Purpose: To investigate the frequency of citation and quotation errors in the ophthalmic literature.
Design: Analysis of 200 references from 100 papers published in 10 ophthalmic journals.
Methods: A sample of 20 references was randomly selected from each of the 10 journals and each reference was checked for accuracy. Quotations were categorized as totally, partially, or not accurate.
Results: There were 35 citation errors in 32 references, only four of which were errors in PubMed. Thirty quotations of references were not accurate; 20 were partially accurate.
Conclusions: Citation and quotation errors are relatively common within the ophthalmic literature. This may be improved through technical editing.