Acupuncture Research on Eye Problems

BOSTON - Jan. 9, 2019 - PRLog -- Age related macular degeneration (AMD), occurs more and more in the younger generation. Modern ophthalmologists provide injections to help reduce inflammation in the macular area, but the injection is not effective in treating dry macular degeneration. Even with the injection, if blood circulation to the retina cannot be improved, the degeneration can accelerate. With long term use of computers, smart phones and other types of electronic screens, the muscles around the eyes do not relax to bring enough blood and oxygen to the retinas, which is critical in slowing down degeneration.

New research published by LI. G compared the therapeutic effect of strong manipulation (emayaoling acupuncture) and gentle manipulation of needles in patients with age related macular degeneration. In this study, 110 patients with AMD were randomized into an observation group and a control group.  In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at UB2 and Yiming (EX-HN 14). The needles were retained for 30 min. Additionally UB18, UB20 and UB23 were stimulated with quick needling technique.  The needle was rotated with the thumb and index finger of the puncture hand, forward and backward. The strong and large amplitude were given when the thumb moved forward, and the weak and small amplitude required were given when moving backward. A gentle movement was required during the entire procedure. In the control group, the point selection was the same as the observation group. The points were stimulated with the same gentle rotation when the needles were pulled forward and backward. Patients accepted acupuncture treatment every other day in both groups for 3 months with a total of 36 treatments and the needles were retained for 30 minutes for both groups during each treatment.

Eyesight and the macular retinal structure, including the macular nerve fiber layer (MNFL), retinal neurepithelium layer (RNL), pigment epithelium and choroid capillary composite lay (PECCL), were evaluated separately before,  right after and  3 months after the acupuncture treatments. The eyesight right after the treatment and 3 months later was improved compared with that before treatment. Eyesight was improved more in the group with stronger manipulation right after 3 months, compared to the gentle regular manipulation. The total effective rates were 83.6% (61/73) and 86.3% (63/73) in the observation group and were 63.2% (48/76) and 67.1% (51/76) in the control group right after the 36 treatments and 3 months later.  The levels of MNFL, RNL and PECCL were all reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment. After treatment and at follow-up, the levels of MNFL, RNL and PECCL in the observation group were all significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05).

This study explains why there are big differences in the therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment on macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eyes and other eye problems. The key is a sufficient number of acupuncture treatments and sufficient stimulation on the right acupuncture points. Furthermore, patients need to have a healthy diet and life style to slow down the macular degeneration.
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