This dry eyes acupuncture research study determined that acupuncture outperformed drug therapy for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. The study was conducted at the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. It compared the benefits of acupuncture with eye drops containing sodium hyaluronate. The eye drops had a 30% effectiveness rate while acupuncture produced a 68% effectiveness rate.
Dry Eye Syndrome
Blinking spreads tears across the eyes, providing lubrication. Excess lubrication drains from the eye to the back of the nose. Dry eyes result from an imbalance of tear production and drainage. Tears have three components – oil, water, and mucus. The oil prevents evaporation of the water layer beneath it. The mucus layer resides beneath the water and ensures lubrication across the eyes.
Dry Eyes Acupuncture Research
The study looked at tear meniscus height (TMH), tear breakup time (BUT) and conjunctival congestion scores. TMH measures tear volume. Low TMH points to a problem with tear production or drainage, indicating dry eye disease. BUT measures the time it takes for tear film to dissolve. Shorter BUT indicates dry eye disease. High conjunctival congestion scores reflect poor drainage, another indicator of dry eyes.
Results
After treatment, TMH and BUT scores significantly improved in the acupuncture group and were substantially better than the control group. Acupuncture produced superior outcomes regarding conjunctival congestion scores. The researchers concluded that “the therapeutic effect of acupuncture is superior to sodium hyaluronate for the alleviation of dry eye syndrome.” [1]
Study Design
60 patients were enrolled in this dry eyes acupuncture research study at the Traditional Chinese Medicine department of the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. All participants were diagnosed with dry eye syndrome between September 2016 and September 2017. They were randomly divided into an acupuncture treatment group and a drug control group, with 30 patients in each. The drug control group received sodium hyaluronate eye drops. Sodium hyaluronate, also known as artificial tears, is used to relieve dry or sore eyes. The acupuncture treatment group received acupuncture alone.
Treatment
For the artificial tears group, patients received eye drops three times a day, for 30 days. For the acupuncture group, participants received treatment every other day, for a total of 15 sessions. The acupuncture group received a selection of the following points:
Face points:
Jingming (BL1)
Cuanzhu (BL2)
Taiyang (EX-HN5)
Sibai (ST2)
Fengchi (GB20)
Scalp points:
Shenting (GV24)
Baihui (GV20)
Abdominal points:
Guanyuan (CV4)
Qihai (CV6)
Points on arms and legs:
Hegu (LI4)
Waiguan (TB5)
Quchi (LI11)
Zusanli (ST36)
Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Taichong (LV3)
Assessment
After completion of treatment, the effective rates for each patient in this dry eyes acupuncture research study were categorized into three tiers:
1. Recovery: Disappearance of symptoms.
2. Effective: Improvement of symptoms.
3. Ineffective: No improvement of symptoms.
Conclusion
Objective and subjective data concluded that acupuncture was effective for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. Acupuncture achieved a 68% total effective rate, significantly outperforming eye drops, which had a 38% total effective rate.
Next Steps
This dry eyes acupuncture research supports our own experience at Raleigh Acupuncture. We have been treating dry eyes for over 15 years with excellent results. In fact, acupuncture improves many other eye conditions, including burning eyes, itching and tearing eyes and pressure behind the eyes. In addition, treatment can improve blurry eyes and double vision.
If you struggle with problems with your eyes, come in and try acupuncture. Treatments are safe, natural and relaxing. Results are long-lasting.
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Eye Problems Resolved Naturally
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for many eye issues. This dry eyes acupuncture research study focused on dry eyes. However, acupuncture has been used to safely treat many other eye conditions, including burning eyes, itchy eyes, watery eyes, blurred vision, and double vision.
Reference
1. Zhu D, Gao Q, Zhong YM. Clinical observation of dry eye syndrome treated with acupuncture [J]. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 2019, 39 (08): 837-840.
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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.
