ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into a treatment method for increasing clinical therapeutic effect on xerophthalmia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five cases were randomly divided into acupuncture group 1, acupuncture group 2 and control group. The acupuncture group 1 were treated with acupuncture based on syndrome types, and the acupuncture group 2 with acupuncture at local acupoints, and the control group with dripping of artificial tears. Local symptoms of eyes, S1T, BUT and FL were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>S1T and BUT increased after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but did not significantly change in the control group (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in change of FL as the control group compared with the acupuncture group 1 and 2. The total effective rate was 86.7%, 66.7% and 33.3% in the acupuncture group 1, 2 and the control group, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The integral syndrome differentiation acupuncture can improve secretion of tear, increase stability of tear film, improve local symptoms of eyes with a therapeutic effect better than acupuncture at local acupoints and artificial tears.</p>