Changes for the future.

Recently, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) took a major step forward in strengthening its journals program with the addition of a third title, Translational Vision Science & Technology (TVST). Along with TVST, ARVO’s family of journals now includes Journal of Vision (JOV) and, of course, IOVS. Together, they cover all facets of eye and vision research at the highest standard in the field. ARVO’s Board of Trustees is exploring another step forward: a commitment to open access for IOVS. Like JOV, the new journal, TVST, is free to all immediately upon publication. The aim of the Board is to have all three journals open access in the future, broadening the reach and impact of all the research that ARVO publishes. To keep IOVS strong, another change is necessary. In November, IOVS will introduce a new, simplified pricing structure featuring a flat fee model of $120 per page. As an additional enhancement, authors will now have the option of paying for immediate open access at a reasonable cost, compared to other OA journals ($155/page). We are eliminating other fees, including excess page charges, color charges, revision fees and fees related to figures. Based on the typical charges for our current pricing system, the impact will be minimal for most papers; some will see a small increase while others will see a reduction. The new fee model will simplify the process for authors and prepare the journal for the eventual loss of subscription revenue that will accompany full open access. Beginning November 1, 2013, any new manuscript that is submitted to IOVS will follow the flat fee model. Articles that were submitted earlier in 2013 will work their way through the system as revised manuscripts under the old pricing system. With this restructure, IOVS is moving toward full open access, paving the way for a stronger ARVO journals program.