In 2023, the total number of scientific publications in ophthalmology in Belgium stood at 36.57 units. The year-on-year variation was a modest 0.97% compared to 2022. Over the last few years, the trend has shown variability, with significant fluctuations in year-on-year growth rates. The period from 2019 to 2021 witnessed sharp increases, but 2022 saw a notable decline of 25.7%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past 5 years leading to 2023 is approximately 1.6%, reflecting overall slow growth.

Looking forward to the forecasted data from 2024 to 2028, a more stable, incremental growth trajectory is anticipated. By 2028, it's expected that the total number of publications will rise to approximately 38.3 units, marking a 5-year CAGR of 0.74%, with an overall growth rate of 3.74% during the forecast period.

Future trends to watch for:

Technological advancements in ophthalmology that could spur increased research output.
Potential impact of healthcare policy changes on funding and research activities.
International collaborations and their effect on the volume of publications.