Tokyo Women's Medical University

School of Medicine

Ophthalmology

Overview

Vision is responsible for more than 80% of the information human obtain. The eye is a small but complex and elaborate system of organs, forming a "small universe". The goal of ophthalmology is to provide patients with better quality visual function. Our Department of Ophthalmology has established a system of medical treatment that covers a wide range of ophthalmologic fields, including vitreoretinal diseases, corneal diseases, cataracts, glaucoma, uveitis, pediatric ophthalmology, and low vision care, and always provides the highest level of medical care. In addition to conventional areas of practice, we are advancing cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment of macular disease, the specialty of Professor Tomohiro Iida, who assumed the position of Director of the Department of Ophthalmology in April 2012. With the aim of reducing blindness in society and improving the quality of patients’ life, we are committed to providing optimal medical care for each and every patient through daily medical care and research on cutting-edge medicine.

Education Details

Based on the current chief professor's belief that ophthalmology is a surgical specialty, we strive to provide young doctors with as many surgical opportunities as possible. Even during their initial training, we actively encourage them to participate in cataract surgery as assistants and in the wet lab (surgical training using pigs' eyes). In the four-year training program for ophthalmology specialists, students who have completed their initial training study ophthalmology physiology, pathology, social medicine, drug treatment, and surgical treatment in order to become ophthalmology specialists. In addition, we aim to develop students into ophthalmologists as well as members of society by providing them with a broad knowledge of the manner in which doctors should treat patients, and of how to explain and obtain consent. In the fourth year of training, the goal is to take the ophthalmologist examination approved by the Japanese Ophthalmological Society and be certified as a specialist in ophthalmology. Thereafter, each student will choose his or her own specialty and aim to become a specialist.

Research Details

(1) Cell biological research on vitreoretinal diseases
① Age-related macular degeneration: Using state-of-the-art non-invasive fundus diagnostic equipment, we are investigating the causes of this disease, which is the leading cause of blindness in people aged 60 years and older, and developing treatment methods for that. We have achieved world-class research results in this field, which have been published in European and American journals.
② Research on prevention of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy: We are conducting research focusing on the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy, particularly the involvement of cytokines, which have attracted attention in recent years, and on the hemodynamics of microvascular flow, with the aim of developing new treatment methods and establishing accurate treatment methods based on the results of this research.
③ Vitreoretinal interface syndrome: We are conducting clinical research on retinal diseases that are caused by the vitreous body, such as macular hole and epiretinal membrane, using a laser image analysis system with a built-in computer.
(2) Clinical investigation of treatment methods for severe allergic conjunctival diseases
The pathophysiology and severity of severe allergic conjunctival diseases such as spring catarrh and atopic keratoconjunctivitis are analyzed using allergy test findings, slit-lamp microscopic findings, and tear fluid findings, with the aim of establishing useful treatment methods using immunosuppressive eye drops and other drugs.
(3) Imaging and histological analysis of factors affecting the stability of the tear fluid layer in dry eye
We are analyzing the factors that affect the lacrimal fluid layer in dry eye by evaluating images taken with a lacrimal fluid oil layer observation device and analyzing various influencing factors such as the myvome gland, eyelid, conjunctiva, and eye drops. We also analyze the results of the image analysis from a histological point of view.

Faculty

Tomohiro Iida
Ichiro Maruko
Kazumi Shinozaki (Tokyo Women’s Medical University,Yachiyo Medical Center)
Taiji Hasegawa

Related links

Research Achievements Database

---