Review of Cornea & Contact Lenses
11 Campus Blvd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Tel: (610) 492-1000

Basics for the Writer

  • Assignments. Review of Cornea & Contact Lenses works on assignment only, but will review unsolicited submissions that fit our needs. If you don't have an assignment, please send an electronic version of your completed manuscript as a word document to [email protected].
  • Deadlines. Submitting assigned work in a timely fashion assures a more thoroughly researched and accurate end product. All assigned work must be submitted by the first of the month two months prior to publication.
  • Artwork. Provide any images and captions along with your manuscript. This gives the editors more flexibility when planning article layouts. Or, e-mail TIFF or JPEG image files to us. If you have artwork ideas that can be generated in-house, please let us know when the work is assigned—before it is submitted.
  • Length. Unless other arrangements are made with the assigning editor, use these guidelines:
    • Clinical and Patient Care features, 2,000-2,500 words.
    • Case Reports, no specified length. Follow Case Reports Style, below.
    • Practice Management features, 1,200-2,000 words.
  • Style. Review of Cornea & Contact Lenses retains its niche by giving optometrists practical information that's easy to read. We do this by couching all prose in a conversational style, and prefer active voice vs. passive. Your editor will work with you to make sure your article adheres to our style without compromising the meaning of your content. Authors have final approval on all manuscripts.
  • Review system. All unedited manuscripts dealing with patient care and case reports are reviewed by our clinical editors, who often recommend revisions in manuscripts.

Checklist for Submitting Clinical Articles

  • Before writing your manuscript, review pertinent literature. Support assertions with references where applicable.
  • Organize information in a chronological order.
  • Include practical information that a practicing O.D. can use.
  • Explore your topic thoroughly. Leave no question unanswered.
  • Provide balanced information. Acknowledge other views that may differ from your own.
  • Include as many hands-on pearls and anecdotes as you can.
  • Include one or two case reports, where applicable.
  • Include a one-page sidebar that explains the business aspects, such as Medicare codes, of the clinical procedure or topic you're writing about.
  • Include a two-sentence biography at the end of the manuscript. If you have a financial interest in a product you're writing about, please disclose that in the article.
  • List references after your biography.
  • Suggest two doctors to referee your manuscript.
  • Include as many photos, illustrations, charts and graphs as you can to illustrate the manuscript. Number them and include corresponding figure legends. Make sure you have permission to print them in the magazine (i.e., that you own the images, that they do not violate HIPAA, and/or that you have written permission from their owner if the images are not yours).
  • Questions? Contact Amy Hellem, Editor-in-Chief, at [email protected].

Guide to Case Report Style

Case reports follow this specific format:

  • Abstract. A brief summary of the case. It typically includes the patient's chief complaint, key diagnostic data, treatment and outcome.
  • History. The patient's chief complaint, any history of prior eye or systemic health problems (and possibly those of the patient's family), current medications and allergies.
  • Diagnostic data. The exam findings, in a chronological sequence, from the front of the eye to the back.
  • Diagnosis. Typically a one-sentence statement.
  • Treatment and follow-up. A discussion of the prescribed therapy and the outcome of follow-up visits.
  • Discussion. Typically includes:
    • A general definition of the ocular disease at hand.
    • Statistics about the prevalence or predilection of the disease.
    • Brief review of any systemic diseases that may accompany the ocular pathology.
    • Rundown of the typical symptoms (the patient's subjective complaints) and signs (clinical findings).
    • Explanation of the proper treatment or referral.
  • Conclusion. A brief wrapup.
  • Bibliography. Style follows guidelines in Lyle WM, Williams TD, Chase WW American Academy of Optometry: A Style Guide. 2nd ed. Bethesda, MD: 1993.

NOTE: You may be asked to revise your article based on the advice of our consulting O.D. editors and referees. This may mean adding information, clarifying references, cleaning up confusing grammar or syntax, etc. We will fax, e-mail or snail mail you a copy of the edited article before it is typeset, and seek your input for final revisions. To facilitate this process, please make sure we can reach you the last week of the month before your article is scheduled for publication.

SUBMIT YOUR MANUSCRIPT


Questions?
Contact Leah Addis, Senior Website Editor
(610) 492-1026
[email protected]

You may address correspondence to:
Review of Optometry
11 Campus Blvd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
or
email us.