J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2016 Jan;57(1):130-133. 10.3341/jkos.2016.57.1.130.

A Case of Ocular Perforation by an Acupuncture Needle Directly Through the Bulbar Conjunctiva

• Chung HY
• Lee SC
• Choi JY
• Sohn JH
• Hwang DJ

• KMID: 2213858
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2016.57.1.130

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report a case of ocular perforation by an acupuncture needle directly through the bulbar conjunctiva.
CASE SUMMARY
A 62-year-old male visited our clinic with acute ocular pain and decreased vision in his left eye. He had received intraocular acupuncture therapy one day earlier. A slit-lamp examination revealed conjunctival hyperemia and vitreous prolapse at the superonasal quadrant of the bulbar conjunctiva. Grade one of anterior chamber cells was found in the left eye. Dilated fundoscopy revealed three retinal hemorrhages at the superonasal quadrant of the retina; vitreous hemorrhage and opacity were also observed. Thus, vitrectomy and injections of intravitreal antibiotics were performed. Intraoperatively, we identified the entry site, located in the superonasal retinal quadrant, immediately behind the ora serratia. At the three-month postoperative follow-up, the patient's visual acuity was 0.9 in the left eye and the retina remained flat with no postoperative complications.
CONCLUSIONS
We observed a case of ocular perforation and endophthalmitis following ocular acupuncture treatment. This case illustrates the dangers of intraocular acupuncture therapy.

Keyword

Acupuncture; Ocular perforation

MeSH Terms

Acupuncture Therapy
Acupuncture*
Anterior Chamber
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Conjunctiva*
Endophthalmitis
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hyperemia
Male
Middle Aged
Needles*
Postoperative Complications
Prolapse
Retina
Retinal Hemorrhage
Retinaldehyde
Serratia
Visual Acuity
Vitrectomy
Vitreous Hemorrhage
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Retinaldehyde

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. Fundus photograph of the left eye 1 day after injury. (A) Retinal hemorrhages are observed in the superonasal quadrant of the retina (arrowheads), as well as vitreous hemorrhages and opacities. (B) Note the retinal tear (white arrow) and the direct lacer-ation across the retinal vessel (yellow arrow).

• 

  Figure 2. Slit-lamp photography of the left eye 1 day after injury. We observed vitreous prolapse beneath the bulbar con-junctiva (dotted line).

• 

  Figure 3. Optical quality analysis system images of both eyes 1 day after injury. The objective scattering index (OSI) was (A) 5.8 OS, and (B) 1.4 OD. OD = oculus dexter; OS = oculus sinister; deg = degree; arc min = minute of arc.

Reference

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