8.7 Eye Disorders
261
■ Causes:
– deposits of hyaline material in the retinal pigment epithelium
– wet form: during the final stage also subretinal neovascularization with macular
scarring
Point Prescription
French points
■ Local points:
Eye (8)
(
›
6.3.4);
Gallbladder
(
›
6.4.1),
Liver (
›
6.4.1)
■ Stabilising point:
Laterality Point
(
›
6.8.6)
Chinese points
■ Local points:
Eye (8)
,
Eye I (24a)
,
Eye II (24b)
(
›
6.3.4)
■ Relaxing point:
Shen Men
(55)
(
›
6.7.2)
■ Stabilising points:
ANS I (51)
(
›
6.6.5),
ANS II (34)
(
›
6.7.4)
Treatment Intervals
Since macular degeneration tends to progress slowly it is not possible to distinguish between
acute and chronic symptoms. Once the disease has started, its chronicity is inevitable. How-
ever, its progression can be slowed down or even be arrested:
■
Initial treatment phase:
1–2 times weekly until there is a significant subjective im-
provement which can be verified (in percentages) by an eye test; the extent of the im-
provement will depend on the previous visual impairment. Often there will be a meas-
urable improvement of 5–15 %, probably due to the maximum stimulation of ex-
hausted epithelial pigment cells. Damaged cells cannot regenerate.
■
Follow-up treatments:
once there is no further visual improvement 1–3 times monthly
(to stabilise eyesight)
• For macular degeneration the combination of auricular and body acupuncture is
highly recommended.
• The following body acupuncture points are frequently used:
Yuyao
(fish spine; in the
centre of the eyebrow), GB-14, GB-1, ST-1, BL-1, LR-3, TH-3.
Treatment Course and Prognosis
■ Lifelong treatments: taking a break from treatments for several months often results in
a worsening of symptoms; complete remission is not possible.
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