The Effect of Electric Acupuncture on the Retinal Ganglion Cells in Rabbits with Acute High Intraocular Pressure

Prospective Evaluation of Acupuncture as Treatment for Glaucoma

“…[31][32][33] In addition to having possible effects on IOP, visual field, and visual acuity, acupuncture has been associated with an increase in ocular blood flow, [34][35][36] preservation of normal waveform characteristics of multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG), 37 alteration of visual function tested by visual evoked potential (VEP), 38 increase of retinal nerve growth factor, 39 and protection of retinal ganglion cells from acute increase of IOP. 40 Although glaucoma is an optic neuropathy with IOP being a major risk factor, IOP certainly is not the only factor involved. Thus, a lack of effect on IOP cannot be taken as a lack of effect on the optic neuropathy.…”

Sensory Stimulation for Lowering Intraocular Pressure, Improving Blood Flow to the Optic Nerve and Neuroprotection in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

“…The lack of effect on IOP may be due to any of the following factors: the protocol was undertreating, the 19 Experimentally high IOP for 28 days reversed by trabeculectomy in rabbits; compared with observation. Expression of Bcl-xl and BDNF in rabbit retina increased after acupuncture (Qiuhou, GB20, LR2 bd; Vitamin B12 and 1 injection Zhou et al (2008) 20 Acute high IOP (30, 50, 70 mm Hg for 2 h), then 2 weeks daily EA (BL2 and ST36); recovery of some RGC (histological examination) only for exposure to 30 and 50 mm Hg with EA, 32 rabbits Kim (2005, 2007) w36 w37 EA (LI4, LR3, GB37) significantly lowered IOP (p<0.05), blood pressure, heart rate, vascular resistance unchanged; 10 anaesthetised dogs Yasuno et al (2004) 21 EA (BL10-GB20 and GB21-SI13, 15 min, 1 Hz, intensities to cause muscle contraction). Choroidal blood flow increased in 11 healthy humans (laser speckle method); no change in IOP, blood pressure, ocular perfusion pressure Chu (2002Chu ( , 2004 22 EA near sciatic nerve (GB30) lowered IOP and elevated vitreal endorphin levels (reversible by naloxone); normal rabbits Steuhl et al (2002) 23 Optic nerve head blood flow increased (8-32%) significantly (p<0.01) in 10 patients with normal tension glaucoma but not in 10 healthy volunteers after ear acupuncture Naruse et al (2000) 24 Manual acupuncture (LI4) lowered IOP in 12 healthy volunteers BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; EA, electroacupuncture; IOP, intraocular pressure; RGC, retinal ganglion cells.…”