【Yoko Ozawa (Retina Specialist)】iPS Cells and Regenerative Medicine Offer New Hope for Challenging Retinal Diseases: Taking the First Step Together Through Consultation in Japan
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Yoko Ozawa, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Clinical Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Health University
Graduated from Keio University School of Medicine in 1992 and earned her Ph.D. from the same institution. Following her research fellowship at Harvard University, she held key positions including Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Keio University School of Medicine and Director of Ophthalmology at St. Luke's International Hospital. For many years, she has pioneered cutting-edge clinical practice and research integrating retinal diseases with anti-aging medicine. In 2023, she was appointed Professor of Clinical Regenerative Medicine at Fujita Health University School of Medicine, and currently provides advanced ophthalmic care at Fujita Health University Haneda Clinic.
Areas of Expertise: Medical and Surgical Retina
【Background】A Three-Generation Family of Ophthalmologists: How Community Practice Sharpens Clinical Insight
Could you share a bit about your background?
I am originally from Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. My maternal grandfather established an ophthalmology clinic that my mother later took over; it is still operating in our hometown, and I still go there from time to time to help out. My father was also a physician engaged in basic research. Growing up, I would listen to my father talking about basic research to my mother at home, which led me to wonder, even as a child, "How is the human body made?"
Because the clinic was close to our home, whenever I wanted my mother to come home, I would peek in. But she would always wave me away, saying, "No, not now. I am focusing one-on-one with a patient, so you must not interrupt."
I think that was when I first began to grasp the profound sense of responsibility a physician carries. Although the times and medical equipment are entirely different now, the commitment to facing the patient before me with absolute sincerity is something I continue to uphold.
You are active in both local and global medical settings. What are the advantages of being involved in both?
At a university hospital, we only see patients who arrive with referrals. Working in a community hospital, on the other hand, allows me to understand what patients think and feel when they first develop a condition. That serves as a valuable learning experience and helps identify new clinical questions.
Visiting a community hospital a few times a week also lets me see how patients lead their lives after undergoing treatment at a university hospital. When discharging a patient from a specialized hospital, being able to envision their everyday life afterward allows me to provide clear, grounded advice.
【Specialty】The Appeal of Ophthalmology: Managing Everything from Start to Finish, and the Drive to Take on the Irreplaceable Retina
What led you to choose ophthalmology, and specifically the vitreoretinal subspecialty?
My mother being an ophthalmologist was certainly a significant factor in choosing this field. During my student years, though, I went through a rebellious phase and insisted I would never pursue ophthalmology. What ultimately drew me to it was that ophthalmologists can take care of everything related to the eye.
Although the eye is a small organ, it encompasses distinct subspecialties—such as the cornea, cataracts, and retina. Yet, with few exceptions, the fundamental principle is that ophthalmologists handle it all. The fact that the entire scope of care, from medical therapy to surgical intervention, can be completed within ophthalmology felt compelling to me.
I chose to specialize in the retina simply because I thought it was so cool. The retina is the final frontier—it cannot be replaced. That irreplaceable nature made me feel, "I want to take on this challenge; it is up to me to give it everything I have."
After completing my training at Keio University, I learned a wide variety of surgical procedures at Sano Kosei General Hospital in Tochigi Prefecture before returning to Keio University. That was when I focused intensely on retinal treatments, primarily centered on surgery. Equipped with those surgical skills, I was then appointed to Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital, an affiliated hospital of Keio University.
Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital was an environment that demanded efficient, high-volume patient care, and we saw a particularly high number of patients with diabetes. It reached a point where even patients presenting with conjunctivitis or cataracts frequently had underlying diabetes. Since I was dedicating myself to mastering complex surgeries for diabetic retinopathy during that period, it offered me an invaluable amount of clinical experience.
【Reflections】Simply Restoring Anatomical Shape Isn't Enough to Care for Every "Loss of Vision"
Could you share a memorable encounter with a patient who proved pivotal to your career?
It happened while I was actively building my surgical experience. I performed a surgery that went smoothly, and I told the patient, "Everything went well." At first, the patient also said, "I'm so relieved." But as we saw each other over subsequent follow-ups, they opened up about their true feelings: they were not satisfied with how they were actually seeing.
That was the moment I realized restoring anatomical shape alone is not always enough, and that some challenges cannot be resolved through surgery alone.
That experience prompted me to pursue basic research. Through laboratory experiments, I learned that while surgical repair is essential, we also need to consider revitalizing the cells with pharmacological therapy. I remain deeply grateful to that patient for sharing their honest thoughts with me—it shaped the clinician and researcher I am today.
【Ophthalmology in Japan】iPS Cell Researchers Are in a League of Their Own
Could you share your perspective and thoughts on the current landscape and future challenges of ophthalmology in Japan?
