Elizabeth V. Tukan M.D., L.Ac.
Elizabeth V. Tukan, M.D., L.Ac. is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and a licensed Acupuncturist. Dr. Tukan earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois in 1976, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She obtained her Medical Degree in 1980 from the University of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School. After completing an Ophthalmology Residency at Chicago’s Cook County Hospital, Dr. Tukan’s training continued with a preceptorship in Diseases and Surgery of the Retina with Dr. Howard L. Wilder at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago.
In 1999 Dr. Tukan learned an acupuncture technique that has the potential to improve vision in patients suffering from a variety of eye diseases including:
- Macular Degeneration
- Stargardt’s Disease
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Optic Neuritis
- Visual Field Loss from Stroke
After seeing the positive results that many patients experienced, not only in their vision but in their overall sense of well-being, Dr. Tukan was curious to understand the history, mechanism of action and many applications of acupuncture therapy. She pursued a course of study of Acupuncture specifically developed for M.D.s by Joe Helms, M.D. offered through UCLA. Her experience treating patients with vision loss from many different causes has been the most rewarding aspect of her 30 year career.
Dr. Tukan recently retired from her medical practice of Ophthalmology, but continues to offer Acupuncture treatment to patients experiencing vision loss from eye disease. Because Dr. Tukan is no longer providing ophthalmic evaluations, patients must be under current care with an ophthalmologist, and provide proof of such care before initiating acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of treating diseases and relieving pain. Its use can be traced back thousands of years. The general concept of acupuncture is that an uninterrupted flow of energy, or Qi, is essential to be healthy and pain-free. Blocked Qi can result in disease and pain. Relieving the blockage(s) of energy with acupuncture corrects the imbalances in energy flow allowing the body to heal itself.
Acupuncture treatment consists of inserting very thin needles at identifiable points along channels of energy flow on the body known as meridians. Micro Acupuncture is a modified form of treatment where the 12 main meridians are represented as a microcosm on the hands and feet. Dr. Tukan employs both traditional and micro acupuncture points in her treatments.
For Your Eyes
Dr. Tukan will consider the use of acupuncture for retinal diseases that do not respond to conventional medical treatments. Although acupuncture is not the answer for every patient, it may help reduce the rate of progression of some eye diseases and improve symptoms in others including:
- Macular Degeneration
- Stargardt’s Disease
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Optic Neuritis
- Visual Field Loss from Stroke
Depending on the disease, timely and consistent acupuncture may bring about improvement in vision or field of vision.
Not a Miracle Cure
Dr. Tukan is very candid about the importance of setting realistic expectations for acupuncture therapy in order to avoid disappointment. Not all patients are candidates for acupuncture and not all patients who receive acupuncture experience visual improvement. Results vary from person to person. Your outcome will depend on many factors including your overall state of health, age and the severity and duration of your eye disease. You should not consider acupuncture a miracle cure but it is an alternative method of treatment that has improved the vision in many people suffering from a variety of eye diseases. Though Dr. Tukan never uses acupuncture in place of conventional treatment for patients with the wet form of macular degeneration, it can be used while patients are receiving anti-VEGF injections by their retinologist to try and maximize their results.