1. Target Audience and Tone

• Audience: Professionals and enthusiasts in ocular science, optometry, ophthalmology, neuroscience, and related fields.
• Tone: Informative, engaging, and professional. Avoid excessive jargon to keep content accessible while being scientifically accurate.
• Language: Use British English consistently throughout.

2. Article Length and Structure

• Ideal Word Count:
  • Standard Articles: 500 words for focused insights.
  • Guest Articles: Flexible up to 1000 words. If exceeding 1000 words, split into two parts (e.g., Part 1 and Part 2), each with a cohesive introduction and conclusion.

• Formatting:
  • Title: Clear, specific, and representative of the content.
  • Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic, state the main theme or purpose, and outline what the reader will learn.
  • Body:
    • Use subheadings to structure main points for easy navigation.
    • Maintain concise paragraphs (3–5 sentences) to enhance readability.
  • Conclusion: Summarise main points, provide final thoughts, or suggest future directions.
  • References: Cite all sources using APA or Vancouver referencing style.

3. Images, Tables, and Figures

• Relevance: Use images, tables, and figures to illustrate key points, show data, or support arguments.
• Quality: Ensure high-resolution visuals. Diagrams, infographics, or charts should be clear and enhance the text.
• Legends: Provide descriptive legends for each figure or table.
• Attribution: Credit all borrowed images or data visuals, with permissions if needed.

4. Content Requirements

• Scientific Accuracy: Back claims with research, studies, or data, ensuring scientific rigour.
• Engagement: Use an engaging narrative, introduce questions, or suggest actionable steps to keep readers interested.
• Keywords: Integrate relevant scientific and industry keywords naturally for SEO.

5. Citations and References

• In-text Citations: Ensure all data, quotes, and factual information are cited properly within the text.
• Reference List: Provide a full reference list at the end, formatted in APA or Vancouver style, depending on the content type.

6. Formatting and Style

• Readability: Use clear, direct sentences. Avoid overly complex structures that might hinder comprehension.
• Lists and Bullet Points: When appropriate, use bullet points to break down complex ideas or processes.
• Consistency: Check for consistent use of terminology, units, and abbreviations throughout.

7. Proofreading and Quality Assurance

• Grammar and Spelling: Ensure British English grammar and spelling accuracy.
• Plagiarism Check: Submit only original work; cite all external ideas or data sources.
• Fact-checking: Verify all scientific facts, statistics, and references to maintain credibility.

8. Submission Process

• File Format: Submit articles in Microsoft Word format.
• Image Files: Provide high-resolution images as separate files if required by the editorial team.
• Author Bio: Include a short author bio (up to 50 words), mentioning relevant credentials and professional experience.

9. Editorial Review

• All submissions undergo a review process to ensure adherence to these guidelines, relevance, and quality.
• Articles may be edited for clarity, grammar, and formatting. Authors will be notified of any significant changes.

Following these guidelines will help ensure your submission meets OCULAR Interface standards and resonates with our professional and scientific readership. Thank you for contributing to OCULAR Interface!