Objective: To compare the citation characteristics of the case reports and the case series versus the other study designs of articles published, in 2008-2009, in Brazilian journals of ophthalmology indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). Methods: This study was a systematic review. Original articles were identified by review of documents published at the two Brazilians ophthalmology journals indexed at SCIE ("Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia" and "Revista Brasileira de Oftalmologia"). All documents ("articles" and "reviews") listed at SCIE from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009 were included, except: "editorial materials"; "corrections"; "letters"; and "biographical items". The outcomes were the distributions, the number of citations (through the end of second year after publication date), the mean of the number of citations, and the likelihood of citation (cited at least once vs. no citation), according the study design of the article. Results: The search at the Web of Science revealed 382 articles. The distribution of articles according to study design was: Case Reports 106 articles (27.7%) Case Series 50 (13.1%), Sectional Studies 92 (24.1%), Clinical Trials, Phase I or Phase II 40 (10.5%), Clinical Trials, Phase III or Phase IV 29 (7.6%), Non-Systematic Reviews 33 (8.6%) and Experimental Studies 32 (8.4%). The citation count was statistically lower (P < .001) in the Case Reports/Case Series (0.55 - SD 1.05) compared with the others study designs (1.04 - SD 1.63). The likelihood citation was statistically lower (P < .001) in the Case Reports/Case Series (49/156 - 31.4%) compared with the others study designs (110/226 - 48.7%). Conclusion: Case reports and case series showed lower number of citations and likelihood citation than others study designs. The results of this study suggest that the editorial boards should publish only original or very rare Case Reports / Case Series with clinical significance or implications. This effort will bring benefits to the researcher, to the ophthalmologist who is looking for updating, and to the journal itself