After seven immensely rewarding years as Editor-in-Chief of Eye, the time has come for me to step down and reflect on a journey marked by growth, collaboration, and shared purpose. It has been a profound privilege to work alongside a global community dedicated to advancing ophthalmic science and care.

When I assumed this role, Eye was already a respected journal within ophthalmology. Over the past seven years, however, it has transformed into a truly global platform for high-quality, impactful research. Today, the journal receives more than 200 submissions each month, reflecting not only its increasing visibility but also the trust the ophthalmic community places in Eye as a home for rigorous and relevant science.

One of the most gratifying aspects of this journey has been the growing diversity of our authorship. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to Eye during my tenure. Submissions now originate from across the world, encompassing a wide range of clinical, scientific, and geographic perspectives. This diversity has enriched the journal immeasurably and strengthened its relevance to an international readership.

Equally important has been the expansion and diversification of our editorial board and reviewer community. Building a broad, inclusive, and expert editorial community has been central to maintaining rigorous peer review while embracing new ideas and approaches. The commitment, insight, and generosity of our editors and reviewers have been fundamental to the journal’s success, and I am deeply grateful for their contributions.

My sincere thanks also go to the managing editorial team, whose professionalism, dedication, and unwavering support made the day-to-day running of Eye possible and underpinned everything we achieved together. I also truly appreciate the guidance, expertise, and partnership of the team at Springer Nature throughout this journey.

These collective efforts have translated into measurable achievements. Eye has progressed steadily on its journey towards a higher impact factor and is now ranked 16th among Q1 ophthalmology journals. The journal has surpassed five million downloads, underscoring its reach and relevance, while Altmetric engagement has increased significantly, reflecting wider clinical and societal impact beyond traditional citations.

Innovation has been another defining feature of this period. We have expanded the number of special issues focusing on recent advances across multiple fields of ophthalmology, providing timely and authoritative insights. The introduction of plain language summaries has improved accessibility and transparency, while invited reviews have strengthened Eye’s role as an educational and reference resource for the ophthalmic community.

Throughout this time, we ensured that Eye remained a strong exemplar of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ core values of improvement, inclusion, innovation, and integrity.

As I step down, I do so with confidence and optimism. Eye is leaving my stewardship in the excellent hands of Professor Harminder Dua, supported by a strong editorial structure, dedicated reviewers, and a vibrant community of authors and readers. I am immensely proud of the distinguished legacy we have achieved together and look forward to witnessing Eye continue to flourish in the years ahead.

Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to Eye during my tenure. It has been an honour to serve as Editor-in-Chief, and I remain a committed supporter of the journal’s future success.