US National library of Health “The object of this study is to answer the question: Is acupuncture of any use in ophthalmology? Ophthalmology today can boast of 95% accuracy in diagnosis, but modern therapeutics has not caught up with diagnosis. Despite an inability to explain in modern scientific terms the healing power of acupuncture, documentation of over 500 cases treated shows that this modality can be successful in the treatment of eye diseases, especially in cases of retinitis pigmentosa, high myopia, cataracts, surgical aphakia, controlled glaucoma and re-attached ablation retinae.
We notice in these cases that improvement occurs in the central acuity, and no improvement in the visual field, color vision and night blindness. Apparently acupuncture acts on the macula alone and not on the entire retina. Acupuncture is not intended to substitute for established medication or surgery in ophthalmology. It cannot restore a tissue or organ damaged beyond regeneration; "incurable" eye diseases per se are not cured by acupuncture. Only symptoms are relieved and dimness of vision is a symptom which can be alleviated in many cases with periodic treatment.”
Diplopia is the subjective complaint of seeing 2 images instead of one and is often referred to as double-vision or binocular diplopia in lay parlance.
Double vision cure by seeing double vision therapy of acupuncture is very effective as exemplified below.
“In conclusion, the present case report is suggestive that acupuncture may provide a valuable, effective approach to reduce lengthy recovery rates due to abducens palsy.“
“The results of this study have demonstrated that acupuncture is efficacious in OP (Oculomotor Paralysis resulting diplopia) patients with no adverse events”
“All three patients enrolled in this study showed resolution of diplopia.”
Glaucoma is eye pressure disease in which pressure inside eye increases silently without symptoms and signs. Glaucoma eye may damage optic nerve and cause blindness. There may be no early warning signs of glaucoma of eye.
Primary open angle glaucoma symptoms Most people don’t have any early glaucoma symptoms. Early symptom can be loss of peripheral vision. Glaucoma pain in eye can also be first signal. Glaucoma blurred vision or halos may also make patients see doctors.
When flow of fluid of eye gets blocked at mesh; pressure builds up inside and presses on optic nerve. Cause of blockage is unknown but can be hereditary. Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment Glaucoma is primarily diagnosed by ophthalmologists or glaucoma specialists. Glaucoma testing is done tonometer and dilatation of pupils and looking at retina and optic nerve. Glaucoma tests are painless and take very little time.
Many scientific studies have confirmed that acupuncture is effective in treatment of glaucoma. Here are few -
“Results IOP was significantly improved at 15 minutes after acupuncture, at one week, two weeks, and five weeks and tended to be lower weekly. Uncorrected visual acuity was significantly improved at three weeks, four weeks, and five weeks, and best corrected visual acuity was significantly improved at five weeks. However at the four-week follow-up, significance remained only in uncorrected visual acuity.
"Conclusions Although these results should be interpreted cautiously, acupuncture can be used to supplement the conventional therapy for glaucoma.”
“Conclusion Combining acupuncture and eye drops is better than eye drops alone for primary open angle glaucoma.”
concludes “Conclusions The vessel resistance in the SPCA and the IOP level were decreased by acupuncture in OAG eyes. Acupuncture can affect the retrobulbar circulation and IOP despite the administration of standard medication. The present study implies the possibility that acupuncture is effective for OAG with standard medication.”
“Abstract Acupuncture of 50 persons suffering from myopia, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa (degeneratio retinae pigmentosa), optic nerve atrophy, aged 5 to 71 was carried out........In all the patients, a subjective improvement of visual acuity was observed. In children with myopia, relative accommodation was enlarged. In patients with retinitis pigmentosa, an enlargement of the borders of the visual field, investigated by perimetry and isopter perimetry was observed, as well as light difference sensitivity established by static perimetry. Electro-oculograms showed a reduction of the basic values and of Arden's ratio. 3 of the patients with glaucoma had a decrease in pressure of the eye, measured by Maklakow's tonometer.”
Following are treatment options glaucoma. Glaucoma eye drops may be used or glaucoma medications may be needed. Early glaucoma treatment is essential before permanent blindness sets in. Glaucoma surgery are laser surgery and microsurgery to create channels to increase fluid flow in eyes Glaucoma cure: Once vision is lost it cannot be restored. However, most patients can maintain vision; if proper treatment is followed.
Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Treatments Patients report having taken Ayurvedic treatment for glaucoma and reported some relief also. Similarly, Homeopathic treatment for glaucoma has also had some satisfied patients. Acupressure treatment for glaucoma has limited scope.
Age related macular degeneration (AMD): This degenerative eye disease where there is irreversible vision loss in people over 60 years of age. There are two types of AMD - wet macular degeneration and dry macular degeneration. Most patients are of dry form which can lead to wet macular degeneration.
Macular Degeneration Causes
It is degenerative disease coming as ageing process. Heredity factors may also be responsible. Smoking, hypertension, obesity are risk factors. Macular degeneration symptoms
Macular Degeneration Diagnosis
Macular degeneration test: Diagnosis is evident of eye examination with detection of drusen – yellow pigment deposits under retina. Macular degeneration grid or Amsler grid is also visible in macular degeneration.
concludes “CONCLUSION:” Acupuncture has a good clinical effect on AMD”
Retinitis pigmentosa disability (RP)
is group of disorders characterised by progressive loss of peripheral vision and night vision difficulties. Retinitis pigmentosa genetics may be factor responsible for the disease. It is chronic retinal degeneration disorder and is major cause of blindness.
What causes retinitis pigmentosa? Retinitis pigmentosa inheritance is main factor for disease.
Retinitis pigmentosa symptoms Retinitis pigmentosa vision loss at night is hallmark of disease. Other signs may be peripheral and latter central vision loss.
Retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis: Because retinitis pigmentosa causes are inheritance, family history needs to look at. If retinitis pigmentosa is accompanied by hearing loss; it is called Usher Syndrome.
Acupuncture treatment for retinitis pigmentosa Acupuncture however can help some patients of retinitis pigmentosa and prognosis may improve in selected patients as given here.
“Acupuncture may improve the activities and speed of the rod and cone cells of retina, enhance the neural networks and biological activity of the retina cells, and improve the inner circulation, the metabolic activities of retinal epithelium-photoreceptors complexes, and the damages to visual function.”
It takes series of intensive treatments to see the results because of the highly complex nature of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Dr. Pardeshi Acupuncture Therapy use micro acupuncture, electro-acupuncture methods for retinitis pigmentosa treatment in Nashik. Retinitis Pigmentosa patients can expect to recover varying degrees of vision field.
Retinitis pigmentosa cure is not possible at present. So the therapies like retinitis pigmentosa glasses are limited.
What is Optic Nerve Atrophy?
Optic atrophy or optic neuropathy is final stage of axon degeneration and manifests in changes in colour and structure of optic disc with visual dysfunction. In later stages of optic nerve disease, pale optic disc or optic nerve pallor is seen. Ischemic optic neuropathy is also evident in latter stages of optic atrophy.
In nutritional optic nerve degeneration temporal pallor is seen. Traumatic optic nerve damage also shows pale optic nerve. Ischemic optic neuropathy is seen when the pressure of perfusion of the ciliary body falls below the intraocular pressure.
Optic neuritis is seen after inflammation of meninges. Optic atrophy is sign of disease process, therefore optic atrophy treatment and optic nerve atrophy prognosis depends upon actual cause. Optic nerve atrophy in child or genetic optic nerve atrophy appears in first or second decade of life. Optic nerve atrophy symptoms in such cases start early and slowly progress.
Optic nerve atrophy specialist can save useful vision if optic neuropathy treatment is started before optic atrophy sets in. Acupuncture optic nerve atrophy therapy
stated “Acupuncture can improve the visual function of patients with optic atrophy, and can be an effective therapy.”
concluded “Conclusion: Acupuncture can be used in the treatment of optic atrophy.”
“Conclusion: Acupuncture can be used in the treatment of optic atrophy.”
Intravenous steroid is useful in optic neuritis and ischemic optic neuritis. In case of optic atrophy genetic cause, Leberis drug is useful. For optic nerve atrophy stem cell therapy is also being tried. Other therapies under banner of optic nerve atrophy Ayurvedic treatment and optic nerve atrophy treatment homeopathy are also in vogue but efficacy is not known. There is no role of optic nerve atrophy surgery. There is no optic nerve atrophy cure at present therefore treatment s symptomatic and preventive. Therefore acupuncture has major role in managing symptoms.