The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (IJCEO) recognizes that authors may request to withdraw manuscripts under certain circumstances. However, manuscript withdrawal must be handled responsibly to protect the integrity of the scientific record and ensure compliance with ethical publishing standards, including those set by COPE.

Withdrawal Before Acceptance

Authors may withdraw their manuscripts freely before editorial acceptance. Such requests must be submitted in writing to the editorial office, stating clear reasons for withdrawal. Withdrawal requests made at this stage carry no penalties.

Withdrawal After Acceptance

Withdrawal after editorial acceptance but before publication is discouraged. If unavoidable, authors must provide a detailed justification. The editorial board reserves the right to approve or deny such requests. Repeated or unjustified withdrawals may result in sanctions, including restrictions on future submissions.

Withdrawal After Online Publication

Retraction Policy

Retractions are issued for:

• Plagiarism or duplicate publication
• Data fabrication or falsification
• Unethical research practices
• Serious errors invalidating findings

Retracted articles remain accessible with a clear retraction notice to preserve the scholarly record.

Article Replacement

In rare cases, an article may be replaced with a corrected version if errors are unintentional and do not involve misconduct. A correction notice will link both versions to maintain transparency.

Legal Removal

Articles may be removed entirely from the website for legal reasons, such as defamation, copyright infringement, or violation of privacy rights. A removal notice will be posted in place of the article.

Author Responsibilities

• Submit withdrawal requests formally via email to the editorial office.
• Provide clear justification for withdrawal or retraction.
• Accept any sanctions for unethical withdrawal practices.

Publisher Responsibilities

• Evaluate withdrawal and retraction requests fairly and transparently.
• Publish correction, retraction, or removal notices as appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with COPE, ICMJE, and global publishing standards.

Withdrawal Charges

If a manuscript is withdrawn after peer review or acceptance, but before publication, processing charges may apply to compensate for editorial and peer review efforts. Authors will be informed of applicable charges before withdrawal is finalized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I withdraw my manuscript after peer review?

Yes, but you must provide valid reasons, and withdrawal charges may apply.

What happens if plagiarism is detected after publication?

The article will be retracted in line with COPE guidelines, and a retraction notice will be issued.

Is article removal possible?

Yes, but only for legal reasons such as defamation or copyright infringement. Removal notices will be publicly posted.