dry eyes, floaters, visual fatigue, and age-related eye conditions
Dry Eyes – A TCM Perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the eyes are considered an extension of the Liver, and their function is closely connected to the health of multiple internal organs, especially the Liver, Kidneys, and Spleen. The condition known in Western medicine as “dry eyes” — characterized by dryness, irritation, redness, burning, or a gritty sensation — is understood in TCM as a result of insufficient nourishment to the eyes, due to underlying organ imbalances and internal deficiency or excess patterns.
🔹 Liver Yin and Blood Deficiency
The most common TCM cause of dry eyes is Liver Yin and/or Blood Deficiency. In Chinese medicine, the Liver stores Blood and ensures the smooth flow of Qi and Blood throughout the body. The Liver also “opens into the eyes” and governs vision. When Liver Yin or Blood is deficient — due to chronic overwork, stress, aging, or poor diet — the eyes are not sufficiently moistened or nourished, resulting in dryness, fatigue, blurred vision, or even mild photophobia.Typical signs associated with this pattern include dizziness, blurry vision, insomnia, dry skin, scanty menstruation (in women), and a red or pale tongue with a thin coating.
🔹 Kidney Yin Deficiency
In more chronic or age-related cases, Kidney Yin Deficiency may underlie the dryness. In TCM, the Kidneys store the Essence (Jing), which generates marrow, including the marrow of the brain and spinal cord that nourishes the eyes. When Kidney Yin is depleted — often due to aging, long-term illness, or excessive sexual activity — there is a failure to generate fluids and nourish the Liver, further aggravating eye dryness. This pattern may be accompanied by tinnitus, sore lower back, night sweats, hot palms and soles, and a red tongue with little coating.
🔹 Wind-Heat Invasion or Heat in the Liver Channel
In some cases, especially when dryness is acute, red, painful, and accompanied by itching or burning, the cause may be Wind-Heat or Liver Fire rising to the eyes. This excess pattern often results from environmental exposure (wind, allergens, dry climate), poor dietary habits (spicy or greasy food), or emotional stress. This form of dry eyes is more inflammatory and may be accompanied by red eyes, headaches, irritability, bitter taste in the mouth, and constipation.
🔹 TCM Treatment Principles
Treatment of dry eyes in TCM follows a pattern differentiation approach, where the root imbalance is identified and addressed.
For Liver Blood/Yin Deficiency: Nourish Liver Blood and Yin, moisten dryness
For Kidney Yin Deficiency: Tonify Kidney Yin and Essence
For Wind-Heat/Liver Fire: Clear Heat, dispel Wind, and reduce inflammation
🔹 Acupuncture & Lifestyle Support
Acupuncture points help regulate Liver and Kidney function, clear excess Heat, and promote fluid production.
Dietary and lifestyle guidance includes:
Eat Liver-nourishing foods: black sesame seeds, goji berries, spinach, carrots
Avoid long hours on screens without breaks
Stay hydrated and avoid hot, dry, or windy environmentsPractice stress management and rest the eyes frequently
Eye Floaters – A TCM Perspective (Approx. 540 words)
Understanding and Treating "Flying Shadows" in the Field of Vision
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), eye floaters—the perception of small moving spots, threads, or “cobwebs” drifting in the field of vision—are often referred to as "flying shadows" (飞蚊症). Although not painful, floaters can be bothersome and are sometimes a sign of deeper internal disharmony. Unlike Western medicine, which typically views floaters as age-related changes in the vitreous humor, TCM focuses on the energetic imbalances within the body’s organ systems, especially those that nourish the eyes and maintain visual clarity.
🔹 Liver and Kidney Deficiency – The Root of Many Cases
According to TCM theory, the Liver opens into the eyes and governs vision. The Kidneys store Essence (Jing), which produces marrow and nourishes the brain and sensory orifices—including the eyes. Therefore, floaters are often associated with a deficiency of Liver Blood, Liver Yin, or Kidney Essence.
