Effects of acupuncture on vision and visual function in children with anisometropic amblyopia

OBJECTIVES

To observe the clinical efficacy of Tiaoqi Tongjing Mingmu acupuncture (acupuncture for regulating qi, unblocking meridians and brightening eyes) combined with conventional treatment for anisometropic amblyopia children.

METHODS

A total of 76 children with monocular anisometropic amblyopia were randomized into an observation group (38 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (38 cases). The lens covering therapy was adopted in both groups. The conventional treatment i.e. red flash, grating and visual stimulation was given in the control group, 5 min for one item each time; on the basis of the treatment in the control group, acupuncture was applied at bilateral Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Fengchi (GB 20) and Guangming (GB 37) in the observation group. Both groups were treated once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the best corrected visual acuity, the latency and amplitude of P100 wave of pattern visual evoked potential (P-VEP), the diopter (spherical equivalent [SE]) were observed, the stereoacuity was measured by Titmus stereoscopic examination, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in both groups.

RESULTS

Compared with those before treatment, the best corrected visual acuity improved (P<0.05), the latency of P-VEP P100 wave was shortened and the amplitude of P-VEP P100 wave was increased (P<0.05), and the SE and Titmus values were decreased (P<0.05) after treatment in both groups. After treatment, in the observation group, the best corrected visual acuity was higher (P<0.05), the latency of P-VEP P100 wave was shorter and the amplitude of P-VEP P100 wave was higher (P<0.05), SE and Titmus values were lower (P<0.05) than those in the control group. The total effective rate was 86.1% (31/36) in the observation group, which was superior to 65.8% (25/38) in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

During the visual plasticity period, Tiaoqi Tongjing Mingmu acupuncture combined with conventional treatment can effectively improve the best corrected vision, diopter and stereoacuity in children with anisometropic amblyopia, and enhance the nerve conduction function from retina to visual cortex. Its effect is superior to that of simple conventional treatment.