Studies Show Acupuncture Helps Vision Loss

By Young Yi, LAc, DOM

Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. It is one of the practices used in Oriental medicine. It has been proven to be effective in the treatment of conditions such as back/neck pain, osteoarthritis/knee pain, headaches, anxiety, depression, nausea, and infertility. However, researchers are only beginning to understand whether acupuncture can be helpful for various other healthconditions.
Acupuncture benefits eyesight for patients with vision loss, according to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine researchers. Results from a controlled investigation by Yan, et al., published in the Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, tested the efficacy of a four point acupuncture prescription for the treatment of vision loss. Based on the data, the researchers determined that acupuncture benefits vision.
Acupuncture measurably caused significant improvements in important visual indices. It significantly improved mean sensitivity (MS) and decreased mean defect (MD) for patients participating in the study. In addition, it significantly increased the visually evoked potential (VEP).
MS is a measurement of the retina's mean sensitivity to light. It is the difference between all classes of visual defects for the patient compared with normal values for their age. VEP is an EEG (electroencephalogram) measurement of an evoked potential triggered by a visual stimulus. This helps in the detection of optic nerve disorders and tests responses to light. The results of the investigation demonstrate that acupuncture improves MS, MD, and VEP for patients with vision loss.
Three local acupuncture points in the eye region were combined with one acupuncture point in the suboccipital region. All four acupuncture points are classically indicated within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of eye disorders.
The research was conducted under direction of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Dongfang Hospital (Beijing University of Chinese Medicine). Given the significant improvements in mean sensitivity, mean defect, and visually evoked potential, the researchers conclude that acupuncture benefits vision for patients with diminished eyesight.
Can Acupuncture Help
Restore My Vision?
If you're experiencing vision loss, it is imperative to see a doctor immediately. It's also worth your time to find an acupuncturist who has experience treating vision/hearing loss, to see if their services can help facilitate recovery.
Common eye problems treated with acupuncture include glaucoma, cataracts, chronic dry eyes, macular degeneration, optic neuritis, and optic atrophy.