Clinical effects of acupuncture combined with artificial tear for dry eye

Objective To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with artificial tear for dry eye. Methods Ninetytwo patients with dry eye in our hospital from April, 2009 to December, 2009 were retrospectively studied, in which 54 cases were treated with single artificial tear and 38 cases with acupuncture combined with artificial tear.After treating 21 days and stopping treatment of 21 days, the patients were examined.The outcomes of Schirmer Ⅰ test(SIT) and tear breakup time(BUT) was tested with analysis of variance by statistical software SAS6.12, fluorescein(FL) staining score was compared by rank sum test and subjective efficacy was examined by Chisquare test. Results In single artificial tear group, the symptoms in 38 cases(7037%) turned to well, while the acupuncture combined with artificial tear was 29 cases(76.32%), there was no statistical difference(P0.05).After treatment of 21 days, the outcomes of SIT and BUT in two groups were increased, FL staining scores were decreased, there was no statistical difference between two groups(both P005).After stopping treatment of 21 days, the outcomes of SIT and BUT in acupuncture combined with artificial tear group were (3.51±2.05)mm and (2.88±1.23)s, which in single artificial tear group were(2.87±2.30)mm and (2.39±1.05)s, there were statistical differences(both P0.05). Conclusion The sustained effects of acupuncture combined with artificial tear for dry eye are better than that of single artificial tear.