Editing the Nepalese Journal of Ophthalmology: a voyage of five years

Until about five years ago, the ophthalmologists of Nepal had to struggle very hard to get their research findings published for dissemination among the members of the scientific community of the world. National data relating to the practice of ophthalmology and development of eye care were either not published or were limited to presentations in conferences or to publications in a local souvenir. The clinical experience of the growing number of Nepalese ophthalmologists could also not be shared with colleagues worldwide. This was, of course, grossly inadequate. But there was a long-cherished dream of launching a journal of ophthalmology in Nepal (Shah, 2009) so that the national scientists and researchers could have an arena for sharing their research findings at the international level. We were convinced that the scientific knowledge and experience had to be incorporated in practice (Ruit, 2009) for which publication of a journal was indispensible.