Department of acupuncture, Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care
Visual acuity (VA) is generally known to decline in aging. The aim of this study was to examine if or not acupuncture treatments are effective in improving VA in older cataract patients.
(Method) Thirty acupuncture treatments were performed on 6 older cataract patients (mean age: 69 ± 10.4 years), 3 of whom received 200 treatments over a 5-year period. Pre- and post-treatment comparisons were conducted on VA test results, refractive indices, and slit-lamp images of lens opacity on all patients.
(Results) Both uncorrected (0.45 to 0.54) and corrected (0.89 to 1.08) VA have improved after 30 treatments in all 6 patients. As for those who have received 200 treatments, their VA maintained the pre-treatment level even after 5 years. No clear change in lens opacity was observed.
(Discussion) The fact that both uncorrected and corrected VA improved in all patients after 30 acupuncture treatments, including a male as old as 75 (sc: 0.6 to 0.9, cc: 1.0 to1.2), shows that acupuncture treatments are effective in improving VA in older adults. Fukuno et al. provide support for our findings by demonstrating that acupuncture stimulations, possibly by inducing the pinhole effect or meiosis, help improve both uncorrected and corrected VA in post-operative cataract patients.
(Conclusion) Acupuncture improves both uncorrected and corrected VA in older adults. In addition, a prolonged acupuncture therapy may help maintain VA in older adults. A more precise method is required to determine changes in lens opacity.
Keyword: Older adults, Visual acuity, Cataract, Acupuncture