kenji kashiwagi | University of Yamanashi (original) (raw)

Papers by kenji kashiwagi

British Journal of Ophthalmology, Mar 1, 2003

Aim: To investigate the effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ophthalmic solu... more Aim: To investigate the effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ophthalmic solution on latanoprost induced intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction using normal volunteers. Methods: This study was conducted as a prospective and observer masked clinical trial. 13 normal volunteers were enrolled. After measurement of basal IOP and ophthalmic examination, latanoprost ophthalmic solution was initially administered to both eyes once daily. Four weeks later, an NSAID ophthalmic solution, sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl) phenylacetate sesquihydrate (refer to bromfenac sodium hydrate), was co-administered to one randomly selected eye (NSAID group) twice daily for 2 weeks. The other eye was employed as a control (non-NSAID group). After withdrawal of the NSAID ophthalmic solution, latanoprost ophthalmic solution was continuously administered for another 2 weeks and was then withdrawn. After a 4 week washout, only bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution was administered to the eyes of the NSAID group for 2 weeks. During the study period, ophthalmic examination, including IOP measurement was performed in an observer masked fashion. Results: Before initiation of bromfenac sodium hydrate, baseline IOPs of the non-NSAID group and the NSAID group were 15.73 (SD 1.97) mm Hg and 15.86 (2.06) mm Hg, respectively (p=0.88). Although latanoprost ophthalmic solution significantly reduced IOP in both groups, co-administration of bromfenac sodium hydrate significantly inhibited latanoprost induced IOP reduction compared with the non-NSAID group. The IOPs of the non-NSAID and NSAID groups were 10.18 (1.17) mm Hg and 11.63 (1.35) mm Hg with a 2 week co-administration, respectively (p <0.01). Withdrawal of bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution diminished the difference between the two groups. Re-administration of bromfenac sodium ophthalmic solution only did not affect IOP. Conclusion: These results indicate that NSAID ophthalmic solution may interfere with IOP reduction by latanoprost ophthalmic solution in normal volunteers and that we should take this into account when treating patients with glaucoma using latanoprost ophthalmic solution.

Medicine, Dec 2, 2022

Rationale: Drusen are precursor lesions to advanced age-related macular degeneration. Although cu... more Rationale: Drusen are precursor lesions to advanced age-related macular degeneration. Although cuticular drusen are located between the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane, as are conventional drusen, they possess unique characteristics that are distinct from those of conventional drusen on clinical presentations. Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a rare complication in eyes with cuticular drusen. Patient concern: A 58-years-old man was referred to our institute for the treatment of persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) in both eyes. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed focal SRF that did not involve the central macula of the right eye and SRF in the central macula of the left eye. Fluorescein angiography exhibited focal leakage corresponding to SRF and hyperfluorescence resembling a “stars in the sky” appearance in both eyes. On initial presentation, the best-corrected visual acuity values were 1.2 and 0.9 in the right and left eye decimal formats, respectively. Diagnosis: Cuticular drusen presenting with CSC in both eyes. Interventions: No treatment was administered for CSC in the right eye, whereas photodynamic therapy was administered for CSC in the left eye. Outcomes: At the 6-month visit, extrafoveal SRF persisted in the right eye and resolved in the left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.9 to 1.2 in the decimal format in the left eye. Lessons: Although cuticular drusen presenting with CSC are rare, physicians should be aware of the possibility of CSC development in eyes with cuticular drusen.

