Therapeutic Observation of Acupuncture at Guangming (GB37) and Diwuhui (GB42) in Treating Dry Eye Due to Different Syndromes / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at Guangming (GB37) and Diwuhui (GB42) in treating dry eye due to different syndromes. Method Thirty-nine dry eye patients (78 eyes) conforming to syndrome of up-flaming liver fire or liver-kidney yin deficiency were randomized into a distant group and a periocular group, to receive acupuncture at distant acupoints [Guangming (GB37) and Diwuhui (GB42)] and periocular acupoints [Cuanzhu (BL2), Tongziliao (GB1), and Taiyang (EX-HN5)], respectively. Result In the distant group, the total effective rate was 60.0% after 2-week acupuncture and 75.0% after 4-week acupuncture; in the periocular group, the total effective rate was 53.6% after 2-week acupuncture and 65.8% after 4-week acupuncture. There were no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The tear production and tear film break-up time (BUT) were significantly improved in both groups after the intervention (P0.05), while the inter-group difference in the improvement of liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome score was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at Guangming and Diwuhui can boost the improvement of dry eye symptoms and tear production, and prolong BUT; dry eye due to up-flaming liver fire achieved a satisfactory therapeutic efficacy in both groups, while liver-kidney yin deficiency type responded better to acupuncture at distant acupoints.