My interest in treating degenerative eye conditions began when I was an acupuncture student at Pacific College in San Diego. As a result of the intense reading writing, and studying, my eyesight was noticeably deteriorating. I did some acupuncture on myself for a few months and a routine screening by my Optometrist, revealed that the astigmatism in both of my eyes had resolved. He was astounded, and questioned me on what I had been doing. I explained that my eyes had been feeling tired, blurry, and that I was getting minor headaches from studying so much, and was using acupuncture to help my eyes.

As I started to practice, I took on a few cases of degenerative eye conditions including, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Peripheral Retinopathy, Retinits Pigmentosa, and of course Macular Degeneration. Some cases were mild, and some were severe (some patients were legally blind). I found that I became rather frustrated with my results. A few patients showed some improvement, but nothing exceptional. I began too seek the aid of others in the OM field who had had success. For the most part, other than suggestions of reviewing my diagnosis, everyone seemed to have the same points, herbs, and exercises. I tried them all, to no avail!

One day I was reading a health magazine and came across and acupuncturist in Arkansas who was treating people with various degenerative eye diseases, and claiming to have excellent results. Of course I called to find out what his method was. The long and short of that story is that I would have to wait three years before I could get out to train with him. Finally I made it out to his clinic and was amazed at the success rate, and overwhelming testimonials given by each patient I talked to.

“Wow!” I thought, “This is incredible. This form of acupuncture (called Micro Acupuncture) is really helping people to see again.”

I went back to my practice in New Jersey and started working on myself, friends, family, current patients, etc. The results I got were nothing short of amazing! So what is Micro Acupuncture anyway?
Micro Acupuncture™ is a new procedure involving 48 newly discovered acupuncture points located only in the hands and feet, and not associated with any other acupuncture system. These points were discovered in Denmark in 1984. More than 5,000 people have been treated with this procedure throughout Europe, and over 10,000 people have benefited from Micro Acupuncture treatment in the US. 80% of the patients treated have had a marked improvement in their vision. Micro Acupuncture is used for a variety of medically diagnosed eye conditions. The most commonly treated conditions include Macular Degeneration, Stargardt’s Syndrome, Diabetic Retinopathy, Optic Nerve Atrophy, Retinal Bleeding, and Retinitis Pigmentosa,

Using Micro Acupuncture, I have had a great deal of success treating problems such as, “Macular Degeneration,” “Retinal Detachments,” “Diabetic Retinopathy” and others. The success of the treatments varies from patient to patient depending on age and how well the patient responds to the treatment. The amount of treatments a patient may need also depends on how well the patient responds and the degree of improvement the patient desires.

I have found that it is not always best to rely on the patient’s subjective impression of their progress. For this reason I choose to do vision testing. Vision testing consists of a visual acuity test (a standard eye chart test), and a vision filed scanner (used by many optometrists to test the degenerating vision field in patients diagnosed with Glaucoma and vision loss). This vision test enables me to map the progress of the patient.

The vision field scan testing is done through looking into a white, spherical dome shaped apparatus. The machine will produce light flashes, which resemble white dots against this white opaque background. The patient is to push a button each time they see the flash of light (may be bright or dim). When the testing is complete, the device will effectively “map” the patient’s field of vision. Vision field scanning does not require dilating or any other form of preparation of the eye.

In conjunction with acupuncture, I usually recommend Chinese herbs and nutritional supplements. Among the most common are Ginko Biloba, Essential Fatty Acids (Flax, Borage, Black Current, Fish oil, etc.), Lutein, Bilberry, L-Taurine, Zeaxanthin, and other supplements that have shown clinical efficacy on improving circulation and nourishment to the eyes. Chinese herbal formulas are based on individual TCM diagnosis.

Also, I have found that a marked number of my patients have heavy “free radical” damage or Oxidation. I test for oxidation levels using an “Oxidata Urine Test,” distributed by Apex Energetics. In these cases using anti-oxidants are extremely important in the overall treatment of patients with degenerative eye conditions. There are many good “anti-oxidants” on the market today but from a TCM viewpoint, we know that different substances will have different effects. For example, Green Tea is one of the best know anti-oxidants which is very drying in nature (not wise to use with a Yin deficient patient). Whereas Black Currant seed oil is another great anti-oxidant that would serve as an antioxidant, and nourish Yin for that same patient. Other anti-oxidants in clued vitamin A, C, and E, Selenium, Grape seed, Bilberry, and Glutathione. Intervenes Glutathione treatment is by far one of the most potent means of reducing free radical damage. One of the best resources for nutrition and supplementation for the eyes is Dr. Marc Grossman’s Vision Works, www.visionworksusa.com. His web site contains an enormous amount of information on just about every eye condition, and natural treatments.

Another therapy that has shown to .be an extremely effective long-term is Micro current stimulation (MCS). This is a low current electrical stimulus to specific acupuncture point, which effect the eyes. Home Treatment devices are portable and relatively inexpensive. Home treatments are administered 2 times each day for 10 minutes. Not all Micro current devices are the same, so it’s best to obtain a Microcurrent Home Unit from a reputable distributor. Joel Rossen of MicroStim Technologies Inc. has designed the most highly reputable MCS machine available. For more information on MicroStim therapy visit Joel Rossen’s web site at www.microstim.com.

For many who suffer from these degenerative eye conditions, acupuncture and Oriental Medicine may be the last and only hope. Conventional medicine has little to offer people suffering with conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa. Acupuncture can offer so much to so many and it is our duty as active practitioners to educate the public about the benefits. The more people know, the more people we can help. Putting drugs in, and/or taking organs out is just not acceptable mainstream therapy anymore. People want more, and they deserve better. Through acupuncture, natural healing and “cure” can be achieved without drugs, without surgery. Get the point?

* Andy Rosenfarb, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H., practices in Westfield New Jersey. He specializes in treating patients with degenerative vision loss of all types, including macular degeneration, Stargardt’s, and other degenerative eye conditions. For more information you can contact him at 908-928-0060. or visit his web site at www.acupuncturehealth.net.

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