Eye Conditions and Diseases

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of diseases where there is damage in the optic nerve, often caused by increased intra-ocular pressure. Glaucoma is a condition many people have but who often do not realize it until they experience vision loss. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can address the root cause of Glaucoma, the build up of pressure in the fluid circulating between the lens and cornea by regulating circulation. A non-invasive approach, acupuncture and other treatment may be used in conjunction with prescribed medication, or on its own in the treatment of Glaucoma. Early treatment of glaucoma is important to protect your eyes against serious vision loss.

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is usually seen in older adults. Macular degeneration is a condition in which the cells in the macula (central area of the retina) gradually deteriorate. This results in poor focused and central vision. It is estimated that 1.8 million Americans aged 40 years and older are affected by AMD, and an additional 7.3 million are at substantial risk of developing AMD.

There are two forms of AMD—wet and dry.
Wet AMD is when the blood vessels near the retina start to bleed or leak. The bleeding, leaking, and scarring from these blood vessels cause damage to the delicate structures here and lead to rapid central vision loss. An early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines appear wavy.

Dry AMD is when the macula thins overtime as part of aging process, gradually blurring central vision. The dry form is more common and accounts for most of cases of AMD. Dry AMD also progresses more slowly than the wet form. Over time, as less of the macula functions, central vision is gradually lost in the affected eye. Dry AMD generally affects both eyes. One of the most common early signs of dry AMD is drusen. Drusen are tiny yellow or white deposits under the retina. Treatment with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes have all been shown to effective in reducing these deposits. However, only Acupuncture therapy has been shown to be effective in restoring the integrity of the eye/retina structure to improve vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes. It is characterized by progressive damage to the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that is necessary for good vision. DR gets progressively worse over time and usually effects both eyes.

The risks of DR are reduced with good control of blood sugar. Early diagnosis of DR and timely treatment reduce the risk of vision loss; however, as many as 50% of patients are not getting their eyes examined or are diagnosed too late for Western Medical treatment to be effective. Acupuncture is effective at all stages of DR for improving the vision, and slowing the progression of the disease.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Another leading cause of blindness, retinitis pigmentosa is a chronic degenerative eye condition that occurs when the rods and cones of the retina slowly deteriorate. Acupuncture and herbal medicine often work to enhance visual acuity, promote blood circulation of the retina, and promote normal activity of the optic nerve while improving retinal cone activity. Many patients see a significant improvement in this condition with our specific style of acupuncture therapy.