Abstract

P 215

The effect of acupuncture on ocular microcirculation in glaucoma patients

Janek Häntzschel, Anna Leszczynska, Lutz E. Pillunat
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden

Objective
Alternatively therapy options in the treatment of glaucoma are widely discussed (nearly 6% of the glaucoma patients). To evaluate the efficiency of this therapy, the influence of acupuncture on the ocular microcirculation of glaucoma patients was examined.
Methods
The data were obtained from 29 glaucoma patients, 21-69 years old, without intake of local or systemic acetazolamide medication.  The ocular microcirculation was examined with the RVA, HRF, OBF before, during and after acupuncture treatment. The group was divided by randomisation in two groups, the treatment group got a specific acupuncture and the control group got a non specific acupuncture scheme. The study was randomized, blinded and prospective.
Results
The results of HRF show in the treatment group an increase in flow (232/248; p=0,649), velocity (0,77/0,84; p=0,610) and average flow (193/203; p=0,695) and an increase in volume, which was close to significant (13,92/14,82; p=0,19). The control group had a generally moderate decrease in these values, volume (16,54/14,64; p=0,21), flow (289/223; p=0,22), velocity (0,93/0,74; p=0,27) and average flow (239/189; p=0,20). Results of RVA show a significant arterial vasoconstriction (110,95/105,32/108,81) in the specific acupuncture group with no significant changes in the control (arteries 110,28/110,79/111,16). Results of OBF in the specific acupuncture group: decrease in IOP (16,1/13,78; p=0,08), increase in PA (3,1/3,69; p=0,09) and Flow (6,2/8,5; p=0,03), compared to no significant changes in the control group.
Conclusions
With a specific acupuncture scheme for the eye we found an increase in peripapillary and chorioidal microcirculation combined with a reduction of IOP compared to a non specific acupuncture scheme. Additionally there was shown an arterial vasoconstriction of the retina during acupuncture, which might be a reaction to dilation after onset of the acupuncture. This effect has to be proved in further studies with an increased numbers of patients.

Copyright: 2009 Porstmann Kongresse GmbH. All rights reserved. Impressum, Disclaimer.