Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Acupuncture?Acupuncture and Dry EyeRisks and Side EffectsOther Natural RemediesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture and Dry Eye
Risks and Side Effects
Other Natural Remedies
Frequently Asked Questions
Dry eyeis a condition in which your eyes do not make enough tears or the tears that are made are of poor quality. Dry eye symptoms can be a minor inconvenience or they can be severe enough to interfere with your quality of life. The list ofnatural remedies for dry eyeis expanding. If you are looking to try aholistic treatmentfor your dry eye condition, some studies have shown that acupuncture can help.
This article will review what acupuncture is, the potential role of acupuncture for dry eye, and any risks or side effects associated with acupuncture.
What Is Dry Eye?“Dry eye” is a term used to describe when your eyes do not make enough tears or the tears that they make are of poor quality.
What Is Dry Eye?
“Dry eye” is a term used to describe when your eyes do not make enough tears or the tears that they make are of poor quality.
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To perform acupuncture, acupuncturists insert the tip of thin needles under the skin. The needles help to stimulate certain acupuncture points throughout the body.
Studies show that acupuncture is helpful for:
Acupuncture frequently is studied for how it may help all types of health problems, although researchers note that treatment oucomes are inconsistent.
It’s not completely clear why acupuncture may help dry eye, but acupuncture is thought to reduce inflammation, which can be a problem for dry eye patients. Acupuncture also may help decrease chronic pain, another issue that some people with dry eye have.
Studies of acupuncture and dry eye show mostly good results, with an improvement in dry eye symptoms in participants. However, some of the studies are small, and more research on the topic is needed in general. Below is information about two studies focused on acupuncture and dry eye that give a flavor for the current research.
Acupuncture for Back Pain: A Comprehensive Guide to Natural Relief
2019 Study
A 2019 randomized controlled trial (randomly assigning participants into an experimental group or a control group) compared 24 patients receiving real acupuncture against 25 patients receiving sham acupuncture treatments.In addition to observing objective dry eye test results, researchers had participants fill out a questionnaire called the Ocular Surface Disease Index to compare results.
After treatment, scores on the Ocular Surface Disease Index improved in both groups, but improvement was greater in the group that received real acupuncture. Among those receiving real acupuncture, though, no improvement was found among the dry eye diagnostic test results. However, at three months, there was a significant reduction in symptoms such as:
2018 Analysis
A 2018 meta-analysis (an analysis combining results of multiple studies) reviewed randomized controlled trial findings that focused on acupuncture for dry eye with or without lubricating drops calledartificial tears.Researchers looked into 19 studies with a total of 1,126 patients.
Among the studies analyzed, significant improvements were identified on two dry eye screening tests (the Schirmer test and breakup time test) when acupuncture was used compared with artificial tears.The use of acupuncture treatment for more than a month worked better than a shorter treatment period. Treatment of fewer than three times a week worked better than treatment that was more frequent.
Although acupuncture was more effective than artificial tears among the studies, the researchers concluded that there was a lot of variation.
Eye Acupuncture Points
There are several specific points on the face that an acupuncture practitioner may use to help treat dry eye. Here are names of some of the acupuncture points linked to dry eye treatment:
There are not many findings yet regarding risks or side effects associated with acupuncture for dry eye. A 2021 case study focused on a woman receiving acupuncture for dry eye who experienced some pain and a light flash during acupuncture.She was found to have damage to theretina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. This indicates a potential risk of accidental injury to the eye during acupuncture.
You may feel a sting or slight ache from the acupuncture needles when they are placed in the skin. Some people experience bruising or bleeding at the insertion sites.
The Benefits and Side Effects of Acupuncture
Acupuncture Is an Alternative TreatmentRemember that acupuncture is still an alternative treatment for dry eye. More research is needed to demonstrate how effective it actually is to help people with dry eye.
Acupuncture Is an Alternative Treatment
Remember that acupuncture is still an alternative treatment for dry eye. More research is needed to demonstrate how effective it actually is to help people with dry eye.
If you’re looking for other natural remedies to help your dry eye in addition to acupuncture, there are a few things you can try, including:
How Do I Treat My Dry Eyes?
Summary
Acupuncture is an approach from traditional Chinese medicine that involves changing the “qi,” or energy, in your body. Studies of acupuncture for dry eye have generally had good results, although most of the studies have been small and do not yet offer clear guidelines on how exactly to use acupuncture as part of dry eye treatment.
There are many available treatments for dry eye. Acupuncture may provide relief from dry eye symptoms for some people. However, you should only consider acupuncture if other traditional treatment methods have not helped. You also should discuss acupuncture first with your eye doctor.
A Word From Verywell
Dry eye syndrome is an irritating condition that can wear on you over time. Experiencing eye discomfort every day can be truly exasperating. However, while you may be eager to try anything that might help, it’s always important to discuss new treatment options with your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) or other eye care professional. They can help you determine what kinds of treatments may help you the most.
