Effect of Acupuncture on Intraocular Pressure in Glaucoma Patients: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Shu-Yuan Chen, Feng-Shuen Yieh, Wen-Ling Liao, Tsai-Chung Li, Ching-Liang Hsieh, Shu-Yuan Chen, Feng-Shuen Yieh, Wen-Ling Liao, Tsai-Chung Li, Ching-Liang Hsieh

Abstract

Glaucoma is characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells that cause progressive optic neuropathy, finally resulting in changes to the optic nerve head. Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only method proven for treating glaucoma. Several studies have discovered that acupuncture can reduce IOP and also increase ocular perfusion and ocular blood flow. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of acupuncture on IOP in glaucoma patients. We conducted a single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial involving 45 glaucoma patients. The results indicated that the difference between the IOP 60 min after the intervention and IOP immediately before the intervention was greater in the acupuncture group (AG) and electroacupuncture group (EG) than in the sham group (SG) for all four of the interventions performed and in both eyes (all p < 0.05). The IOP difference between immediately before the first intervention and after finishing the final intervention was also greater in the AG and EG than in the SG in both eyes (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, IOP was reduced at 60 min after acupuncture or electroacupuncture was performed at BL1 and EX-HN7. Additionally, IOP was reduced after finishing four acupuncture or electroacupuncture sessions. Therefore, our results suggest that acupuncture and electroacupuncture are beneficial for lowering IOP in glaucoma patients. This trial is registered with NCT04157530.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Copyright © 2020 Shu-Yuan Chen et al.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Location of Jingming (BL1) and Qiuhou (EX-HN7). BL1 is located in the depression between the superomedial parts and inner wall of the orbit. EX-HN7 is located at the junction between the outer 1/4 and medial 3/4 of the inferior margin of the orbit when the subject is siting up and looking upwards.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flowchart of the trial.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effect of acupuncture and EA at BL1 and HX-EN7. The IOP difference between V1 in the first intervention and V2–V4 in the fourth intervention was greater in the AG and EG than in the SG. ∗∗∗p < 0.001 compared with the SG.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of acupuncture and EA at BL1 and HX-EN7 on visual field. The visual field index (VFI) reduced 7% in the right eye (Right) and 2% in the left eye (Left); the mean defect (MD) reduced 3.07 dB in the right eye and 1.75 dB in the left eye in the sham group (SG). The VFI increased 4% in the right eye and left eye; the MD increased 1.08 dB in the right eye and 1.28 dB in the left eye in the acupuncture group (AG). The VFI increased 12% in the right eye and 6% in the left eye; the MD increased 5.63 dB in the right eye and 4.19 dB in the left eye in the electroacupuncture group (EG). Before, before the intervention of acupuncture or electroacupuncture; 6 M, 6 months after the intervention; D, the difference between B and 6 M.

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