A case of bilateral orbital haemorrhages following periocular acupuncture

Acupuncture has been practised for more than 2500 years in the Western Pacific Region and has become an important component of complementary medicine. Acupuncture technique involves the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points to affect functional changes in internal organ systems. Periocular acupuncture is increasingly used to treat ophthalmologic and non-ophthalmologic conditions. Although there are reported benefits, there is a lack of high-quality evidence supporting its efficacy. There are also increasing reports of complications, including orbital haemorrhage, globe perforation, retinal detachment and endophthalmitis. Here, we present a case of bilateral orbital haemorrhages from periocular acupuncture, highlighting the potential dangers of this practice.