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Abstract #10438 Published in IGR 6-1
Acupuncture in treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension: basic principles of CM and results of a prospective observational study
Uhrig S; Hummelsberger J; Brinkhaus BChinesische Medizin 2003; 18: 139-147
Glaucoma is one of the most frequent causes of blindness worldwide. The main risk factor for this optic nerve disease is high individual intraocular pressure (IOP). Several differential diagnoses for glaucoma exist in Chinese medicine. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture therapy on individual internal eye pressure in glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients. In total, 18 patients (aged 38-75 years; 11 female, seven male) with a diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma (n = 3) or ocular hypertension (n = 15) were included in this study. Patients received one session of a standardized acupuncture treatment (acu points Li3 (taichong), LI4 (hegu), Gb37 (guangming)). Target parameters were the change in IOP and the compatibility of treatment. Measurement of IOP was carried out 15 minutes before, and 15 minutes and 24 hours after acupuncture. Compared with mean IOP in both eyes before treatment (21.94 ± 2.4 mmHg), patients showed a significant decrease 15 minutes after (-2.67 ± 1.34 mmHg), as well as 24 hours after treatment (-2.5 ± 2.13 mmHg). There was no significant difference between mean IOP at 15 minutes and 24 hours after treatment. No adverse events were observed. The results of this study indicate that acupuncture therapy may be a valid treatment option for glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients. Additional and, if possible, randomized studies investigating the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of the above-mentioned conditions still need to be conducted. LA: German
Dr. B. Brinkhaus, Institut fur Sozialmedizin, Charite, Luisenstrasse 57, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Classification:
9.4.20 Other (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.4 Glaucomas associated with other ocular and systemic disorders)
