Kazuo Tsubota is professor emeritus of the Department of Ophthalmology at Keio University School of Medicine, his alma mater. An internationally recognized dry eye specialist, Prof. Tsubota has been working on the pathogenesis and treatment of dry eye for much of his career. Prof. Tsubota was the first Japanese recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor Award and is author of more than 700 scientific peer-reviewed articles.
As most ocular diseases are related to aging, Prof. Tsubota began to explore the topic of aging in 1999, and currently focuses on aging and anti-aging research, ranging from the molecular level to clinical applications with a focus on prevention of age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and dry eye.
His latest research activities spotlight myopia due to the myopia boom affecting Japan and East and Southeast Asia. His research focuses on the hypothesis that violet light has a suppressive effect against the progression of myopia and blue light’s role in determining circadian rhythm, mood, and memory. A clinical trial is underway on violet light (VL)-emitting eyeglasses, a product of Tsubota Laboratory, which are commercially available. The VL emitting eyeglasses provide the necessary VL to prevent myopia progression.
More recently, Prof. Tsubota is interested in innovation and entrepreneurship and is director of the innovation program at Keio University which encourages researchers to start venture companies based on their scientific findings. To set an example he established his own company, Tsubota Laboratory, a Keio University-launched startup, which focuses on the clinical application of violet light for the control of myopia as well as dry eye. He has successfully designed and marketed moisture glasses for dry eye which are popular in Japan.
What motivates him is the desire to contribute to a prosperous and long-lived society, reductions in healthcare costs, and above all, improved health and happiness for individuals.