Liver Blood Deficiency: When Blood is insufficient, it cannot nourish the eyes, resulting in dry, tired eyes and the appearance of floaters. This often occurs in individuals with poor diet, chronic stress, or excessive mental activity.Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency: In cases where floaters are accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus, lower back weakness, and dry eyes, the root may lie in depleted Yin and Essence, often seen with aging or long-standing illness.
Tongue and pulse signs may include a thin or red tongue with little coating, and a fine or wiry pulse.
🔹 Qi and Blood Stagnation – Obstructing Clear Vision
In other cases, floaters may be caused by Qi and Blood stagnation, especially if the floaters appeared suddenly or are accompanied by a history of trauma, head injury, or emotional stress. Qi and Blood must flow smoothly to the eyes; when stagnation occurs, vision becomes blurred or obstructed.These cases may also present with eye pressure, headaches, or localized pain, and are treated by invigorating Blood, moving Qi, and unblocking the meridians to restore clarity.
🔹 TCM Treatment Principles for Floaters
The approach depends on identifying the root pattern:
Tonify Liver Blood and Yin
Nourish Kidney Essence
Move Qi and Invigorate Blood (in cases of stagnation or trauma)
Settle Liver Wind and Calm Shen (in stress-induced cases)
🔹 Acupuncture and Lifestyle Support
Acupuncture points commonly used include:
Lifestyle recommendations:
Avoid eye strain from excessive screen time
Get adequate sleep to preserve Liver and Kidney essence
Incorporate goji berries, black sesame, and dark leafy greens into the diet
Practice gentle eye exercises or qigong to encourage fluid circulation
Floaters may not be urgent from a Western standpoint, but in TCM, they are seen as signals of internal imbalance, particularly of Liver Blood or Kidney Essence. Addressing them early helps preserve vision and overall vitality as one ages.
Visual Fatigue – A TCM Perspective (Approx. 540 words)
Relieving Eye Strain by Nourishing Qi, Blood, and Yin
Visual fatigue, also known as eye strain, is a common modern complaint caused by prolonged visual tasks such as reading, computer use, or screen exposure. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the eyes are seen as closely connected to the Liver, and their function relies on adequate nourishment by Qi, Blood, and Essence. When these internal substances are deficient or blocked, it leads to symptoms like eye dryness, soreness, blurriness, heaviness, and light sensitivity.Rather than treating the eyes directly, TCM focuses on the whole-body pattern of imbalance, targeting the organ systems responsible for nourishing the eyes and ensuring the smooth flow of energy.
🔹 Liver Blood and Yin Deficiency – The Most Common Cause
In TCM, the Liver "opens into the eyes" and stores Blood. When Liver Blood is deficient—due to overwork, stress, lack of sleep, or poor diet—the eyes become under-nourished, leading to blurred vision, fatigue, and dryness. In chronic cases, Liver Yin Deficiency may also develop, resulting in dry eyes, irritability, red eyes, and dizziness.This condition is especially common in students, office workers, and anyone who uses their eyes excessively without adequate rest.Symptoms may include:
Dull or blurry vision after readingSoreness or tiredness in the eyes
Dizziness or dry eyes
Difficulty focusing, especially in the evening
🔹 Spleen Qi Deficiency – Failing to Produce Blood
The Spleen is the source of Qi and Blood in TCM. Weak Spleen function, caused by irregular eating, overthinking, or excessive work, can lead to a shortage of Blood to nourish the eyes. People with this pattern may also experience fatigue, loose stools, pale complexion, and poor concentration.
🔹 Kidney Essence Deficiency – Seen in Chronic or Age-Related Visual Fatigue
The Kidneys store Essence (Jing) and produce marrow, which nourishes the brain and eyes. When Kidney Essence is weak—often due to aging, overwork, or long-term illness—the eyes lose their vitality. This leads to visual fatigue that does not improve with rest, and is often accompanied by tinnitus, sore back, and low libido.
