ABSTRACT
[<b>Objective</b>] To determine the long-term effect of Kampo medicine on patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).<br>[<b>Patients</b>] Patient 1 was a 17-year-old male with POAG at his initial visit, having been treated using Kampo for 34 years. Patient 2 was a 56-year-old female, diagnosed with POAG 30 years before visiting our clinic, who had continued Kampo treatment for 19 years. At their first visit, these two patients had a very high risk of becoming blind, but, after long-term treatment using Kampo, their visual function was maintained and their intraocular pressure was well controlled. Patient 3 was a 23-year-old female at her initial visit, who we have been following for 27 years. During this period, her intraocular pressure returned to normal while she was taking Kampo medicine regularly, and conversely elevated when she stopped.<br>[<b>Discussion</b>] We cannot indicate the specific Kampo prescription which reduces intraocular pressure, but Kampo medicines prescribed according to the usual pattern identifications may be able to improve the intraocular pressure in the presence of POAG. In addition, Kampo medicine may be effective in maintaining the visual function of POAG patients.<br>[<b>Conclusion</b>] Kampo medicine may reduce intraocular pressure, and be effective as an add-on therapy when combined with standard treatment in patients with POAG.
ABSTRACT
[Objectives] To investigate the long-term effect of Kampo medicine on the ocular manifestations of Behçet's disease based on 30-years of experience.<br>[Patients] The number of patients who consulted Yamamoto Eye Clinic on Kampo medicine over a 30-year period was 24, and we investigated and reviewed these patients.<br>[Results] Although 11 patients discontinued treatment within a few months and 2 patients left our clinic after a short time, we were able to continue Kampo treatment in 11 patients for more than 10 years, with the longest period being 26 years. Consequently, 8 patients recovered their visual acuity.<br>[Discussion] Our retrospective study indicates that continuous treatment using Kampo medicine reduces the frequency of uveitis attacks and disease activity. In addition, it may be possible to discontinue Kampo medicine if patients achieve and maintain a better condition despite there being several factors that deteriorate their condition. Our study also indicates the importance of more than 10-years follow up to evaluate the efficacy of any intervention for this chronic disease.<br>[Conclusions] Kampo medicine is effective for preventing the recurrence of uveitis in patients with Behçet's disease.
ABSTRACT
Patients with relapsing eye diseases can be treated using Kampo medicine to prevent recurrence. In our 30-year experience, only 27 patients have been treated with a Kampo formula aimed at preventing recurrence. Their conditions have included hordeolum, multiple chalazion, subconjunctival hemorrhage, filamentary keratitis, corneal herpes, Posner-Schlossman syndrome, central serous chorioretinopathy and vitreous hemorrhage. Of our patients with these conditions, the number with a successful Kampo treatment outcome for more than 3 years has been 12, when following the principles of Kampo medicine, i.e., “treatment according to a Kampo pattern of identification.”It is considered difficult to prevent recurrence in patients with relapsing eye disease, but our results indicate the effectiveness of Kampo medicine for such patients and, therefore, we believe Kampo medicine should be used continuously for these conditions in the future.In addition, there are no standard guidelines regarding a treatment time required to confirm success in preventing a recurrence in patients with relapsing disease, but we assume that it should to be more than 3 or 4 years.