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Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

From: Acupuncture for dry eye syndrome after refractive surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Inclusion criteria

1. Men and women, 18 to 65 years old

2. Dry eye syndrome in one or both eyes (ICD-10:H04.1) with:

2-1. Refractive surgery within 24 months and dry eye symptoms (for example, ocular itching, foreign body sensation, burning, pain and dryness, visual disturbance, ocular redness, and/or a sensation of tearing) of at least moderate severity

2-2. VAS score ≥ 40

2-3. TBUT ≤10 seconds and Schirmer-I test results ≤ 10 mm/5 minutes

3. Voluntary participation and written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

1. Dry eye symptoms due to eyelid or eyelash defects

2. Acute infection of the eyelid, eyeball or periorbital area

3. Skin disease such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and/or pemphigoid

4. Vitamin A deficiency

5. Any external injury to the orbital or periorbital area

6. A history of eye surgery within the past six months (except refractive surgery)

7. Impaired blinking due to facial palsy

8. History of punctal plug or punctal occlusion surgery

9. Pregnancy, lactation, or plans to conceive

 

10. Exclusion at the investigator’s discretion

  1. VAS: Visual analog scale; TBUT: Tear film break-up time.