AIM: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients (20 women, five men) with KCS were randomly assigned to an acupuncture treatment group or a control group. The effects of acupuncture were evaluated by a questionnaire on symptoms, visual analogue scale recordings, registration of drop frequency, and dry eye tests. Ten acupuncture sessions were given. Follow-up was carried out after 2-3 weeks and again after a mean period of 8 months.
RESULTS: Patients receiving acupuncture felt better at the first follow-up compared with the control group (p = 0.036). However, no statistical significance could be found concerning any change, or difference, in the total number of subjective symptoms, dosage frequency or, as indicated by the dry eye tests, tear quality, tear secretion and ocular surface disease.
CONCLUSION: The results indicate that acupuncture has subjective beneficial effects in patients with KCS and could therefore be tried as a complement to ordinary treatment.