Flavonoid is a bioactive compound which has various physiological functions. Flavonoid is expected to adjust to ocular diseases, such as cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, which are associated with acquired blindness in the world. We use not only natural flavonoids but also newly-synthetic flavonoids obtained by collaborative research with synthesis laboratories. We evaluate the usefulness of these flavonoids using glucocorticoid-induced cataract model, retina injury model and cell culture system.

2. Histological analysis of pathological condition in diabetic ocular complications

　The number of diabetic patients is raised rapidly and diabetic retinopathy which is one of diabetic complications is a primary cause of blindness in Japan. For prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, it is required to analyze the pathological condition, especially in its early stage. We perform basic research using tissue specimen from diabetic retina, and try to clarify molecular mechanism involved in pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.