Combined meibomian gland massage and acupuncture enhances tear film and ocular surface health in meibomian gland dysfunction
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of meibomian gland massage combined with pressing acupuncture in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and to compare outcomes with massage alone. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 220 MGD patients (440 eyes) treated at Xi'an Aier Eye Hospital between August 2021 and August 2023. Patients were assigned to two groups: the Massage Group (n = 119), which received standard meibomian gland massage, and the Acupuncture Group (n = 101), which received massage plus pressing acupuncture. Clinical outcomes included Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT), Schirmer Test (SIT), corneal fluorescein staining, meibomian gland expressibility and dropout scores, subjective symptom scores, Meibomian Gland Yields and Secretion Score (MGYSS), Eyelid Margin Abnormality Score (EMAS), overall efficacy, and adverse reactions. RESULTS: Both groups showed improved tear function, but the Acupuncture Group demonstrated superior post-treatment outcomes, including SIT (P = 0.036), TBUT (P = 0.023), expressibility (P = 0.038), dropout scores (P = 0.009), subjective symptom scores (P = 0.004), MGYSS (P = 0.019), EMAS (P = 0.003), and total clinical effectiveness rate (P < 0.001). Corneal staining also improved more significantly in the Acupuncture Group (P = 0.013). The incidence of adverse reactions was comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Meibomian gland massage combined with pressing acupuncture provides significantly greater improvements in tear film stability, glandular function, and ocular surface health compared with massage alone, without increasing adverse reactions.
DOI: 10.62347/pyzz2517
Author: Ruiwen Wang
Institution: Aier Eye Hospital Group (China)
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4414584469
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