The clinical effects of acupuncture combined with Mingmu-Dihuang pill on dry eyes

Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of acupuncture combined with Mingmu-Dihuang pill in patients with dry eyes. Methods A total of 100 patients with dry eye were enrolled in line with the inclusion criteria and divided into experimental group and control group by random figure table. The experimental group was treated with acupuncture combined with Mingmu-Dihuang pill, and the control group was treated with artificial tears. After 2 months of treatment, the Schirmer test (schirmerI, SIT), tear film break up time (BUT), fluorescent staining (FL) and clinical symptom score were observed and compared, and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated. Results The total effective rate of the experimental group was 89.0% (89/100) and the control group was 67.0% (67/100), and the difference was significant (χ2=14.121, P<0.001). After treatment, the levels of BUT (7.89 ± 1.65 s vs. 5.01 ± 1.72 s, t=8.543), SIT (7.45 ± 1.68 mm vs. 5.01 ± 1.72 mm, t=5.991) in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group, and the difference is significant (P<0.01). The FL score and dry eye score in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (t were 11.551, 12.342, P<0.01). Conclusions Acupuncture combined with Mingmu-Dihuang pill has better clinical effect and good safety for the treatment of dry eye patients. Key words: Xerophthalmia; Acupuncture therapy; Acupuncture reinforcing method; Mingmu-Dihuang pill; Therapies, investigational; Lacrimal apparatus diseases