Can Acupuncture Slow Vision Loss from Macular Degeneration?
When your vision starts to fade, it’s not just your eyesight at risk—it’s your independence, confidence, and ability to engage in daily life. You’ve done everything your doctor recommended—vitamins, injections, medications—but your vision still isn’t what it used to be.
But what if there was another way to support your vision and help slow the progression of macular degeneration? Many people have found that the right approach can make a difference, allowing them to see more clearly, feel more in control, and regain a sense of hope.
Keep reading to learn how acupuncture may help—and why so many people are turning to this natural approach for their eye health.
Macular Degeneration – What’s Happening to Your Eyes?
Macular degeneration doesn’t happen overnight. At first, you might notice that reading is harder, straight lines seem wavy, or faces don’t look as clear. Over time, colors can appear dull, and you may need more light to see well. Eventually, it can take away your central vision, making everyday tasks like reading, driving, or recognizing loved ones difficult.1
There are two types of macular degeneration:
- Dry AMD – The most common form, where the macula thins slowly over time, leading to gradual vision loss. It progresses through three stages—early, intermediate, and late—and can take years before noticeable changes occur.1
- Wet AMD – Less common but more aggressive, where abnormal blood vessels grow in the back of the eye and leak fluid into the macula, leading to faster vision loss. Any stage of dry AMD can turn into wet AMD.1
AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults.1 While it does not cause complete blindness, losing your central vision makes it harder to see faces, read, drive, or do close-up tasks.1
Conventional treatments focus on delaying or stabilizing vision loss. Eye doctors often recommend dietary supplements for intermediate AMD and anti-VEGF injections for wet AMD, which can slow vision loss and, in some cases, improve vision.2
If you’ve already seen your eye doctor, you know that macular degeneration has no cure—but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. The goal is to slow its progression and maintain as much vision as possible. Many people are now turning to acupuncture as a way to support their eye health naturally.
How Acupuncture May Help Slow Vision Loss
You may be wondering, how can acupuncture help with an eye condition? The answer lies in how it supports your body’s natural ability to heal and function at its best.
Think of your eyes like a garden—they need good circulation (water), nutrients (soil), and a strong foundation to stay healthy. If the water supply is weak or the soil isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, the plants begin to wither. Acupuncture works to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and support eye function—like giving your garden exactly what it needs to thrive.
According to research, acupuncture may increase blood flow to the macular region, which is essential for maintaining healthy retinal function.3
Additionally, studies have observed that acupuncture can help reduce central macular thickness, which may indicate improved microcirculation and reduced fluid buildup in the retina.4
In a Qiological Podcast interview, an acupuncturist specializing in degenerative eye conditions shared that acupuncture treatments are designed to stimulate circulation in the eyes and the brain, helping to nourish retinal cells that may be struggling to get the support they need.5
By addressing circulation and inflammation, acupuncture offers a natural approach to maintaining eye health and function.
Many people with macular degeneration turn to acupuncture because they want to do everything they can to protect their vision. While it’s not a cure, some patients have reported seeing more clearly, experiencing less distortion, and feeling less strain on their eyes.
What the Research Says: Hope Backed by Science
When you’ve been told that nothing more can be done, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But research suggests that acupuncture may provide a safe and effective way to support eye health for people with macular degeneration.
Studies have shown that acupuncture may:
- Improve blood flow to the eyes, helping to deliver oxygen and nutrients 3
- Reduce inflammation, which plays a role in macular degeneration 4
- Support retinal function, which may help slow vision decline 3
A case study published in Meridians: The Journal of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine followed a 33-year-old woman diagnosed with wet macular degeneration. She had been receiving regular anti-VEGF injections but sought acupuncture as a complementary therapy. After four months of acupuncture treatment, her vision stabilized, and she required fewer injections—suggesting that acupuncture may help slow disease progression and reduce dependency on invasive treatments. 6
Another review showed that patients receiving acupuncture had better clinical efficacy rates and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared to those who did not receive acupuncture. 3
While results vary from person to person, research continues to explore the ways acupuncture can support eye health. Many patients turn to acupuncture because they want to take control of their vision and do everything they can to preserve their sight.
What to Expect from Treatment at Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness
If you’ve never tried acupuncture before, you might be wondering what the experience is like. At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness in Tualatin, OR, treatment begins with a consultation, where we take the time to understand your vision concerns, medical history, and overall health. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan based on your unique needs.
Acupuncture treatments are gentle and relaxing. Many patients find the sessions to be a calming experience—some even drift off to sleep! See what to expect in this Instagram post. At our clinic, we also incorporate ATP Resonance BioTherapy®, an advanced therapy designed to further support circulation and cellular function, enhancing the benefits of acupuncture.
Because macular degeneration affects everyone differently, treatment plans vary from person to person. The first step is to schedule a consultation so we can determine the best approach for your eye health. If you’re in the Greater Portland area and looking for a natural way to support your vision, we’re here to help.
Taking the Next Step
If you have macular degeneration and want to explore every available option for maintaining your vision, Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness in Tualatin, OR, can help. Our approach integrates acupuncture and advanced therapeutic techniques designed to support eye health and function.
The first step is a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Savage, LAc, DACM, where we’ll assess your condition, discuss your medical history, and determine whether this approach is right for you.
📍 Located in the Greater Portland area, our clinic specializes in treating degenerative eye conditions with a comprehensive, evidence-backed approach.
Get started today:
📞 Call +1 (503) 336-4747
📩 Fill out our New Patient Offer or Contact Us to take the next step.
Preserving your vision requires proactive care. Schedule your consultation and learn how we can help.
References:
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). National Eye Institute. Updated June 22, 2021. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration
- Turbert D. Anti-VEGF Treatments. American Academy of Ophthalmology. July 26, 2023. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/drugs/anti-vegf-treatments
- Sun W, Zhao Y, Liao L, et al. Effects of acupuncture on age-related macular degeneration: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2023;18(3):e0283375. Published 2023 Mar 23. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0283375
- Lu Q, Sun M, Cao J, et al. Acupuncture is an effective therapy for macular damage: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023;102(34):e34735. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000034735
- Max M. Qiological Podcast. 015 clarifying vision: Using acupuncture to treat degenerative eye disease - Mats Sexton. January 23, 2018. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://www.qiological.com/macular-degeneration
- Ye CX. Acupuncture for wet AMD: A case study. Meridians: The Journal of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. 2015;2(3):12-18.
