OBJECTIVE:
To observe the therapeutic effect of eye-needling combined with medication for treatment of ophthalmoplegia and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODS:
One hundred and twenty cases were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. According to etiological factors, the control group were treated with medication and the treatment group with the medication plus eye-acupuncture at main point ocular muscles. Changes of the rima oculi, the range of ocular movement and the dialopia angle after treatment were recorded and statistically analyzed in the two groups.

RESULTS:
The total effective rate was 93.4% and the cured rate was 54.1% in the treatment group, and 74.6% and 18.6% in the control group, with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSION:
Eye-needling combined with medication has an obvious therapeutic effect which is better than simple medication for ophthalmoplegia.