For many people, it does. Everyone’s response to acupuncture may be a little different. Research has shown positive results from acupuncture to help with chronic pain, tension headaches, and migraines.Learn MoreAcupuncture and Migraines
For many people, it does. Everyone’s response to acupuncture may be a little different. Research has shown positive results from acupuncture to help with chronic pain, tension headaches, and migraines.
Learn MoreAcupuncture and Migraines
The acupuncture needles may sting a little when they first enter the skin. Some people do not feel much of anything when the needles are inserted.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acupuncture.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Acupuncture: In depth.Dhaliwal DK, Zhou S.Acupuncture for dry eye disease. Glaucoma Today.Dhaliwal DK, Zhou S, Samudre SS, Lo NJ, Rhee MK.Acupuncture and dry eye: Current perspective. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial and review of the literature.Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;13:731–740. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S175321Kim BH, Kim MH, Kang SH, Nam HJ.Optimizing acupuncture treatment for dry eye syndrome: A systematic review.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18:145. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2202-0Lin T, Gong L, Liu X, Ma X.Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography for monitoring the lower tear meniscus in dry eye after acupuncture treatment.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015;2015:e492150. doi:10.1155/2015/492150Xu F, Jin C.Acupuncture and ocular penetration.Ophthalmology. 2021;128:P217. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.09.024Xu S, Wang L, Cooper E, et al.Adverse events of acupuncture: A systematic review of case reports.Evidence-Based and Complementary Medicine. 2013;2013:581203. doi:10.1155/2013/581203Boyd K.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes, and treatment.Boyd K.Computers, digital devices, and eye strain.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acupuncture.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Acupuncture: In depth.Dhaliwal DK, Zhou S.Acupuncture for dry eye disease. Glaucoma Today.Dhaliwal DK, Zhou S, Samudre SS, Lo NJ, Rhee MK.Acupuncture and dry eye: Current perspective. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial and review of the literature.Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;13:731–740. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S175321Kim BH, Kim MH, Kang SH, Nam HJ.Optimizing acupuncture treatment for dry eye syndrome: A systematic review.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18:145. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2202-0Lin T, Gong L, Liu X, Ma X.Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography for monitoring the lower tear meniscus in dry eye after acupuncture treatment.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015;2015:e492150. doi:10.1155/2015/492150Xu F, Jin C.Acupuncture and ocular penetration.Ophthalmology. 2021;128:P217. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.09.024Xu S, Wang L, Cooper E, et al.Adverse events of acupuncture: A systematic review of case reports.Evidence-Based and Complementary Medicine. 2013;2013:581203. doi:10.1155/2013/581203Boyd K.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes, and treatment.Boyd K.Computers, digital devices, and eye strain.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acupuncture.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Acupuncture: In depth.Dhaliwal DK, Zhou S.Acupuncture for dry eye disease. Glaucoma Today.Dhaliwal DK, Zhou S, Samudre SS, Lo NJ, Rhee MK.Acupuncture and dry eye: Current perspective. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial and review of the literature.Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;13:731–740. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S175321Kim BH, Kim MH, Kang SH, Nam HJ.Optimizing acupuncture treatment for dry eye syndrome: A systematic review.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18:145. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2202-0Lin T, Gong L, Liu X, Ma X.Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography for monitoring the lower tear meniscus in dry eye after acupuncture treatment.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015;2015:e492150. doi:10.1155/2015/492150Xu F, Jin C.Acupuncture and ocular penetration.Ophthalmology. 2021;128:P217. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.09.024Xu S, Wang L, Cooper E, et al.Adverse events of acupuncture: A systematic review of case reports.Evidence-Based and Complementary Medicine. 2013;2013:581203. doi:10.1155/2013/581203Boyd K.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes, and treatment.Boyd K.Computers, digital devices, and eye strain.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Acupuncture.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Acupuncture: In depth.
Dhaliwal DK, Zhou S.Acupuncture for dry eye disease. Glaucoma Today.
Dhaliwal DK, Zhou S, Samudre SS, Lo NJ, Rhee MK.Acupuncture and dry eye: Current perspective. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial and review of the literature.Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;13:731–740. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S175321
Kim BH, Kim MH, Kang SH, Nam HJ.Optimizing acupuncture treatment for dry eye syndrome: A systematic review.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18:145. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2202-0
Lin T, Gong L, Liu X, Ma X.Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography for monitoring the lower tear meniscus in dry eye after acupuncture treatment.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015;2015:e492150. doi:10.1155/2015/492150
Xu F, Jin C.Acupuncture and ocular penetration.Ophthalmology. 2021;128:P217. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.09.024
Xu S, Wang L, Cooper E, et al.Adverse events of acupuncture: A systematic review of case reports.Evidence-Based and Complementary Medicine. 2013;2013:581203. doi:10.1155/2013/581203
Boyd K.What is dry eye? Symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Boyd K.Computers, digital devices, and eye strain.
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