ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY FOR  STRABISMUS

Gao Wanxiang

(Department of Acupuncture, Taiyiian Central Hospital, Shanxi)

Strabismus is one of the common diseases in ophthalmology. Up to now, apart from doing operation to correct the defect, there is no specific therapy. For over 10 years, we have used acupuncture to treat strabismus with good therapeutic effect. The following is a summary on the treatment of 100 cases with complete data,

Three groups of points were acupunctured alternately once a day. 12 times of acupuncture amounted to one course of treatment. After each course, the patient was allowed to have a rest for 5-7 days. Each of the above-mentioned point groups consisted of 3 points - one in the locality of the eye socket, one adjacent to the eye and one is distal to the meridian points along the liver and gall bladder meridians were the mainstay of the selected points, supplemented by related points along the hand Shaoyang and foot Taiyang urinary bladder meridian. Acupuncture promoted the activities of meridian to turn local nerves from paralysis to excitation, and caused the weak or paralyzed muscles gradually resuming normal function and finally attaining full recovery. Points were selected as follows:

Inward strabismus:

1. Tongziliao, Fengchi, Sibai, Taichong; 2. Qiuhou, Taiyang, Muchuang, Waiguan;

3. Sizhukong, Yuyao, Touwei, Guangming (foot). Outward Strabismus: 1. Jingming, Meichong, Yuyao, Hegu; 2 Zhanzhu, Sibai, Fengchi, Taichong; 3. Xiajingming Guangming (head) Qucha, Jinggu

Before treatment, all cases were diagnosed by the department of ophthalmology in our hospital. After treatment, they were appraised by the same department.

Among the 100 cases, 65 were fully recovered: 15 with significant therapeutic effect; 13 improved and 7 cases failed. Overall efficiency corresponds to 93%. Generally, the patients recovered after 15-20 times of acupuncture. Good results require at least 3 times and at most 40 times of acupuncture.

Remarks

1. Treatment of strabismus of both eyes, points were selected from both sides. For the strabismus of one eye, points were selected from the sick side. In treating children under 5 years of age, the needle was inserted swiftly and twirled accordingly. The needle was not retained in the point,

2. If the sick teen-agers could cooperate with the doctor, the method of mild reinforcing and mild reducing, manipulations might be used. In the area around the eye, the needle should not be moved up and down. The needle was kept point for 30 minutes and twirled every 15 minutes.

3. Before acupuncturing the points within the eye socket, the needle must be sterilized. It should be inserted slowly and accurately. Strong twirling should be avoided. After the needle was drawn out, absorbent cotton should be pressed on the point to prevent bleeding,

4. The acupuncture therapy for strabismus has been developed on the basis of acupuncture treatment of all kinds of paralysis for many years. Its therapeutic effect is quite satisfactory, thus opening up a new way for the treatment of this kind of diseases.