on this page comes from.

  1. Bressler NM. JAMA Ophthalmology—The Year in Review, 2025: Initiatives Hitting Their Stride. Published online March 19, 2026; JAMA Ophthalmol. 2026;144(5):375–377. JAMA Ophthalmology—The Year in Review, 2025: Initiatives Hitting Their Stride (captured 2026-11-10).
  2. Bressler NM. JAMA Ophthalmology—The Year in Review 2024: The Power of the JAMA Network. Published online March 20, 2025; JAMA Ophthalmol. 2025;143(5):371–372. JAMA Ophthalmology—The Year in Review 2024: The Power of the JAMA Network (captured 2026-11-10).
  3. Bressler NM. JAMA Ophthalmology—The Year in Review, 2023. Published online March 21, 2024; JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(5):405–406. JAMA Ophthalmology—The Year in Review, 2023 (captured 2026-11-10).
  4. JAMA Ophthalmology. Instructions for Authors. jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/pages/instructions-for-authors (captured 2026-11-10).
  5. Scimago Journal Rank, 2024 edition: SJR 2.288, Q1, H-index 228, ISSN 21686173, 21686165.

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