• Vision

It is a particular pleasure professionally and personally to be able to congratulate the British Journal of Ophthalmology on successfully reaching its 100 year anniversary. What a wonderful achievement.

I first learnt about the Journal nearly 50 years ago at the very start of my career in ophthalmology. While the BMJ was called the BMJ, the BJO was The British Journal. I remember with great pride in 1977 when my first paper was published in the BJO. It was also with great pleasure that I served on the Editorial Board for some years in the late 1990s.

The longevity and consistent high quality of the journal is quite outstanding and sets it apart from many other publications. Over the years for different reasons, I have delved back into time exploring old issues of the BJO from the 1910s and the 1930s where the evolution of the understanding of eye disease and the development of ophthalmology is so well chronicled.

Today, the Journal continues to provide top quality reports of cutting edge advancements in the science and treatment of eye disease, and notably includes a wide range of papers that relate to the provision of eye care including issues in developing areas as well. Maybe this is a legacy of the Empire and Commonwealth perspective and concern, but it benefits the whole world.

We all recognise the tremendous changes that are occurring with the digital age and this is as clearly apparent in the publication of high quality scientific journals as it is in other areas. The shape and structure of the BJO in another 100 years is hard to guess, but I have no doubt it will build on the success of its first century and maintain its high quality, high relevance and broad representation.

Let me extend my warmest congratulations to the journal and all its staff and to all those who have contributed in so many diverse ways over the years to enable this great milestone to be reached. Well done!