Acupuncture Therapy for the Treatment of Optic Nerve Atrophy

Abstract

Objective: Optical Nerve Atrophy is one of the most common causes of blindness worldwide. The condition is linked to several pathologies, which contribute to the damage of the optic nerve. The presence of a tumor on the optic nerve, improper formation of the optic nerve, glaucoma, hereditary and central nervous system diseases, and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy promote deterioration of the optic nerve. The purpose of this review is to examine the efficacy of acupuncture therapy for ONA. Method: Clinical trials (case control-trials), and randomized control trials (RCTs) were assessed to observe the efficacy of acupuncture as well as the safety of acupuncture, needling manipulation, and acupoints selection. The data collected in this research include scientific research papers from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PUBMED library, National Library of Medicine (NLM), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and other literature library date present. Ophthalmoscope, OCT, pupils test, ocular alignment, nystagmus, and visual acuity check were the diagnostic tools used for ONA in the included study. ONA treatment has been a challenge to ophthalmologists over the past decades. At present, western approaches have no fixed treatment mechanism for the condition. Early diagnosis, the use of magnifying lenses, and reduction of increased fluid around the spinal cord and brain are the multiple disciplinary approaches used in western medicine for ONA. On the other hand, Acupuncture, a branch of traditional Chinese medicine, which stimulates the body’s natural healing ability to promote physical and emotional well-being, has reported some significant treatment effects for ONA. Result: The overall result shows that Acupuncture greatly improved patients’ visual acuity, visual field, and visual function in the included study. Acupuncture acting alone showed significant superiority over other treatments for optical nerve atrophy. Acupuncture combined with medication could improve a patient’s condition more rapidly than medications alone. Conclusion: Optic nerve atrophy is a threatening condition to the vision, which is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Acupuncture has improved the condition of patients with ONA more effectively than other treatment mechanisms in the included study. However, more clinical trials need to be carried out to substantiate stronger evidence of acupuncture for ONA.