Forty cases of retinitis treated with needles and moxibustion (heating acupoints with a burning “cigar” or cone of artemesia vulgaris leaves). Five out of 40 were reprted to be “markedly improved,” defined as improved visual acuity with enlargement of the visual field. (Tian 1991) Another report of 50 cases with severe visual deficit due to various diagnoses (including retinitis pigmentosa, high myopia with retinal degeneration, optic atrophy, optic neuritis, etc) concluded that acupuncture produced its best effects in retinitis pigmentosa. (Dabov 1985).

Tian C 1991 Moxibustion on walnut shells in the frames of spectacles in treating pigmentary degeneration of the retina. International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture 2(1):45-49.

Dabov S, Goutoranov G, Ivanova R, I'etkova N 1985 Clinical application of acupuncture in ophthalmology. Acupuncture and Electro-therapeutics Research 10:79-93.