Medical vs Acupuncture for Dry Eye

Topical artificial tears were administered as standard therapy for moderate dry eye disease.

Acupuncture therapy performed by a certified specialist using sterile disposable needles at predefined local and systemic acupoints (BL2, ST1, GB1, SJ23, Ex-HN5, LI4, ST36, SP6, LIV3, GB37, GB40, Ex-HN3, Du23, BL64). Sessions were delivered twice weekly for a total of 10 sessions, each lasting 20 minutes. Deqi sensation was obtained by manual stimulation. No additional systemic or topical treatments were provided to participants in this arm.