Eye-acupuncture according to John Boel

Translation of an article in the popular scientific magazine PUNKT

By Dr. Reinhard Teuber MD – one of our German students

Since December 1996, I have in my practice used a new method of acupuncture for the treatment of eye-diseases. The method is developed by acupuncturist John Boel in Denmark. During the last 10 years, acupuncturist John Boel has successfully treated more than 4000 patients. As he uses points, that are different from classical acupuncture methods, he trains doctors and acupuncturists throughout Europe in his special method.
The eye-diseases, that are mostly treated with eye-acupuncture, is calcification of the eye (ARMD), Glaucoma, Cataract, Diabetes-related eye-disease, diseases of the retina, cerebral thrombosis or embolus in the eye, cerebral haemorrhage, visual problems following an impact, for example after car-crashes, and Retinitis Pigmentosa (tunnel vision). It is not all eye-diseases, that can be totally cured, but almost all eye-diseases can be improved considerably. Also, the decline with patients suffering from Aged Related Macula Degeneration – ARMD, can be stopped.
Eye-acupuncture is a relevant thing and an alternative to the classic school-medical eye-treatment at the eye-specialists.

How is the eye-acupuncture done?

In eye-acupuncture treatment, very thin acupuncture-needles are inserted in different acupunc-ture-points on the body, for example in the forehead, on hands, feet and knees. There is not treatment nearby or in the eye.
The first week, the patients are treated twice a day with at least one our in between, 5 days running.

Does eye-acupuncture work on all patients?

All people react differently to acupuncture. With some patients, you can already obtain great improvements after just 5-10 treatments, with others; it takes a couple of months or more. About 10% of the patients are resistant to acupuncture treatment of any kind. This means, that these patients until now cannot be helped.
During the first week of treatment it will become clear, how well the patient reacts to acupuncture (this is not so for calcification of the eye, glaucoma and diabetes – in these cases, it takes more time), and one can already now assess, whether further treatment will be successful or not. This is important, to save patients from unnecessary costs.
You should have a general doctors examination before receiving acupuncture treatment, in order to discover other diseases, that could possibly be linked to the eye-disease, so that these can be treated as well.

COMMON EYE-DISEASES

Generally speaking, all eye-diseases can be treated with eye-acupuncture

The only disease, that up till now could not be cured or improved, is nearsightedness in adults.
Generally speaking, the success-rate is more than 60%. Which is to say, that more than 60% of the patients obtain an improvement. With patients, where the eye-disease is not directly caused by a functional defect in the eye, but a functional defect in the brain (blood-clot in the brain, blood-clot in the head, brain damage after accidents), there is an 80% chance of improvement.

This article is written in 1996

Today, the results are about 10% better

Aged Related Macula Degeneration – ARMD

This is the eye-disease that is most commonly treated with eye-acupuncture. Aged Related Macula Degeneration – ARMD cannot be completely cured with eye-acupuncture, but you can stop the development of the disease, and also obtain a certain improvement.
After being diagnosed it is important to start eye-acupuncture treatment as soon as possible. The acupuncture also has a preventive effect on the not yet affected eye.
The success rate is 60%. (1996).

Glaucoma

The treatment of glaucoma with eye-acupuncture is very successful. If the patient reacts well on the acupuncture, the pressure in the eye can be reduced, and in many cases, the disease can be fully cured. This also goes for patients, who have already been operated.
Success-rate 70%.

Cataract

The treatment of cataract with eye-acupuncture is the least relevant. Usually, the operation is faster and better. But you get good results with treatment of cataract in children. Here it is worth it to think about getting eye-acupuncture before operation, especially because eye-specialists do not like to operate on cataract in children, as the eye is still in growth.
Eye-acupuncture is relevant, if – as is often the case with elder patients – there beside the cataract are other eye-diseases, for example ARMD. Here, an operation is often denied, as re-movíng the lens will not lead to an improvement of the sight. In these circumstances, the eye-acupuncture often leads to an improvement of the other eye-diseases, after which an operation of the lens would again be relevant.
Success – rate 60%. 
 

Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness up to an age of 20 – 23 years can be treated, as the eye is still growing. In adults, this cannot yet be treated.
Success-rate 75 % (up till 20 years of age).

Farsightedness

The farsightedness, which is conditioned by age, afflicts over 90% of all people. With eye-acupuncture, you can already after a few double-treatments (12-15) lower the diptrical-number, or the patient can even be rid of wearing eye-glasses. Both with nearsightedness conditioned by age, and with nearsightedness in general, you can already after a couple of treatments see an improvement in sight.
Success-rate 75%.

Diabetes- conditioned eye-disease

You cannot cure diabetes with eye-acupuncture, but you can improve the following damages, i.e. in the eyes. Bleeding will only improve after several treatments, not right away. If the damages in the eyes are too advanced and serious, it is unlikely, than you can achieve anything with eye-acupuncture.
Diabetics, needing insulin, have to be very careful measuring their blood sugar values, while in treatment, as eye-acupuncture can have such drastic effects on this, that you need much less insulin.
Success-rate 60% (1996).

Retina problems

Loosening of the retina should at first be treated with laser by an eye-specialist.
The eye-acupuncture stops further loosening of the retina, and it is also seen, that you can reduce the scar tissue, that follows laser-treatment, and bleeding can be taken in by the surrounding tissue.
Success-rate 60% (1996).

Embolisms in the eye. Bleeding of the retina

Visual disturbances caused by embolisms in the eye and cerebrum can – with great success – be treated with eye-acupuncture.
Success – rate 60% (1996).