A case report of a patient with cilioretinal artery occlusion treated by acupuncture and xuefu zhuyu tang

Abstract

The report presented a case of cilioretinal artery occlusion. A 22-year-old woman, with a complain of reduced visual acuity of the right eye for 4 days, presented with blurred vision and inferior visual field defect at the time of visit. Acupuncture combined with herbal medication of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction was applied for the patient. Main acupoints included Jingming (BL1), Qiuhou (EX-HN7), Sizhukong (TE23), Yuyao (EX-HN3), Sibai (ST2), Fengchi (GB20), Hegu (LI4), Guangming (GB37) and Taichong (LR3). The needles were remained for 30 min in each session, which was given once daily for 10 days. The modified Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (Semen Juglandis [10 g], Flos Carthami [10 g], Rhizoma Chuanxiong [10 g], Radix Paeoniae Rubra [10 g], Radix Rehmanniae [15 g], Radix Angelicae Sinensis [10 g], Radix Bupleuri [10 g], Fructus Aurantii [5 g], Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle [6 g], Fructus Crataegi [20 g], Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli [10 g], Scorpio [5 g], Herba Leonuri [15 g], Radix Astragali [35 g] and Ramulus Cinnamomi [10 g]) was applied one dose daily for 7 days. After 7 days of treatment, the visual acuity of the patient was increased from 0.04 to 0.6 in the right eye with spectacles, the retinal fundus edema disappeared and the inferior vision field defect relieved. With acupuncture treatment for another 10 days, it was observed that the visual acuity of the patient's right eye was improved and the inferior vision field defect reduced. There was no symptom recurrence and the visual acuities in both eyes of the patient were 1.0 with spectacles till the latest follow-up. This therapy provided a new idea and approach to treat cilioretinal artery occlusion.