Eye (2002) 16, 1

In my youth, I would gather around the record player with my friends and listen to the melancholy, discordant tones of Bob Dylan as he sang of change and revolution. He would repeatedly remind us that the times they were a-changing and warn us that if we didn’t start swimming we’d sink like a stone. Prophetic words indeed, and still pertinent today where change seems to happen with ever-increasing pace. In the field of medical publishing the times are constantly changing. Over the past decade there has been a steady increase in the number of medical journals; indeed it seems that almost every week I open my mail to find a flyer introducing yet another specialist journal. It seems only a matter of time before we shall witness the birth of journals with intriguing titles such as: Pars Plana, Descemetocoele, Schlemm’s Canal or even Rhexis. Furthermore, with the advent of electronic publishing, we are witnessing a revolution in how information is disseminated to the readership. Indeed, this has led to some authorities actually questioning the continuing existence of medical journals in paper format: although it is perhaps a little premature for trees world wide to start celebrating just yet.

When I was appointed as the editor of Eye, I was naturally keen to make changes to the journal. A new editorial board, a new reviewing policy and the inevitable new cover soon followed my appointment. Whilst these changes hopefully had a positive impact on the journal, the newly formed editorial board and I recognized that further, more fundamental changes were necessary to the journal if was not to sink like the proverbial stone. We also realized that such changes could not be accomplished in isolation: we needed help! We are delighted that help has now arrived in the form of a partnership with Nature Publishing Group. As editor, I’m excited by the prospect of this new venture, which will bring considerable benefits to the journal. Electronic submission and review, together with a ‘seamless’ production process will hopefully significantly reduce the publication time. The availability of the journal in electronic format on the NPG website will create a greater visibility internationally and promote easier access for all. Further change is anticipated in the future and we are confident that this partnership will facilitate the development of Eye as a monthly journal instead of its present bimonthly format.

Ultimately, of course, the success of a journal lies not with the colour of its cover, but with the quality of its content. Over the years Eye has been fortunate to receive a continuing supply of high quality manuscripts. I should like to take this opportunity to thank all those authors for submitting the results of their work to this journal. It is my hope that this new venture will encourage, not only existing authors, but also new ones to submit their work to Eye. The ‘green journal’ has become a little more green of late and I hope it will continue to blossom.