Eyes-Vision

Ocular Health and Chinese Medicine

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the eyes are related to the Wood Element and the Liver energetic organ system; however, the eyes are connected to all the vital organ systems and can reflect the health of the body through Chinese medical eye diagnosis: The eye lid muscle relates to the Spleen; the inner and outer canthus relates to the Heart; the sclera relates to the lung; the iris relates to the Liver; the pupils relates to the Kidney. The ability to have strong vision relates on an emotional level according to Five Elements Theory, and a Wood Element imbalance may result in a lack of vision for a persons’ life in general; this hinders their ability to plan well for the future and devise an effective strategy to traverse inevitable life challenges. Liver imbalances predominate the patterns of imbalance that lead to poor vision. For best outcomes using self-care, combine associated Aroma Acu-Sticks® to acu-points, topical remedies, and good lifestyle practices.

Acupressure To Promote Eye Health

Detailed Directions for Applying Pressure to Acu-points Linked Here!

Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Apply the Water Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Bladder 62
Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Gallbladder 41
Apply the Fire Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Yin Tang
Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Stomach 44

Patterns of Imbalance Leading to Ocular Problems in Chinese Medicine

Liver-Yin Deficiency and Dry Eyes

Liver Blood is responsible for moistening and nourishing the eyes according to Chinese medicine. Blood is a Yin substance. In addition to dry eyes, one may experience the following conditions due to Yin Deficiency:

Nearsightedness as seen with aging
Blurry vision
Floaters in the eyes
Color blindness or dry eyes
Night vision problems or blindness
Stars when standing
Glaucoma

Acupressure Point Combination Strategy:

Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Apply the Water Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Kidney 3

Liver Heat and the Eyes

Liver Qi Stagnation can lead to Heat; chronic Liver Heat will consume Yin. Therefore, Liver Yin Deficiency indications may be due to ongoing Liver Qi Stagnation that has not been addressed in a timely manner. Symptoms would include:

Bloodshot eyes
Painful eyes
Inflammation of tear ducts (likely Liver Fire overacting on Heart causing Heart Fire)
A burning sensation of the eyes
Anger and frustration

Acupressure Point Combination Strategy:

Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 2
Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Stomach 44

Liver Wind and the Eyes

Internal Wind is indicated with a sudden onset of symptoms and erratic movements. This can be a result of chronic Liver Qi Stagnation resulting in Liver Heat, as heat tends to rise upward and create a vortex of wind much as you would observe at a camp fire; all universal laws that apply to our outer world also apply to our inner bodily world. Common symptoms:

Eye lid twitching
Eye lid flickering
Excessive tearing
Vertigo or dizziness

Acupressure Point Combination Strategy:

Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3
Apply the Head-Ease Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Gallbladder 14
Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Gallbladder 41
Apply the Water Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Bladder 62

Spleen Deficiency and the Eyes

Several conditions of the eyes are related to Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness accumulating and would be a Liver-Spleen imbalance technically. Typically, there is not pain associated with these conditions which include:

Styles,
Eyelid cysts
Eyelid edema
Drooping eyelid
Cataracts
Blurred Vision

Acupressure Point Combination Strategy:

Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Spleen 3
Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Spleen 4
Apply the Earth Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Spleen 6
Apply the Wood Element Acupressure Stick to Acupressure Point Liver 3

Kidney Deficiency and Drooping Eyes

Drooping eyelids may be due to Kidney Yang Deficiency and Spleen Qi Deficiency. Nearsightedness would be an indication of Kidney Yin Deficiency; acupressure Point Bladder 62 is a famous point for drooping eyelids that is treated on the foot opposite to the eye that is drooping.

Wei Qi Deficiency and the Eyes

In Chinese medicine, disease arrises not only from internal imbalances and deficiencies, but also from external forces of nature that can have an impact on our health. These types of eye conditions would commonly be related to infections, seasonal allergies, and dust or pollen reactions. It is only when our body’s defenses have become weak that these external forces can have an impact on our health, thus, external invasions of pathogens are rooted in internal deficiency. Wei Qi is the protective Qi energy (likened to the immune response) that circulates at the surface of our body and protects us from pathogens; when Wei Qi is weak, we are vulnerable to all types of disease patterns.

Six Evils and Eye Health

Common external pathogens that impact the eyes are Wind, Damp, Fire, Dryness, Cold, and Summer Heat according to Chinese medicine. Of these six evil factors, Wind, Damp and Fire typically attack the eyes in acute cases. Wind is the leading pathogenic factor, which can easily bring other environmental “evils” into the eyes. Wind pathogens come on quickly; mixed with Fire bringing inflammation, ulceration, and redness; mixed with Dampness bringing mucous, edema, and secretions. This would be a common pattern with conjunctivitis or seasonal allergies, and should be distinguished from the internal patterns of Liver Wind, Spleen Damp, and Liver Fire; while the symptoms are similar, they have to be addressed differently for the best outcomes for great eye health.

Bell's Palsy and Drooping Eye

Eye paralysis due to Bell's Palsy is well treated with acupuncture; the sooner that you receive treatment the faster and better you will respond. Bell's Palsy is considered an acute pathogenic invasion of Wind. Many people find they are afflicted with this after being exposed to actual wind, such as riding in a car with the window down.

References

Cheng J, Li Q, Ren LH, Zhao YN, Wang FF. Clinical Observation of Eye Acupuncture Combined With Conventional Acupuncture on Dry Eye Syndrome With yin Deficiency of Liver and Kidney. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2019;39(9):945‐949. doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.09.008

Zhang D, Jin S, Zhang L, Chen L, Liang F. Acupuncture for ocular myasthenia gravis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(17):e19901. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000019901

Wei QB, Ding N, Wang JJ, Wang W, Gao WP. Acupoint selection for the treatment of dry eye: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Exp Ther Med. 2020;19(4):2851‐2860. doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8561

Bi, J. Q., Li, W., Yang, Q., Li, B. L., Meng, Q. G., & Liu, Y. F. (2016). Acupuncture for the Treatment of Oculomotor Paralysis: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2016, 3961450. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3961450

Chen Q. X. M., Zhou W., Ju D., Zhu L. W., Sun X. W. Acupuncture treatment for oculomotor paresis: clinical observation of 20 cases. Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 2014;30(10):31–33.

Zhongtai L. Mingmu dihuang tang combined with electro-acupuncture for treatment of diabetic oculomotor paralysis in 52 cases. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2007;27(1):37–38.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.