SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article
Front. Med.
Sec. Ophthalmology
Mapping the Intellectual Landscape and Emerging Trends of Retinitis Pigmentosa Research
Li Xiao 1
Lixuan Tang 1
Min Ai 1
Yi-Jing Yang 1
Ying Deng 1
Jing Lu 1
Yasha Zhou 1
Jing Xiong 2
Qinghua Peng 1
1. Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
2. Yueyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yueyang, China
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Abstract
Purpose: To visualize the intellectual landscape of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) research, delineate recent advancements, identify emerging trends, and provide insights into future developments. Methods: A bibliometric analysis of RP-related publications indexed in Web of Science and PubMed (up to December 12, 2024) using CiteSpace and VOSviewer. Key visualization dimensions included annual publication volume, highly cited literature, and keyword distribution, providing a foundation for future research directions. Results: Analysis of 8,121 publications delineated four evolutionary stages: initial epidemiological characterization, foundational genetic studies, a shift toward clinical trials, and recent therapeutic innovation. Early research centered on pathogenesis, while contemporary efforts are predominantly treatment-oriented. The field is now highly interdisciplinary, with synergies among genetics, bioengineering, nanomedicine, and artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics driving progress. Keyword burst analysis revealed persistent research interests through 2024, including "natural history", "optical coherence tomography angiography", "case report", "retinal organoid", and "cell death". Furthermore, "gene therapy" and "oxidative stress" were identified as prominent and rapidly evolving research topics. Conclusions: RP research is rapidly advancing, prioritizing treatment approaches. The convergence of diverse scientific disciplines has significantly accelerated the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Notably, gene therapy and antioxidant-based interventions exhibit substantial promise, especially when employed in a synergistic manner, offering a promising avenue for future breakthroughs in RP treatment.
Summary
Keywords
Bibliometrics, Gene Therapy, Oxidative Stress, Retinitis Pigmentosa, visual analysis
Received
05 November 2025
Accepted
03 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Xiao, Tang, Ai, Yang, Deng, Lu, Zhou, Xiong and Peng. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Li Xiao; Qinghua Peng
Disclaimer
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