OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of electrical stimulation (ES) of auricular acupressure on reducing the ocular symptoms and signs before and after treatment for dry eye.

METHODSThe inclusion criteria were the tear film break-up time (TFBUT) below 5 s and a Schirmer test-I below 5 mm in dry eyes with ocular symptoms for at least 6 months. Subjects were randomized into a treatment group (50 cases) with continuous low frequency ES under auricular acupressure at acupoints and a no ES under auricular acupressure (no-ES, control group, 50 cases) on the same acupoints. Auricular acupressure were stimulated with ES at 4 master points of both ears, which were performed twice a week for 4 weeks at each point for 30 s. The ocular symptoms, the TFBUT, and Schirmer test-I were evaluated before and after this procedure.

RESULTSThere were significantly better scores in TFBUT (P=0.032), the Schirmer test-I (P=0.044) and ocular symptoms (P=0.029) at 3 months post-treatment in the treatment group than in the control group. The total effective rate in the treatment group was accomplished in 41 (82%) of the 50 cases of dry eye.

CONCLUSIONSAuricular acupressure with ES at auricular acupoint improves ocular symptoms and signs of dry eye for a period of at least 3 months.