Can acupuncture help with dry eye?

Dry eye occurs when the eyes lack adequate lubrication due to insufficient or poor-quality tears, leading to inflammation and damage. Recognizing symptoms early is crucial for treatment. Common symptoms include stinging, burning, scratchy sensations, stringy mucus, light sensitivity, redness, foreign body sensation, difficulties with contact lenses or night driving, watery eyes, blurred vision, and eye fatigue, often worsened by certain conditions like air travel or prolonged screen use.

Untreated dry eyes can cause infections and further damage. Acupuncture has shown promise in relieving symptoms. A review of seven studies with 383 patients found acupuncture improved tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), and cornea fluorescein staining (CFS) better than artificial tears.

Another study on post-refractive surgery dry eye showed acupuncture with usual care significantly improved the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) without serious adverse effects. A review of 19 studies with 1,126 patients confirmed acupuncture's effectiveness over artificial tears.

In conclusion, dry eye is a prevalent condition that requires timely treatment. Acupuncture has emerged as a promising option, improving tear production and reducing inflammation, offering relief and better quality of life for sufferers.