The present study was designed as a clinical trial to assess the efficacy of acupuncture and silver spike point (SSP) electro-therapy on dry eye syndrome. A total of 43 dry eye syndrome patients participated in the present study. Subjects were divided into control, acupuncture and SSP electro-therapy groups. The three groups were all given artificial tears treatment. Patients in the treatment groups were given two 20-minute treatments of either acupuncture or SSP. Assessment was carried out using the Basal Schirmer test, tear break-up time (BUT), visual analog scale (VAS) and an overall score of eye condition. After four weeks of treatment, both the acupuncture and SSP treatment groups showed improvements over the control group, in Schirmer tests of the left eye and average tearing of both eyes. After 8 weeks of treatment, both treatment groups showed improvements over the control group both in Schirmer tests and VAS. For the right eye, treatment groups showed significant improvements in Schirmer test and VAS versus the control group averages for both eyes. There was no significant difference in BUT at any time. Comparing scores before and after treatment, the acupuncture and SSP groups showed a significant improvement compared to the control group. The acupuncture group showed a greater 8-week improvement in Schirmer tests scores compared to the SSP group. However, the SSP group patients used fewer applications of artificial tears. Acupuncture and SSP electro-therapy were effective in increasing tear secretion in patients with dry eye syndrome. The SSP electro-therapy not only alleviated dry eye syndrome, but also reduced the number of applications of artificial tears necessary.

The present study was designed as a clinical trial to assess the efficacy of acupuncture and silver spike point (SSP) electro-therapy on dry eye syndrome. A total of 43 dry eye syndrome patients participated in the present study. Subjects were divided into control, acupuncture and SSP electro-therapy groups. The three groups were all given artificial tears treatment. Patients in the treatment groups were given two 20-minute treatments of either acupuncture or SSP. Assessment was carried out using the Basal Schirmer test, tear break-up time (BUT), visual analog scale (VAS) and an overall score of eye condition. After four weeks of treatment, both the acupuncture and SSP treatment groups showed improvements over the control group, in Schirmer tests of the left eye and average tearing of both eyes. After 8 weeks of treatment, both treatment groups showed improvements over the control group both in Schirmer tests and VAS. For the right eye, treatment groups showed significant improvements in Schirmer test and VAS versus the control group averages for both eyes. There was no significant difference in BUT at any time. Comparing scores before and after treatment, the acupuncture and SSP groups showed a significant improvement compared to the control group. The acupuncture group showed a greater 8-week improvement in Schirmer tests scores compared to the SSP group. However, the SSP group patients used fewer applications of artificial tears. Acupuncture and SSP electro-therapy were effective in increasing tear secretion in patients with dry eye syndrome. The SSP electro-therapy not only alleviated dry eye syndrome, but also reduced the number of applications of artificial tears necessary.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the effects of acupuncture compared to a control group using artificial tears.

METHODS:Setting&design: multicenter randomised controlled trial (three local research hospitals of South Korea). Study Population: 150 patients with moderate to severe dry eye. Intervention: Participants were randomly allocated into four weeks of acupuncture treatment (bilateral BL2, GB14, TE 23, Ex1, ST1, GB20, LI4, LI11 and single GV23) or to the artificial tears group (sodium carboxymethylcellulose). Main Outcome Measure(s): The ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TFBUT), SchirmerΙ test, visual analogue scale (VAS) for self-assessment of ocular discomfort, general assessment (by both acupuncture practitioners and participants) and quality of life (QOL) through the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile-2 (MYMOP-2).

RESULTS:There was no statistically significant difference between two groups for the improvement of dry eye symptoms as measured by OSDI (MD -16.11, 95% CI [-20.91, -11.32] with acupuncture and -15.37, 95% CI [-19.57, -11.16] with artificial tears; P = 0.419), VAS (acupuncture: -23.84 [-29.59, -18.09]; artificial tears: -22.2 [-27.24, -17.16], P = 0.530) or quality of life (acupuncture: -1.32 [-1.65, -0.99]; artificial tears: -0.96 [-1.32, -0.6], P = 0.42) immediately after treatment. However, compared with artificial tears group, the OSDI (acupuncture: -16.15 [-21.38, -10.92]; artificial tears: -10.76 [-15.25, -6.27], P = 0.030) and VAS (acupuncture: -23.88 [-30.9, -16.86]; artificial tears: -14.71 [-20.86, -8.55], P = 0.018) were significantly improved in the acupuncture group at 8 weeks after the end of acupuncturetreatment. TFBUT measurements increased significantly in the acupuncture group after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:Acupuncture may have benefits on the mid-term outcomes related to dry eye syndrome compared with artificial tears.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01105221.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment on dry eye syndrome.

