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Harassment in ophthalmology isn’t fading—new data shows it’s just as rampant as five years ago.
A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology on Feb 20 has found that sexual harassment remains widespread in the field, with rates largely unchanged from a previous survey conducted five years ago.
The research, led by Dr. Olivia Killeen (USA) and colleagues, compared responses from ophthalmologists in 2018 and 2023, revealing continued high levels of harassment and gender discrimination.1
Key findings
The cross-sectional survey, conducted via the Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) email list, received responses from 289 ophthalmologists or trainees in the U.S. and Canada.
Among the 2023 respondents, 59.5% reported experiencing sexual harassment—similar to the 59.3% reported in 2018. However, the frequency of recent incidents increased, with 62.2% of those harassed in 2023 experiencing it within the past five years, compared to 47.2% in 2018.1
Reporting rates saw a slight improvement, with 24.1% of 2023 respondents stating they had reported their most severe harassment incident, up from 15.1% in 2018. Despite this increase, the study noted that underreporting remains a significant concern.1
Gender discrimination was also prevalent, with 85% of 2023 respondents stating they had experienced some form of discrimination.1
Implications and reactions
The study suggests that while awareness of sexual harassment in medicine has grown since the #MeToo movement, institutional efforts to combat the issue may not have been sufficient to reduce harassment rates. Ophthalmology trainees, particularly medical students and residents, remained the most common targets, while attending physicians were often cited as perpetrators.1
A JAMA Ophthalmology invited commentary by Dr. Julia A. Haller (USA), published concurrently with the study, highlights broader implications of the survey findings.
She notes that while increased awareness of sexual harassment is a positive development, the persistence of high rates indicates a failure to implement effective interventions. She also points out a shift in perpetrators, with harassment by patients increasing from 44.5% in 2018 to 69.8% in 2023.2
While underreporting remains a concern, Dr. Haller acknowledges that the slight increase in reporting rates observed in the study could indicate progress. She stresses the need for continued efforts to foster a culture of zero tolerance, protect whistleblowers and ensure meaningful consequences for perpetrators.2
Along the same lines, the researchers emphasize the need for more robust strategies to create a safer and more inclusive environment within ophthalmology. They suggest that beyond bystander intervention training, organizations should implement clear reporting mechanisms, protect the identities of those who come forward and hold perpetrators accountable.1
The limitations
The study acknowledges several limitations, including a low response rate (less than 30%), the potential for response bias, and a lack of male and racially diverse participants. Additionally, because the survey was anonymous, researchers could not determine whether the same individuals participated in both the 2018 and 2023 surveys, making direct comparisons challenging.1
The findings underscore that sexual harassment and gender discrimination remain persistent issues in ophthalmology. While some progress has been made in encouraging reporting, rates of harassment have not declined. The researchers call for continued efforts to implement effective anti-harassment initiatives and foster a culture of zero tolerance in the field.1
References
- Killeen OJ, Ding L, Enyedi L, et al. Sexual harassment in ophthalmology. JAMA Ophthalmology. Published online February 20, 2025. Available at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2830480. Accessed on February 21, 2025.
- Haller JA. #MeToo in ophthalmology. JAMA Ophthalmology. Published online February 20, 2025. Available at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2830479. Accessed on February 21, 2025.