There is a growing commitment within Japanese ophthalmology to place strong emphasis on international exchange. The International Affairs Committee within the Japanese Ophthalmological Society has been actively operating for well over a decade. Efforts such as gathering information from abroad and organizing English-language sessions at academic meetings have built up step by step, steering us in a very positive direction. On the surgical and therapeutic front, Japanese clinicians already collaborate closely with global counterparts, so I believe our technical capabilities are well aligned internationally.
Throughout my career, I have also attended prestigious, invitation-only global conferences. Entering those forums gives you direct access to international opinion leaders—allowing you to see how they think, what influences their work, and where global ophthalmology is headed. It has always been an invaluable opportunity to perceive the broader direction of our field.
At the same time, I believe simply mirroring what leading countries or pioneering figures are doing is not enough. We also need to excel along distinct, independent avenues. One of those pivotal areas, in my view, is iPS cell research. The scientists working on iPS cells feel as though they are in a league of their own. Whenever I speak with them, I find myself wishing for even deeper collaboration between these basic researchers and frontline ophthalmic clinicians. I want to serve as that bridge and help bring iPS cell therapies into practical clinical application.
【Regenerative Medicine & iPS Cells】Hope Is Beginning to Emerge, Even for What Once Seemed Impossible
Where do things currently stand with regenerative medicine, particularly iPS cell therapy?
The discovery of iPS cells was truly revolutionary. We have entered an era where possibilities and genuine hope are emerging for conditions once thought beyond reach. After a lengthy period focused primarily on animal models, more than ten years have passed since therapies were first administered in humans. Recently, that progress has visibly accelerated. While systematic steps remain essential, I feel we have drawn remarkably close to practical clinical implementation.
Naturally, these therapies are not yet fully established solutions. We proceed only when patients understand that we, as ophthalmologists, are dedicated to delivering the finest standard of care possible under current science. In many respects, clinicians and patients are still walking this path together as partners. Even so, we are approaching a stage where we can thoughtfully discuss and evaluate surgical indications and treatment timing.
That is why I encourage patients to reach out without hesitation. Hearing real-world concerns—understanding who is struggling with which symptoms, and evaluating whether a developing approach might apply to them—serves as the very catalyst for devising new clinical strategies. While immediate solutions cannot be guaranteed, every consultation deepens our understanding and enables us to take meaningful steps aligned with our patients' hopes.
【About the Hospital】Paying Close Attention to Explanations for Interpreters: Why "Having an In-Person Consultation" Benefits the Patient
What would you highlight as the defining strengths of Fujita Health University Haneda Clinic?
Under Japan's national health insurance system, we can only provide treatments officially recognized as national standards. Even when an ophthalmologist considers an approach beneficial based on a patient's underlying pathology, we cannot always administer it within those boundaries. Our clinic, however, offers a high degree of clinical flexibility. Through private, non-insurance-covered care, our primary focus can remain entirely on what aligns with each patient's individual circumstances.
Some individuals still experience disease progression despite receiving standard therapies. In private medical care, we can integrate supportive treatments alongside primary interventions—for instance, improving local microcirculation for someone whose main pathology is neural.
How do you view the clinic's multilingual support?
Overall, it runs smoothly. We have staff fluent in English, and others in Chinese.
Because I do not speak Chinese myself, I am always mindful of whether clinical details are being conveyed accurately to the patient. If an interpreter attempts to simplify medical concepts without a full clinical grasp, misunderstandings can easily occur. For that reason, I do my best to explain things in a way that non-specialist interpreters can easily understand, ensuring the patient receives an accurate picture of their care.
Our proximity to Haneda Airport is another practical advantage. Many visitors arrive just before their appointment and depart soon after; others conveniently combine their visits with sightseeing in Japan. Beyond the physicians, our administrative team and nursing staff are genuinely welcoming and dedicated.
What message would you most like to share with international patients?
We frequently receive inquiries asking, "Can my condition be treated?" or "What treatment options are available to me?" While I completely understand the desire to clarify everything in advance, email exchanges alone have clear limits. Without detailed clinical data and a proper medical evaluation, it is rarely possible to determine what can realistically be done.
Given the financial investment involved, it is entirely natural to want to minimize unnecessary steps and complete the journey in a single trip. Still, having an actual consultation is essential. An evaluation gives us direct insight into the condition of your eyes and the disease itself, allowing us to determine meaningful pathways forward. Even if a required approach cannot be performed with our immediate in-house setup, seeing the actual need often prompts us to make the necessary arrangements. If traveling to Japan right away is difficult, an online consultation is also an option. Rather than relying solely on email exchanges, having that initial consultation—whether in person or online— benefits the patient.
Fujita Health University Haneda Clinic (Fujita Academy)
Zone A (B1F–3F), HANEDA INNOVATION CITY, 1-1-4 Haneda Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo
※Approximately 3 minutes (1.7 km) from Haneda Airport International Terminal
※Directly connected to Tenkubashi Station (Keikyu Airport Line / Tokyo Monorail)
Clinic Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed: Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays, Certain consultations and health screenings are available on an appointment-only basis.)