Scientific Reports, Dec 1, 2022

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is characterized by a progressive optic neuropathy with visual... more Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is characterized by a progressive optic neuropathy with visual field loss. To investigate the genetic variants associated with visual field loss in POAG, Japanese POAG patients (n = 426) and control subjects (n = 246) were genotyped for 22 genetic variants predisposing to POAG that can be classified into those associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation (IOPrelated genetic variants) and optic nerve vulnerability independent of IOP (optic nerve-related genetic variants). The genetic risk score (GRS) of the 17 IOP-related and five optic nerve-related genetic variants was calculated, and the associations between the GRS and the mean deviation (MD) of automated static perimetry as an indicator of the severity of visual field loss and pattern standard deviation (PSD) as an indicator of the focal disturbance were evaluated. There was a significant association (Beta = − 0.51, P = 0.0012) between the IOP-related GRS and MD. The severity of visual field loss may depend on the magnitude of IOP elevation induced by additive effects of IOP-related genetic variants. A significant association (n = 135, Beta = 0.65, P = 0.0097) was found between the optic nerverelated, but not IOP-related, GRS and PSD. The optic nerve-related (optic nerve vulnerability) and IOPrelated (IOP elevation) genetic variants may play an important role in the focal and diffuse visual field loss respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show an association between additive effects of genetic variants predisposing to POAG and glaucomatous visual field loss, including severity and focal/diffuse disturbance of visual field loss, in POAG. Glaucoma is characterized by a chronic progressive optic neuropathy with corresponding and characteristic patterns of visual field loss. In most cases, glaucomatous visual field loss is initially localized in the nasal or in the arcuate region and as the disease progresses, the focal loss becomes wider, deeper, and more numerous. Finally, some cases become blind even while they are receiving therapy. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) represents the most prevalent form of glaucoma, and clinically, intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and myopia are reported to be risk factors for optic nerve damage in POAG 1. Additionally, a positive family history of glaucoma is a major risk factor for POAG 1-6 , and genetic factors are therefore considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of POAG. Genetic analyses, including genome-wide association study (GWAS), have recently identified genetic variants predisposing to POAG 7-28 .

Scientific Reports, Jun 22, 2022

To investigate the differences in clinical and genetic characteristics between males and females ... more To investigate the differences in clinical and genetic characteristics between males and females with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Consecutive 302 patients (mean age; 56.3 ± 11.7, male/female: 249/53) with CSC were evaluated on the initial presentation. All CSC patients underwent fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography (FA/ICGA), swept-source or spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) to confirm a diagnosis. All patients were genotyped for rs800292 and rs1329428 variants of CFH using TaqMan technology. On the initial presentation, female patients were significantly older (p = 2.1 × 10-4 , female 61.6 ± 12.4 vs male 55.1 ± 11.3) and had thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness (p = 3.8 × 10-5) and higher central retinal thickness (p = 3.0 × 10-3) compared to males. A descending tract was more frequently seen in males than in females (p = 8.0 × 10-4 , 18.1% vs 0%). Other clinical characteristics were comparable between the sexes. The risk allele frequency of both variants including CFH rs800292 and CFH rs1329428 was comparable between males and females (CFH rs800292 A allele male 51.2% vs female 47.2%, CFH rs1329428 T allele male 56.2% vs 52.8%). On the initial presentation, age, subfoveal choroidal thickness and central retinal thickness differ between males and females in eyes with CSC. A descending tract may be a strong male finding in CSC.

Medicine, Oct 22, 2021

Rationale: Brolucizumab is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent with clinical tr... more Rationale: Brolucizumab is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent with clinical trials demonstrating excellent efficacy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in both visual and anatomic outcomes. However, there is concern of intraocular inflammation (IOI), and we propose concurrent subtenon triamcinolone acetonide (STTA) to prevent IOI. Patient concern: A 73-year-old man was treated with aflibercept for neovascular AMD in his right eye. Despite 11 months of monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections, optical coherence tomography demonstrated persistent exudation. Ten days following his second brolucizumab injection, the patient presented with decreased vision due to vitritis in his right eye Diagnosis: Brolucizumab-related IOI in neovascular AMD refractory to aflibercept. Interventions: A combination therapy involving of intravitreal brolucizumab and STTA Outcomes: The anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor was changed back to aflibercept; however, exudation persisted. Therefore, a combination therapy involving STTA (5 mg/0.5 mL) and intravitreal injection of brolucizumab (6.0 mg/0.05 mL) was performed to treat the exudation and as prophylaxis to recurrent IOI. Combination therapy achieved no recurrent IOI and resolution of exudation with 8-week treatment intervals. Lessons: This case might indicate that STTA is not only an optimal treatment option for brolucizumab-related IOI but also a preventive agent for this condition.