DESIGN:This was a prospective observational study.

SETTING:The study was conducted at a clinical evaluation center for acupuncture and moxibustion of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medicine, Republic of Korea.

SUBJECTS:The subjects were patients with dry eye disease (N = 36), defined by Schirmer test scores of<10 mm/5 min and tear film break-up times (BUTs) of<10 seconds.

TREATMENTS:Participants were treated with acupuncture three times per week for 4 weeks. MEASURE OF EFFECTIVENESS: Schirmer test scores, BUTs, symptom scores, ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores and dry eye symptom questionnaires were compared before and after treatment to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment.

RESULTS:After treatment, symptom scores, OSDI scores and the number of dry eye symptoms were all significantly lower (p < 0.0001). Although tear wettings were significantly higher (left: p < 0.0001, right: p = 0.0012), there were no significant differences in BUTs.

CONCLUSIONS:This study suggests that acupuncture treatment can effectively relieve the symptoms of dry eye and increase watery secretion.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment on dry eye syndrome.

DESIGN:This was a prospective observational study.

SETTING:The study was conducted at a clinical evaluation center for acupuncture and moxibustion of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medicine, Republic of Korea.

SUBJECTS:The subjects were patients with dry eye disease (N = 36), defined by Schirmer test scores of<10 mm/5 min and tear film break-up times (BUTs) of<10 seconds.

TREATMENTS:Participants were treated with acupuncture three times per week for 4 weeks. MEASURE OF EFFECTIVENESS: Schirmer test scores, BUTs, symptom scores, ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores and dry eye symptom questionnaires were compared before and after treatment to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment.

RESULTS:After treatment, symptom scores, OSDI scores and the number of dry eye symptoms were all significantly lower (p < 0.0001). Although tear wettings were significantly higher (left: p < 0.0001, right: p = 0.0012), there were no significant differences in BUTs.

CONCLUSIONS:This study suggests that acupuncture treatment can effectively relieve the symptoms of dry eye and increase watery secretion.

BACKGROUND: 'Dry eye' appears to be the main contributor to the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Regular breaks and the use of artificial tears or certain eye drops are some of the options to reduce visual discomfort. A combination of yoga practices have been shown to reduce visual strain in persons with progressive myopia. The present randomized controlled trial was planned to evaluate the effect of a combination of yoga practices on self-rated symptoms of visual discomfort in professional computer users in Bangalore. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety one professional computer users were randomly assigned to two groups, yoga (YG, n = 146) and wait list control (WL, n = 145). Both groups were assessed at baseline and after sixty days for self-rated visual discomfort using a standard questionnaire. During these 60 days the YG group practiced an hour of yoga daily for five days in a week and the WL group did their usual recreational activities also for an hour daily for the same duration. At 60 days there were 62 in the YG group and 55 in the WL group. RESULTS: While the scores for visual discomfort of both groups were comparable at baseline, after 60 days there was a significantly decreased score in the YG group, whereas the WL group showed significantly increased scores. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the yoga practice appeared to reduce visual discomfort, while the group who had no yoga intervention (WL) showed an increase in discomfort at the end of sixty days.

