Dr. Rohit Varma, Chief Medical Officer of CHA HPMC and Founding Director of Southern California Eye Institute, has recently been appointed to the Editorial Board of the prestigious Journal of Glaucoma. Dr. Varma’s new role on the board signifies his wealth of experience and dedication to advancing glaucoma research and treatment. We interviewed Dr. Varma to learn about this role and the contributions he aims to make as a key member of the journal’s editorial team.

Tell us about your recent appointment to the Journal of Glaucoma Editorial Board. How did it come about and what motivated you to take on this role?

It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve in this role to help guide and shape the literature in Glaucoma. Dr. Neeru Gupta, Editor-in-Chief of the journal, invited me to serve on the editorial board. The editorial board includes some of the most prestigious physician-scientists in our field.

What responsibilities and duties does a member of the Editorial Board entail? How do they contribute to the overall functioning and reputation of the journal?

The editorial board assists the Editor-in-Chief in making decisions regarding the suitability for publication of manuscripts submitted by researchers and clinicians from around the world. The quality of these papers, which are published by the journal, determine its prestige. The higher the quality of the science published, the higher the citation index of the journal. This high citation index drives the reputation and prestige of the journal.

How do you stay updated with the latest developments and advancements in your field of expertise to make informed decisions in this role?

The key to staying updated is to be a voracious reader of various journals, attend scientific meetings that serve as forums for presenting new ideas, and continue conducting one’s own research to bring new science to publication.

How does being on the Editorial Board impact your own professional development and knowledge in your field?

Serving on the editorial board provides access to and knowledge of new and developing ideas in the field. It also encourages one to read more and learn more.

What advice would you give to aspiring researchers who aim to publish their work in reputable peer-reviewed journals? Are there any specific guidelines or best practices they should be aware of?

The key to publishing work is conduct good science and be very precise when writing and discussing ideas. It’s important to carefully read previous published works in the field and learn from them regarding how to present research ideas and observations. There are some excellent guidelines for publishing scientific articles, one of the most utilized being those published by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. You can find them at this link: https://www.icmje.org/recommendations.