We are pleased that our report has resonated and stimulated discussion. It was not our intention to question the utility of eye acupuncture, but to point out its potential risks.
We welcome this opportunity for further clinical information: The patient first presented in 2008 with bilateral visual impairment (hand movement). His symptoms followed an intracerebral hemorrhage with a partially thrombosed superior sagittal sinus two months earlier. He described known amblyopia of the left eye. Fundus examination revealed papilledema. The optic nerve swelling was more pronounced on the right side. Excessive intracranial cranial pressure was diagnosed and then managed via ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
In 2012, his visual acuity was OD 0.03 (Snellen-Chart) and OS counting fingers. Ocular acupuncture was started in 2013. When this patient presented with a visual field defect in 2021, his visual acuity was OD 0.025 (Snellen-Chart) and OS hand movement.
If acupuncture in the peribulbar region is planned, it should be done by an experienced ophthalmologist/physician.
Footnotes
Conflict of interest statement
The author declares that no conflict of interest exists.
References
- 1.Drüke D, Feltgen N, Hoerauf H. Loss of visual acuity following acupuncture. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2022;119 doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0222. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]