PURPOSE: To characterize and describe the management of complications seen in patients who have undergone insertion of the SmartPlug permanent punctal plug. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who experienced complications after SmartPlug insertion and were treated by 1 of 18 ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeons between January 2004 and October 2005. METHODS: Presenting symptoms and signs and the management of complications were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalences of canaliculitis and dacryocystitis, tearing at presentation, and outcome of conservative and/or surgical management of the SmartPlug complications. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were included in the study; 13 had bilateral involvement. On initial presentation, 18 patients had inflammation, including 17 with canaliculitis and 1 with recurrent acute dacryocystitis. Ten patients had little or no inflammation; all 10 had tearing of the involved eye(s). In 5 patients, complications resolved after office irrigation of the lacrimal drainage system; in a sixth patient, silicone intubation was performed as well. Canaliculotomy was performed in 13 patients (bilateral in 3) and combined with silicone intubation (3 patients). Canaliculotomy was planned in an additional 2 patients. Canaliculitis in 1 patient responded to a course of oral antibiotics; the plug was massaged out of the punctum in a retrograde fashion in another patient. In still another patient, the plugs expressed themselves at the time of planned canaliculotomy. In 4 patients, dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with silicone intubation was necessary. Two additional patients refused further treatment including DCR and canaliculotomy; both were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Canaliculitis, acute dacryocystitis, and tearing may be seen in patients who have had SmartPlugs and may be managed by removal of the plug. A trial of topical and oral broad-spectrum antibiotics followed by retrograde massage of the plug through the canaliculus may be helpful should plug removal be deemed appropriate. If conservative measures fail, canaliculotomy with removal of the plug may be considered; DCR may be necessary. Although lacrimal irrigation may resolve the problem, irrigation also may dislodge the plug from its canalicular position and cause permanent obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system.

OBJECTIVE: To observed the clinical efficacy on dry eye syndrome treated with acupuncture on the acupoints around the eyes. METHODS: Fifty-six cases of dry eye syndrome were divided into two groups, acupuncture group and western medicine group, 28 cases in each one. In acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Sizhukong (TE 23), Tongziliao (GB 1), etc. In western medicine group, the topical artificial tear eye drops were administered. The corneal fluorescein staining, breaking-up time (BUT), tear volume and the symptom score were observed before and after treatment in two groups. RESULTS: In comparison before and after treatment in acupuncture group, the statistical significant difference presented in BUT, tear volume and the symptom score (all P<0.01). In comparison before and after treatment in western medicine group, the statistical significant difference presented in corneal staining, BUT and the symptom score (P<0.01). The improvements in BUT, tear volume and the symptom score in acupuncture group were superior to those in western medicine group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture on the acupoints around the eyes achieves a quite good efficacy on dry eye syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To observed the clinical efficacy on dry eye syndrome treated with acupuncture on the acupoints around the eyes. METHODS: Fifty-six cases of dry eye syndrome were divided into two groups, acupuncture group and western medicine group, 28 cases in each one. In acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Sizhukong (TE 23), Tongziliao (GB 1), etc. In western medicine group, the topical artificial tear eye drops were administered. The corneal fluorescein staining, breaking-up time (BUT), tear volume and the symptom score were observed before and after treatment in two groups. RESULTS: In comparison before and after treatment in acupuncture group, the statistical significant difference presented in BUT, tear volume and the symptom score (all P<0.01). In comparison before and after treatment in western medicine group, the statistical significant difference presented in corneal staining, BUT and the symptom score (P<0.01). The improvements in BUT, tear volume and the symptom score in acupuncture group were superior to those in western medicine group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture on the acupoints around the eyes achieves a quite good efficacy on dry eye syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute exercise on environmentally induced symptoms of dry eye. Twelve participants without dry eye disease volunteered to complete three experimental visits in a randomized order; (1) control condition seated for 1 h at a relative humidity (RH) of 40% (CONT), (2) dry condition seated for 1 h at a RH of 20% (DRY), and (3) exercise condition seated for 40 min followed by 20 min of cycling exercise at a RH of 20% (EXER). Tear volume, tear matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), perception of dry eye symptoms (frequency and severity), core temperature, and ocular surface temperature (OST) were measured at the end of each exposure. The perception of dry eye frequency and MMP-9 concentration were significantly higher in DRY compared to CONT (P < 0.012), with no differences in EXER compared to CONT. The results suggest that an acute bout of exercise may attenuate symptoms of environmentally induced dry eye, and warrant further research.