ObjectiveTo understand the current status, research hotspots, and future trends in the field of retinoblastoma (RB). MethodsUsing the Web of Science Core Collection SSCI and SCI-Expanded as data sources, relevant RB literature from January 2015 to November 2024 was retrieved. The bibliometric analysis software CiteSpace 6.2.R6 was employed to perform visual analyses of countries/regions, institutions, journals, authors, co-cited references, and keywords. ResultsA total of 5 042 relevant publications were identified. Annual publication numbers in this field consistently exceeded 400, peaking at 565 in 2021. The United States contributed the highest number of publications, with 1 600 articles (31.73%). Among institutions, Harvard University ranked first with 167 publications (3.31%). Abramson DH of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center published the most papers (75). Nature (United Kingdom) received the highest citation count (2, 349). The highest betweenness centrality was observed for the United States (0.14) among countries/regions, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (0.21) among institutions, and Berry JL of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (0.21) at the author level. Co-citation and keyword analyses revealed that RB research hotspots are shifting from a focus on basic molecular mechanisms, such as the cell cycle and RB protein, toward advanced therapeutic strategies, such as intra-arterial chemotherapy and nanoparticle-based drug delivery. Emerging keywords such as complexity, chemoresistance and carboplatin indicate that future studies will focus on optimising diagnosis and treatment. ConclusionsFrom 2015 to 2024, RB research displayed a sustained growth trend, with the United States and its institutions and scholars contributing the most publications. The research focus has shifted from the exploration of molecular mechanisms to the optimization of precise treatment strategies, among which the application of nanotechnology and the resolution of drug resistance mechanisms will become key breakthrough directions.