A 2012 acupuncture study for dry eyes found acupuncture both safe and effective. In this controlled study, investigators observed that acupuncture significantly improved outcomes. Patients receiving acupuncture in addition to lubricant eye drops had a 77 percent effective rate compared to those using eye drops alone, whose effective rate was just 54 percent.
Acupuncture Study for Dry Eyes
The research, published in the Chinese Journal of Practical Ophthalmology, concluded that acupuncture was effective for treating dry eye syndrome. Huang et al. compared two groups of patients – the first received acupuncture and lubricant eye drops, and the second received just lubricant eye drops. Patients receiving acupuncture showed significantly greater positive patient outcomes. Acupuncture increased lacrimal gland secretion, improved tear film stability, and slowed tear film breakdown.
Definitive Results
Patients receiving acupuncture in addition to lubricant eye drops experienced a 77 percent reduction of dry eye symptoms. Comparatively, those using only lubricant eye drops had a 54 percent reduction of symptoms.
Tear film stability improved with acupuncture. For example, participants receiving acupuncture plus eye drops had a tear film break-up time of 4.03 seconds compared with 2.11 seconds for the eye drop-only group.
Acupuncture delivered similar results boosting tear secretions. The acupuncture group had a Schirmer I Test (SIT) value of 5.13 mm compared with 3.46 mm for the eye drop-only group. Furthermore, acupuncture prevented ocular surface damage. The acupuncture group had a lower corneal fluorescein staining (FL) score (1.05) compared with the eye drop-only group (1.31).
What Causes Dry Eyes?
There are two leading causes of dry eye syndrome. The first is due to insufficient tear production by the lacrimal gland. The second trigger is meibomian gland inflammation. These glands, located in the eyelids, create the oily part of tears, slowing evaporation and promoting tear stability. Inflammation inhibits normal gland function.
Inclusion Criteria
Participants in this acupuncture study for dry eyes included middle-aged patients diagnosed with dry eye syndrome. The acupuncture treatment group received eye drops plus ten acupuncture treatments, each lasting twenty minutes. The control group received only lubricant eye drops. Both groups received eye drops four times a day.
Acupuncture Points For Dry Eyes
Practitioners used the following acupuncture points bilaterally:
- Jingming (BL1)
- Zanzhu (BL2)
- Taiyang (MHN9)
- Sibai (ST2)
- Hegu (LI4)
- Sanyinjiao (SP6)
- Fengchi (GB20)
- Taixi (KD3)
Treating Dry Eyes With Acupuncture
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dry eye syndrome results from excess heat combined with a yin/yang imbalance, leading to insufficient nourishment and inflammation of the eyes and eyelids. A guiding TCM principle for eye health is to nourish Liver blood and improve qi and blood circulation to the eyes. In addition, expelling wind is essential when external pathogenic factors (viral or bacterial infections) are involved.
Explanation of the Acupoints
Investigators in this acupuncture study for dry eyes selected the acupoints based on TCM standards of practice. BL1, located on the medial side of the eye socket, is an essential point on the body for restoring eye health. It nourishes the eye, removes excess wind and heat, and stimulates qi and blood circulation. BL2, located on the medial aspect of the eyebrow, is the second most potent point for healing the eyes – think of it as BL1-Lite. Many practitioners prefer BL2 because it’s easier to needle. However, an experienced acupuncturist will have no issues using BL1.
ST2 is located just below the eye and powerfully improves ocular qi and blood circulation. Taiyang, situated on the temples, and GB20, found on the back of the head, both promote eye health. In particular, GB20 expels liver wind that affects the eyes. SP6 nourishes yin and blood while opening blocked meridians, which nourishes the eyes.
Acupuncture Improves Dry Eye Syndrome
Patients with dry eye syndrome experience discomfort that can lead to vision loss. Practical protocols for treatment are essential. The integrative medicine approach used in this acupuncture study for dry eyes demonstrated excellent outcomes, and practitioners should offer them to more patients.
Raleigh Acupuncture Dry Eye Treatment
At Raleigh Acupuncture, we have been successfully treating dry eye syndrome for years. Treatments are safe – needles are sterile, single-use, and hair-thin. Outcomes are impressive – more than 90 percent of our patients experience improvement. In addition, acupuncture will significantly enhance the benefits of lubricating eye drops alone.
Next Steps
If you or a loved one are struggling with dry eyes, try acupuncture.
BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.
Additional Resources
Learn more about the Raleigh Acupuncture dry eyes treatment.
Watch Video About Our Dry Eyes Treatment.
Dry Eyes Acupuncture Case Study.
Second Dry Eyes Acupuncture Research Study.
Learn about all the conditions we treat.
References
Huang J, Zhao J, Xu H, Lu H & Liu Y. (2012). Clinical observation on treating dry eye by acupuncture. Chinese Journal of Practical Ophthalmology (CJPO). 30(5).
Lemp M, Baudouin C, Baum J, et al. (2007). The definition and classification of dry eye disease: report of the Definition and Classification Subcommittee of the International [J]. Dry Eye Workshop. 5(2): 75-92.
Key Phrase: Acupuncture Study For Dry Eyes
What our Clients are Saying
I’ve had dry eyes ever since my Lasik surgery. The doctor said it would resolve but it never did. That was two years ago. I had been using eye drops about ten times a day to deal with the discomfort. My brother-in-law suggested I try acupuncture. It worked great. The doctor said the treatment “returned my eyes to their normal state”. That’s what it feels like to me. And it’s lasted. Thank you Raleigh Acupuncture for your good work.
Ever since moving here five years ago I had terrible dry eyes. I thought it was allergies, but the doctor ruled that out. After trying everything under the sun, I tried acupuncture. What an amazing experience. It’s like my eyes are back to normal when I was living in Chicago. High praise for Raleigh Acupuncture. They know what they are doing!
Acupuncture treatment helped my chronic dry eyes. Whereas I had to use drops on a daily basis before my treatment, afterwards I didn’t need the drops any longer. The scratchy feeling in my eyes was gone, and my eyes were not nearly as red. I’ve sent two co-workers to Raleigh Acupuncture since being treated, both for eye conditions, and they also got relief. I recommend this practice to anyone struggling with dry eyes.
