“A study on acupuncture treatment for water deficient dry eye (ATD) has made significant progress. This study observed the effects of acupuncture on ocular surface symptoms and the expression of proteins related to the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA)/aquaporin 5 (AQP5) signaling pathway in lacrimal gland tissue of guinea pigs, and explored the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for ATD. The research results show that acupuncture can alleviate dry eye surface damage and promote tear secretion. This mechanism of action may be related to the activation of the VIP/cAMP/PKA/AQP5 signaling pathway and the enhancement of lacrimal gland secretion function. In addition, the study also found that both the acupuncture group and the Western medicine group had certain effects in treating ATD, but the acupuncture group showed better effects in promoting tear secretion. This study not only provides a theoretical basis for acupuncture treatment of ATD, but also offers new ideas and methods for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. In the future, we look forward to more research to further validate and improve this treatment system, bringing better treatment outcomes to patients.”