Myopia is increasing rapidly in Asian countries, including Japan. Due to the use of computers and tablets, it is said that by 2050 about half of the world will be affected. Currently, the common treatment is to correct it with glasses or contact lenses, or to restore vision with surgery such as LASIK, but a completely different treatment may emerge. Kubota Glasses are developed by Kubota Pharmaceutical Holdings.
An image that only the retina recognizes is projected onto the lenses of eyeglasses, and the symptoms that cause myopia are suppressed and treated by stimulating the image. It has already obtained POC (proof of concept) that it is effective in treating and suppressing myopia. In December 2020, the long-awaited glasses-type prototype was announced.
Will the day come when myopia disappears? We asked Ryo Kubota, the company's CEO (Chief Executive Officer), about the development status (see our previous interview here).
──In December, we announced the prototype of Kubota glasses for the treatment of myopia. What kind of glasses are Kubota glasses?
Ryo Kubota, CEO (hereafter, Kubota): In a nutshell, these glasses are intended to treat myopia and prevent its progression. So far, clinical trials have been conducted with a stationary type and a head-mounted display type, and the effects have been demonstrated. We plan to verify how the effects of Kubota glasses will continue over the medium to long term.
──In the press, it is said that it will be commercialized in the second half of 2021.
Kubota: We are aiming for the second half of 2021, but have not yet decided where to sell. This is because devices such as Kubota glasses are treated differently in different countries. If it is a country that believes that it can be used to treat myopia but is actually the same as VR goggles, it may be possible to sell it relatively quickly. takes time. We are currently considering which countries/regions we should sell it in.
However, in any case, I think it's the countries in Asia or Southeast Asia. The prevalence of myopia is high in East Asian countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, and China, and there is a strong need for myopia treatment.
──Looking at the prototype, there is something like a part attached to the center of the lens.
Kubota: It's a mirror. You can see 8 black protrusions on the boundary between the frame and the lens of the glasses. This is an LED, from which light is emitted and reflected by a mirror in the center to project an image onto the retina. The mechanism of the device, such as the battery and LED, is all put together on the frame side. As for the lenses, a non-prescription lens with a mirror and a prescription lens that matches the user's nearsightedness are layered.
Kubota glasses. A mirror is attached to the center of the lens, and eight black projections (LEDs) on the edge of the lens project images onto the retina.Kubota: That's right. Since the condition of myopia differs from patient to patient, I think that when it is commercialized, it will be in the form of making and sending spectacles that match each patient's degree.
──How much does it cost?
Kubota: I haven't decided yet, but I think the price will be in the hundreds of thousands of yen. If your nearsightedness improves, you will likely need to replace your lenses. However, whether or not this is covered by insurance will depend on the situation in each country.
──Please tell us again about the mechanism by which Kubota glasses treat and correct myopia.