Acupuncture Treatment of Dry Eye

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye by replicating the study design of the previous protocol and to see the study through to its completion.

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Key information

Conditions

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca Conjunctival Diseases Conjunctivitis Corneal Diseases Dry Eye Syndromes Eye Diseases Keratitis Keratoconjunctivitis Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases Xeropthalmia

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20307, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Military healthcare beneficiary
Male and female patients, at least 18 years of age
Diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca or xerophthalmia (dry eyes) in one or both eyes
Persistent signs and symptoms despite conventional therapy for at least three months

Exclusion criteria

Contact lens wear
Intraocular surgery or laser in the study eye within 90 days prior to enrolling in the study
History of any medical condition or circumstance that would preclude scheduled visits or completion of the study
Known history of adverse reaction to acupuncture
Pregnancy or breast feeding

Treatment and study plan

Acupuncture

Procedure

Needles placed bilaterally on the ears at the auriculotherapy points. Additional needles placed in both index fingers. A third set of needles inserted on both index fingers between LI-1 adn LI-2.

Sham acupuncture

Procedure

Four needles will be placed on the left and right upper shoulder areas. Small circular adhesive tape will be placed in an ear area, but not on the acupuncture points.

Primary outcomes

To answer the question of whether there are objective beneficial effects of an acupuncture treatment versus sham acupuncture on dry eye, as measured by some of the most widely-used clinical indicators in the literature.

Time frame: 6 months after acupuncture or sham acupuncture treatment

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Fed

Collaborators

Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2007
Primary completion: 2011
Study completion: 2011
First posted: Nov 7, 2007
Registry last updated: Aug 30, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed