Acute and chronic periocular massage for ocular blood flow and vision: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: The ocular blood flow (OBF) is responsible for supplying nutri-tion to the retina, which plays a funda-mental role in visual function. Massage is expected to improve the blood flow and, consequently, vascular function. The aim of this study was to determine the short-term and long-term effects of periocular massage on OBF and visual acuity. Methods: The OBF and visual acuity were measured in 40 healthy adults aged 20–30 years before and after mas-sage, and also in control subjects. Three massage methods were used: applying periocular acupressure (“Chinese eye exercise”: CE), using a facial massage roller (MR), and using an automated eye massager (AM). The OBF and visual acuity were first measured before and after applying each type of massage for 5 min. Eye massage was then applied for 5 min once daily over a 60-day period, while the control group received no massage. The same measurements were then performed again. Results: Performing short-term peri-ocular massage showed significant in-teractions in time and massage effects on visual acuity in CE and AM groups, and on OBF in AM group, while 60-day massage period exerted no significant effects. No significant relationship was found between OBF and visual acuity changes. Conclusions: These results suggest that short-term periocular massage with Chinese eye exercise and automated eye massager can improve OBF and visual acuity, although no causal relationship was supported.