Abstract

Background: Research on RNA in diabetic retinopathy (DR) has received increasing attention in recent years. However, there is a lack of comprehensive and systematic research on the current status and future direction of RNA research in DR. Therefore, this study used bibliometric analysis to summarize the global trends and current status of DR RNA research to date. Methods: We searched the Web of Science for studies related to DR RNA research before July 2024 and then used CiteSpace and VOSviewer to generate knowledge visualization maps. Results: A total of 1,103 articles related to RNA research in DR were retrieved. China has the most articles, followed by the USA and Japan. Wayne State University, Nanjing Medical University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University were the three most productive institutions. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science was the most popular journal in this field. Kowluru, Renu A from Wayne State University published the most number of articles. Keyword analysis showed that the research hotspot in this field is the role of miRNAs in apoptosis and neovascularization in DR. Non-coding RNAs and extracellular vesicles are future research trends. Conclusion: The results of this bibliometric study provide information on the current status and trends in the field of RNA research in DR. RNA research could lead to new diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies for DR. Our findings can help researchers understand the current status of RNA research in DR and identify new directions for further research.