Is acupuncture a viable therapeutic strategy for degenerative eye diseases? a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction

Degenerative ocular diseases—glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), optic atrophy, and retinitis pigmentosa (RP)—are major causes of irreversible vision loss. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese therapy, has shown promise in improving visual function through neuroprotective and vascular mechanisms.

Methodology

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using data from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and other observational studies examined acupuncture or electroacupuncture for degenerative ocular diseases. Quality was assessed using RoB 2.0 for RCTs and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies. Meta-analyses and narrative syntheses were performed using RevMan and rbiostistics.

Results

A total of 3362 records were identified, with 21 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Acupuncture shows improvements in visual acuity, ocular blood flow, and intraocular pressure (IOP) across conditions. Meta-analyses showed a significant improvement in total effective rate favoring acupuncture (OR = 3.52; 95 % CI: 2.18–5.68; p < 0.00001), with consistent benefits across RP, AMD, and optic atrophy. However, pooled data revealed no statistically significant improvement in visual acuity (MD = –0.03; p = 0.50) or IOP (MD = –0.86 mmHg; p = 0.11). Randomized controlled trials comparing acupuncture to sham controls also showed non-significant trends. Despite some promising physiological and functional outcomes, results remain mixed, emphasizing the need for larger, well-designed studies.

Conclusion

Acupuncture shows potential benefits in treating degenerative eye diseases, especially in improving clinical response rates. However, its effects on visual acuity and IOP remain inconclusive, warranting further rigorous research.