AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of Esculin and Digitalisglycosides eye drops and acupoint massage alone or combination of both on video display terminal(VDT)asthenopia.

METHODS: Totally, 224 patients with VDT asthenopia were randomly divided into eye drops group(n=56)received the intervention by Esculin and Digitalisglycosides eye drops, acupoint massage group(n=56)received the intervention by acupoint massage around the eyes, and combination group(n=56)received the intervention by combination of both and control group received the intervention by ocular hygiene instruction. The effect was evaluated after 4wk. The symptoms curative effect index, tear film break-up time(BUT), Schirmer I test(SIt)and corneal fluorescein staining score were as the indexes of evaluation.

RESULTS: The symptoms curative effect index of combination group(78.96±5.29)% was higher than that of eye drops group(69.55±6.23)% and acupoint massage group(71.15±6.41)%, which of after both groups was higher than that of control group(33.01±4.26)%(P<0.01). The main effects of Esculin and Digitalisglycosides eye drops and acupoint massage and its interations for the curative effect index were statistically significant(P<0.01). BUT and SIt of after intervention in eye drops group were significantly higher than that of before intervention, acupoint massage group and combination group(P<0.05); After intervention, BUT of combination group was higher than that of eye drops group, acupoint massage group and control group; SIt of control group was lower than that of eye drops group, acupoint massage group and combination group.

CONCLUSION: Esculin and Digitalisglycosides eye drops and acupoint massage could improve symptoms and ocular physiology in patient with VDT asthenopia, and the effects of the combinative use of both are synergistic.