A 66-year-old male patient presented due to a loss of visual acuity. Ever since an intracranial hemorrhage with optic nerve atrophy 14 years previously, the patient had experienced a significant reduction in visual acuity, but had been able to cope with this in everyday life. The right eye exhibited vitreous hemorrhage as well as a blot hemorrhage in the temporal retina, and in addition to a pale optic disc, dot-like scars were visible on both sides. The patient reported that due to the loss of visual acuity, he had been undergoing acupuncture of both eyes for many years and that he had meanwhile received approximately 550 treatments. The shape and arrangement of the lesions were consistent with perforations by fine needles of various periocular acupuncture points, including ST 1. The bleeding reabsorbed, the patient’s vision became clearer, and he decided to discontinue the acupuncture treatment. Although acupuncture is considered to be a low-risk procedure, the present case illustrates that repeated perforations can occur. Due to the potential of eye acupuncture to threaten visual acuity, patients should be informed about the risk of perforation.
Translated from the original German by Christine Rye..
Cite this as: Drüke D, Feltgen N, Hoerauf H: Loss of visual acuity following acupuncture.
Figure:
Fundus photograph of the right eye. Chorioretinal scars (arrowheads) temporal to the macula can be seen, as can a blot hemorrhage (arrow). The ST 1 acupuncture point is located inferior to the eyeball in close proximity to the eye and should only be used by experienced therapists due to the increased risk of perforation.
Footnotes
Conflict of interest statement:
The authors declare that no conflict of interests exists.