ACUPUNCTURE EYE THERAPY CAN IMPROVE VISION RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH MACULAR DEGENERATION
You have been given no hope and told that there’s nothing you can do for your macular degeneration condition. Meanwhile, severe vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration affects your quality of life and interferes with your abilities such as reading, facial recognition, daily activities, and driving. Then you’ve come to the right place. At Golden Acupuncture & Chiropractic, we have been providing innovative acupuncture eye therapy for age-related macular degeneration based on Chinese medicine ophthalmology, one of the most promising natural treatments available today.
WHAT IS AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD)?
Age-related Macular Degeneration is a progress disease that causes the gradual deterioration of the macula cell on the retina at the back of the eye that processes central vision and acute vision. Because of the macula cell deterioration, AMD causes central vision loss and poor eyesight slowly or quickly. For instance, straight lines may become crooked, shapes seem blurry, and faces distort, but the peripheral vision is not affected. AMD is a major cause of irreversible legal blindness in the US.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF MACULAR DEGENERATION?
Age is a major risk factor for AMD. Other risk factors include: smoking, a family history of AMD, and being Caucasian1.
There Are Two Types of AMD: Wet and Dry.
About ninety percent (90%) of people with AMD have the dry type, characterized by small yellow deposits called drusen under the macula. Subsequently, as the drusen slowly damages the cells of the macula, vision loss progresses.
However, approximately 10% of dry AMD progress to wet AMD, which is more serious condition. In wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow toward the macula. These new vessels are often frail and may leak, causing a hemorrhage. The blood and fluids that leak from these vessels can be very damaging to the macula, causing acute and severe loss of vision. When a patient with AMD experiences sudden vision loss, often with wavy lines in the visual field, it is important to contact their retinal specialist immediately.
CONVENTIONAL WESTERN MEDICINE TREATMENT
At this time there is no western medical treatment for dry macular degeneration. Meanwhile, studies suggest that vitamin C, vitamin E, Zinc, Lutein and zeaxanthin can reduce the risk of dry AMD progressing to wet AMD.1 However, the patients with dry AMD still have risks of gradual central vision loss and severe vision loss with degradation of retinal cells in late-stage. For patients with wet AMD, however, ophthalmologists will inject medications into the eyes to prevent the blood vessels from leaking. Photo-dynamic therapy is another treatment option with combination of injections under the macula.
ACUPUNCTURE EYE THERAPY CAN HELP IMPROVE EYESIGHT
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), macular degeneration is associated with Spleen Qi weakness, Liver Qi congestion, and Yin of Liver and Kidney. In AMD condition, the cones in the macula begin to deteriorate when there is a lack of oxygenated blood supplying the eye, leaving them malnourished. Over time, these cells will begin to deteriorate and degenerate, thus leading to the symptoms of AMD. Through our specialized treatments, we are able to increase the circulation of blood and Qi to the eyes. As a result, this nourishes these sickened cells and restores their visual functions. Furthermore, Micro Acupuncture will help to improve blood circulation to the eyes to support the health of macula, retina, and nervous system which has effect in improving visual system functions.
What Is Micro Acupuncture?
Micro Acupuncture™ is a procedure involving newly discovered acupuncture points for macular degeneration, and not associated with any other traditional acupuncture points. These points were discovered by Dr. Andy Freddy Dahlgren in Denmark and researched by Dr. Dahlgren and Dr. Per G. Otte. More than 5,000 people have been treated with this procedure throughout Europe, and over 10,000 people have benefited from Micro Acupuncture™ treatment in the US. Significant numbers of the patients treated have reported marked improvements in their eyesight.
Meet the Eye Acupuncture Specialist
Dr. Kevin Kim is a licensed acupuncturist and a NCCAOM diplomate of Oriental Medicine. He has studied extensively in the field of Chinese Medicine Ophthalmology. In addition, Dr Kim has received trainings from leading acupuncture experts in the field of degenerative eye conditions using Micro Acupuncture™ and AcuNova. He has received extensive training and certified in Micro Acupuncture™ to treat degenerative eye conditions such as macular degeneration. There are currently only a limited number of practitioners throughout the world that are certified to perform the procedures.
WHO NEEDS ACUPUNCTURE EYE THERAPY?
Patients with age-related macular degenerations may have the following visual challenges:
- Difficulty recognizing faces
- Visual distortions such as straight lines appear bent
- Decreased visual acuity with blurred vision
- Low contrast sensitivity and reduced color vision
- Visual field abnormalities adversely affect the patient’s ability to perform day-to-day activities such as personal hygiene, reading and driving
WHAT OUTCOME CAN I EXPECT AFTER THE TREATMENT?
- Increased eyesight
- Improvement of the day-to-day activities
- Enhancement in vision-related quality of life
OUR TREATMENT TO HELP ENHANCE EYE HEALTH
Macular degeneration treatment course at Golden Acupuncture consists of 10 to 20 treatments. Each treatment involves using a combination of TCM acupuncture, Micro Acupuncture™, AcuNova, electro-acupuncture or customized herb formulas to activate the cells to enhance functions of visual system. Nevertheless, no needle goes into the eye.
In summary, the enhancement of eye sight is often prevalent with acupuncture eye therapy. It is one of the most promising AMD treatments available. However, it is important for patients to understand that the acupuncture treatment is not a cure for AMD, but a process to help maintain and/or enhance the eyesight. [Learn More About Our Treatment]
RESEARCHES ON ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF AMD
Micro Acupuncture Treatment of Macular Degeneration. Gail Brent, L.Ac., San Diego, CA; Heidi Day, L.Ac., Edmonds, WA; Andrew Rosenfarb, MTOM, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., Westfield, NJ; Mats Sexton L. Ac., St. Louis Park, MN. August, 2004
In initial clinical trials, eighty-six patients diagnosed with Macular Degeneration were treated with Micro Acupuncture. A procedure involving 48 newly discovered acupuncture points located in the hands and feet, and not associated with any other acupuncture system. Five to six Micro Acupuncture treatments were administered, followed by a re-examination using the Perimetry Octopuss 1-2-3 visual field scanner, as well as a standard visual acuity test. Of the eighty-six patients treated, seventy-nine (92%) had shown significant improvement while seven had very little or no improvement. The study indicates that Micro Acupuncture is significantly effective in the treatment of Macular Degeneration.
An Acupuncture Protocol For Treatment Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Second Report, 2005. – Alston C. Lundgren, MD.
Of 108 patients treated by acupuncture for AMD disease, 69% of patients improved in distant vision and 69% improved in near vision. Patients with both wet and dry forms of AMD benefited equally. Half of patients had subjective vision improvement, 33% of patients gained more than 2 lines on EDTRS charts, 20% reported lessening or disappearance of scotomas, and 7% of patients noted improved color vision.
Reference:
- https://nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts [ Link ]