American Journal of Ophthalmology, Jul 1, 2020

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jun 16, 2013

BMJ Open, Mar 1, 2016

The contributions of highly correlated cardiovascular risk factors to intraocular pressure (IOP) ... more The contributions of highly correlated cardiovascular risk factors to intraocular pressure (IOP) are not clear due to underlying confounding problems. The present study aimed to determine which metabolic syndrome parameters contribute to elevating IOP and to what extent. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: A private healthcare centre in Japan. Participants: Individuals who visited a private healthcare centre and underwent comprehensive medical checkups between April 1999 and March 2009 were included (20 007 in the cross-sectional study and 15 747 in the longitudinal study). Primary and secondary outcome measures: Changes in IOP were evaluated in terms of ageing and changes in metabolic syndrome parameters. Pearson's correlation coefficients and mixed-effects models were used to examine the relationship of changes in IOP with ageing and changes in metabolic syndrome parameters in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, respectively. Results: In the cross-sectional study, IOP was negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, triglyceride levels, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels. In the longitudinal multivariate analysis, the associated IOP changes were −0.12 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with male sex; −0.59 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 10 years of ageing; +0.42 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 1 mmol/L increase in HDL-C levels; +0.092 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 1 mmol/L increase in triglyceride levels; +0.090 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 10 mm Hg increase in SBP; +0.085 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 10 mm Hg increase in DBP; and+0.091 (p<0.0001) mm Hg with 1 mmol/L increase in FPG levels. Conclusions: Elevation of IOP was related to longitudinal worsening of serum triglyceride levels, blood pressure and FPG and improvement in serum HDL-C levels.

Journal of Clinical Investigation, Nov 1, 2022

Normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by retinal ganglion cell (... more Normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death leading to cupping of the optic nerve head and visual field loss at normal intraocular pressure (IOP). The pathogenesis of NTG remains unclear. Here, we describe a single nucleotide mutation in exon 2 of the methyltransferase like 23 (METTL23) gene identified in a three-generation Japanese NTG family. This mutation caused METTL23 mRNA aberrant splicing, which abolished normal protein production and altered subcellular localization. Mettl23 knock-in (Mettl23 +/G & Mettl23 G/G) and knockout (Mettl23 +/-& Mettl23-/-) mice developed a glaucoma phenotype without elevated IOP. METTL23 is a histone arginine methyltransferase expressed in murine and macaque RGCs. However, the novel mutation reduced Mettl23 expression in RGCs of Mettl23 G/G mice, which recapitulated both clinical and biological phenotypes. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that Mettl23 catalyzed the dimethylation of H3R17 in the retina, and was required for the transcription of pS2, an estrogen receptor α target gene that was critical to RGC homeostasis through the negative regulation of NF-κB-mediated TNF-α/IL-1β feedback. These findings suggest an etiologic role of METTL23 in NTG with tissue-specific pathology.

