ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus fumigating eyes with cool Chinese medicinal fog in treating severe dry eye syndrome (DES).MethodTwenty-six outpatients with moderate-severe DES patients were classified into 11 cases of heat damaging yin type (20 eyes) and 15 cases of phlegm-stagnation type (23 eyes), to simultaneously receive acupuncture and fumigating eyes with cool Chinese medicinal fog. Tear break-up time (BUT), tear production (SchirmerⅠtest, SIT), and subjective symptoms score were observed and analyzed before treatment, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment.ResultThe SIT, BUT, and subjective symptoms score 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment were superior to that before treatment (P<0.01); The SIT, BUT, and subjective symptoms score 6 months after treatment were lower than that of 3 months after treatment (P<0.05) but still significantly different from that before treatment (P<0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture plus fumigating eyes with cool Chinese medicinal fog can improve the symptoms and signs of DES, though the therapeutic efficacy decreases during the long-term follow-up study.
