AIM:To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Thunder-Fire Moxibustion and massage acupoints around eyes in the treatment of xerophthalmia and to provide evidence-based research basis for the subsequent clinical application of Thunder-Fire Moxibustion.

METHODS: Found a randomized controlled trial for the treatment of xerophthalmia with Thunder-Fire Moxibustion and massage acupoints around eyes by the retrieval from Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Science and Technology Journal Database, CNKI and Wanfang Data. After two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the quality according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, Review Manager 5.3 was applied to process Meta-analysis.

RESULTS: Finally, seven RCT were selected for this Meta-analysis, a total of 530 patients,including 265 patients in the treatment group and 265 patients in the control group. The results showed that the clinical efficacy in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(OR=2.44, 95% CI: 1.74-3.43; P<0.001). And the SⅠt in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(WMD = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.46-1.27; P<0.001). And the BUT in the treatment group was longer than that in the control group(WMD= 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01-1.86; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Thunder-Fire Moxibustion and massage acupoints around eyes can improve the SⅠt and BUT of xerophthalmia. The therapy is not only safe and effective, but suitable for wider use as well.