Scientific Reports, Apr 28, 2020

In the present study, we investigated the association between susceptible genetic variants to age... more In the present study, we investigated the association between susceptible genetic variants to agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) and response to as-needed intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) therapy for exudative AMD including both typical neovascular AMD and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) over 12-months. A total of 234 patients with exudative AMD were initially treated with 3 monthly IAI and thereafter as-needed IAI over 12 months. Seven variants of 6 genes including ARMS2 A69S (rs10490924), CFH (I62V:rs800292 and rs1329428), C2-CFB-SKIV2L(rs429608), C3 (rs2241394), CETP (rs3764261) and ADAMTS-9 (rs6795735) were genotyped for all participants using TaqMan technology. After adjusting for age, gender, baseline BCVA and AMD subtype, A (protective) allele of C2-CFB-SKIV2L rs429608 was associated with visual improvement at 12-month (p = 0.003). Retreatment was associated with T(risk) allele of ARMS2 A69S (P = 2.0 × 10 −4 ; hazard ratio: 2.18:95%CI: 1.47-3.24) and C(risk) allele of CFH rs1329428 (P = 2.0 × 10 −3 ; hazard ratio: 1.74:95%CI: 1.16-2.59) after adjusting for the baseline confounders. The need for additional injections was also associated with t allele of ARMS2 A69S (P = 1.0 × 10 −5) and c allele of CFH rs1329428 (P = 3.0 × 10 −3) after adjusting for the baseline confounders. The variants of ARMS2 and CFH are informative for both physicians and patients to predict recurrence and to quantify the need for additional injections.

Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology

British Journal of Pharmacology, 2021

Background and PurposeGlaucoma, the leading cause of blindness, damages the retinal ganglion cell... more Background and PurposeGlaucoma, the leading cause of blindness, damages the retinal ganglion cells. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a high‐risk factor for glaucoma, so topical hypotensive drugs are usually used for treatment. Because not all patients do not respond adequately to current treatments, there is a need to identify a new molecular target to reduce IOP. Here, we have assessed the role of P2Y1 receptors in mediating elevated IOP.Experimental ApproachP2Y1 receptor agonist was instilled into the eyes of mice, and the IOP changes were measured by a rebound‐type tonometer. Expression of P2Y1 receptors was estimated by immunohistochemistry. Ocular function was measured by a multifocal electroretinogram.Key ResultsA single dose of the P2Y1 receptor agonist transiently reduced IOP and such effects were absent in P2Y1 receptor‐deficient (P2Y1KO) mice. P2Y1 receptors were functionally expressed in the ciliary body, trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal. Activation of P2...

Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology, Sep 23, 2022

In 2017, the Japanese Ophthalmological Society (JOS) created the Japan Ocular Imaging (JOI) regis... more In 2017, the Japanese Ophthalmological Society (JOS) created the Japan Ocular Imaging (JOI) registry, a national database of images and clinical data in the field of ophthalmology in Japan. The JOI registry automatically transfers the information stored in the electronic medical records of each institution to the cloud storage governed by the JOS. This process adheres to Japanese laws and regulations such as the Act on the Protection of Personal Information and the relevant laws of Japan, the Ethical Guidelines for Medical and Biological Research Involving Human Subjects, and the Medical Information System Security Management Guideline of Japan. The JOI registry works closely with academia in ophthalmology, as well as the Japan Association for Medical Informatics, the Japan Ophthalmic Instrument Association, and manufacturers of ophthalmic medical devices. The collected data will be used in studies and surveys to improve the quality of ophthalmic care. The JOI registry has been created as a common asset for the entire ophthalmology field, and welcomes participation of related institutions to utilize the infrastructure to promote multicenter joint research and development. The JOI registry network intends to cover all ophthalmological facilities, including clinics. However, the project is currently being conducted with the cooperation of 22 university hospitals, one private hospital, and two health checkup facilities. As of October 2021, six facilities are connected to the JOI registry network; it comprises a total of 486,189 fundus images, 25,224 optical coherence tomography images, and 11,565 visual field results, among others, are stored in the JOI registry.

Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, Sep 1, 2021

PURPOSE To investigate the visual prognosis of patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (P... more PURPOSE To investigate the visual prognosis of patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with a 5-year remission after an initial combination therapy involving photodynamic therapy (PDT) and intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) or aflibercept injection (IVA). METHODS Medical records of 69 consecutive patients with PCV treated with PDT with IVR/IVA were retrospectively reviewed, and 17 eyes were identified with a 5-year remission after the initial combination therapy. The eyes that did not require additional treatment during the 1st཰5th year were assigned to the remission group and the eyes requiring additional treatment during the 1st-5th year were assigned to the recurrence group. RESULTS During the 7-year follow-up, the mean logarithm of the minimal angle resolution best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR BCVA) significantly improved from 0.39±0.27 to 0.17±0.38 (p=2.9 × 10-4) in the remission group, whereas the mean logMAR BCVA was maintained throughout the follow-up period (0.58±0.27 to 0.60±0.48) in the recurrence group. In the remission group, only two (11.8%) of the 17 eyes experienced recurrence during the 5th-7th year. Comparison of baseline characteristics between the two groups revealed that a higher proportion of female (p=0.012), better baseline BCVA (p=3.1 × 10-3), and lower risk allele frequency in ARMS2 A69S (p=0.029) were observed in the remission group. CONCLUSIONS The combination therapy showed a favourable outcome for PCV over a 7-year follow-up, especially in the eyes without recurrence during the 1st-5th year. Physicians should be careful of recurrent exudation in the eyes without recurrence during the 1st-5th years, although the recurrence rate was low.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, May 1, 2006

Scientific Reports, Aug 26, 2016

The Japanese Archive of Multicentral Database in Glaucoma (JAMDIG) construction group * Visual fi... more The Japanese Archive of Multicentral Database in Glaucoma (JAMDIG) construction group * Visual field (VF) data were retrospectively obtained from 491 eyes in 317 patients with open angle glaucoma who had undergone ten VF tests (Humphrey Field Analyzer, 24-2, SITA standard). First, mean of total deviation values (mTD) in the tenth VF was predicted using standard linear regression of the first five VFs (VF 1-5) through to using all nine preceding VFs (VF 1-9). Then an 'intraocular pressure (IOP)integrated VF trend analysis' was carried out by simply using time multiplied by IOP as the independent term in the linear regression model. Prediction errors (absolute prediction error or root mean squared error: RMSE) for predicting mTD and also point wise TD values of the tenth VF were obtained from both approaches. The mTD absolute prediction errors associated with the IOP-integrated VF trend analysis were significantly smaller than those from the standard trend analysis when VF 1-6 through to VF 1-8 were used (p < 0.05). The point wise RMSEs from the IOP-integrated trend analysis were significantly smaller than those from the standard trend analysis when VF 1-5 through to VF 1-9 were used (p < 0.05). This was especially the case when IOP was measured more frequently. Thus a significantly more accurate prediction of VF progression is possible using a simple trend analysis that incorporates IOP measurements.

PLOS ONE, Aug 11, 2020

We investigated whether response to photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravitreal aflibercept inje... more We investigated whether response to photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) differs depending on fellow eye condition. A retrospective review was conducted for consecutive 60 eyes with PCV treated with PDT combined with IAI as well as 2-years of follow-up data. Fellow eyes were divided into 4 groups; Group 0: no drusen, Group 1; pachydrusen, Group 2; soft drusen, Group 3: PCV/fibrovascular scarring. Best-corrected visual acuity improved at 24-months irrespective of groups and there were no significant differences in visual improvement among treated eyes among the 4 groups. Within 2-years, 35 (58.3%) required the retreatment. The need for retreatment including additional injection and the combination therapy was significantly less in Group 1(12.5%) compared to the others (P = 0.0038) and mean number of additional IAI was also less in Group 1 compared to the others (P = 0.017). The retreatment-free period from the initial combination therapy was longest in Group 1 (23.6 ±1.1 months) (P = 0.0055, Group 0: 19.1±6.9, Group 2: 12.8±7.9, Group 3: 11.5±9.9). The need for retreatment was significantly different according to fellow-eye condition. Among PCV patients, pachydrusen in fellow eyes appear to be a predictive characteristic for a decreased treatment burden at 2 years.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Jun 21, 2021