🔹 Treatment Principles in TCM
Treatment focuses on restoring the balance of Qi, Blood, and Yin to nourish the eyes and improve circulation.
Tonify Liver Blood and Yin
Strengthen Spleen Qi to generate Blood
Replenish Kidney Essence
🔹 Acupuncture and Supportive Therapies
Acupuncture can regulate energy flow and improve vision clarity:
Lifestyle & Diet Suggestions:
Eat more dark leafy greens, goji berries, and carrots
Avoid overuse of screens without breaks
Practice the “20-20-20” rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
Use warm compresses or herbal eye washes (e.g., chrysanthemum tea)
In TCM, visual fatigue is more than just tired eyes—it reflects deeper imbalances in the body’s energy and nourishment systems. Treating the underlying root helps improve not just eye comfort, but overall vitality and clarity of mind.
Age-Related Eye Conditions – A TCM Perspective
Preserving Vision by Replenishing Essence and Nourishing the Organs
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), age-related eye conditions—such as blurry vision, presbyopia (difficulty focusing on near objects), cataracts, or macular degeneration—are understood not simply as degenerative diseases, but as the result of a gradual decline in vital substances such as Qi, Blood, Yin, and Jing (Essence).As people age, the function of internal organs—especially the Kidneys, Liver, and Spleen—naturally declines. Since the eyes are connected to these organs, weakened organ function directly impacts vision. TCM treatment of age-related eye disorders focuses on strengthening the root, slowing degeneration, and preserving clarity of vision through nourishment and balance.
🔹 The Eyes and Their Organ Connections in TCM
The Liver is said to “open into the eyes” and governs vision. It stores Blood, which moistens and nourishes the eyes.The Kidneys store Essence (Jing) and produce marrow. Essence is critical for long-term health, growth, and sensory function—including vision.The Spleen is responsible for transforming food into Qi and Blood. Without a strong Spleen, there is insufficient nourishment for the entire body, including the eyes.
When these systems weaken over time, the result may include:
Blurred or dim vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Dryness or discomfort in the eyes
Slow adaptation to changes in light
Development of cataracts or retinal changes
🔹 TCM Patterns Commonly Seen in Age-Related Eye Issues
✅ Kidney Essence Deficiency
This is considered the most fundamental pattern in elderly patients with vision decline. As Jing diminishes with age, vision may fade, and other signs such as tinnitus, memory loss, sore back, and fatigue may be present.Treatment Principle: Replenish Kidney Essence and nourish marrow.
✅ Liver Blood and Yin Deficiency
This pattern often presents with dry eyes, blurry vision, dizziness, and irritability. Long-term Liver Blood Deficiency may result in poor circulation to the eyes, leading to structural changes such as cataracts or retinal degeneration.Treatment Principle: Nourish Liver Blood and Yin to moisten the eyes and restore function.
✅ Spleen Qi Deficiency
This pattern contributes to overall weakness and poor generation of Blood, which indirectly affects eye health. Other symptoms may include digestive issues, fatigue, and pale complexion.Treatment Principle: Strengthen the Spleen to generate more Blood and Qi.
🔹 Acupuncture Therapy
Acupuncture supports healthy aging by regulating organ function, improving blood flow, and nourishing the sensory orifices.
🔹 Lifestyle and Dietary Tips for Preserving Vision
Eat foods that support the Liver and Kidneys: black sesame seeds, walnuts, goji berries, Chinese yam, spinach, and carrots
Avoid overuse of the eyes (e.g., screen exposure, night reading)
Practice eye relaxation techniques and ensure regular sleep
Avoid alcohol, excessive salt, and greasy foods, which can aggravate Yin deficiency and internal Heat
✅ Conclusion
In TCM, age-related eye disorders are not viewed as inevitable or irreversible, but as signs of progressive internal decline that can be slowed and improved through personalized treatment. By nourishing the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen, and using herbal and acupuncture strategies, TCM offers a holistic path to preserve vision, maintain vitality, and support graceful aging.