Regulation of Intraocular Pressure in Glaucoma Patients by Acupressure

[Background] With the advancement of medical technology, many diseases can be controlled through Western medicine. However, there are still some diseases that cannot be effectively treated with Western medicine alone. Therefore, this article approaches the treatment of glaucoma from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine meridians, by using acupressure to verify its effectiveness in reducing intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

[Participants] Between May 2023 and February 2024, a total of 80 patients were randomly selected from the ophthalmology outpatient clinic of National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch. The patients included in the study were between the ages of 15 and 80 and were classified into 5 groups based on their intraocular pressure (IOP) levels.

The inclusion criteria were primary open-angle glaucoma and high IOP. Patients with angle-closure glaucoma, and those who had previously undergone eye surgery were excluded from the study.

[Materials and Methods] Massage the following acupoints in order: Jing Ming, Zan Zhu, Mei Chong, Yu Yao, and Si Zhu Kong. Use the joint of your thumb to massage each acupoint for 30 times, and repeat the cycle at least once. Then, continue to promote the circulation of qi by gently making a fist and using the four fingers to scrape along the upper eye socket from inside to outside. Scrape each side 30 times, and do it separately for the left and right sides. It is recommended to do this process at least once in the morning and once in the evening.

[Postoperative follow-up and evaluation] After one week, the best corrected visual acuity and changes in intraocular pressure will be followed up, and changes in intraocular pressure will be monitored regularly at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Visual field testing and optical coherence tomography (OCT) will be monitored regularly at 6 months and 12 months.