Observation of acupoint thread-embedding on refractive amblyopia in children

Abstract

To observe the effect of acupoint thread-embedding on visual acuity and morphology of retina in children with refractive amblyopia. A total of 60 children with refractive amblyopia were randomized into an observation group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the control group, comprehensive therapy of eye covering of intact side and family refined performance was adopted. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, acupoint thread-embedding was applied at Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zusanli (ST 36), Guangming (GB 37) in the observation group, once every 2 weeks. The treatment for 2 months was required in the both groups. The corrected vision and the variations of macular thickness of retina and average thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) before and after treatment were observed, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in the both groups. After treatment, the corrected vision was increased compared before treatment in the both groups (P<0.05), and the improvement of corrected vision in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05); the macular thickness of retina and the average thickness of RNFL were thinner compared before treatment in the both groups (P<0.05), and the macular thickness of retina and the average thickness of RNFL in the observation group were thinner than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 92.9% (26/28) in the observation group, which was superior to 79.3% (23/29) in the control group (P<0.05). Acupoint thread-embedding can effectively increase the corrected vision in children with refractive amblyopia, and has improvement in retina morphological damage to a certain extent.