How Traditional Chinese Medicine Supports Eye Health and Vision

Eye health: A traditional Chinese medicine perspective

Good vision is essential for daily life, yet many people experience eye discomfort, strain, or gradual vision changes without understanding the deeper causes. While modern treatments focus on correcting symptoms, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a different approach, viewing eye health as a reflection of overall balance in the body. According to TCM, the eyes are closely connected to internal organ function, circulation, and energy flow, making holistic care an essential part of maintaining clear vision and preventing discomfort.

Rather than addressing eye issues in isolation, TCM emphasizes restoring harmony within the body to support long-term eye health. This includes a combination of acupuncture, herbal remedies, dietary guidance, and lifestyle practices designed to nourish the eyes and promote better vision. By looking beyond temporary relief, TCM offers a natural way to strengthen and protect eyesight, making it a valuable complement to conventional eye care.

The TCM Perspective on Eye Health

The Liver’s Role in Vision

In TCM, the liver is the primary organ responsible for eye health, often described as the organ that “opens to the eyes.” This means the liver’s ability to store and regulate blood directly affects vision clarity, hydration, and adaptation to light. When the liver is strong, it provides steady nourishment to the eyes, ensuring they stay moist, focused, and able to adjust between bright and dim environments.

However, if the liver becomes deficient, stagnant, or overheated, the eyes are among the first to show signs of distress. Strain, blurriness, dryness, night blindness, and floaters can arise, signaling deeper imbalances that need attention.

Liver Meridian and Eye Health

The Liver meridian is one of the primary energy channels influencing vision. It runs through the inner canthus of the eyes and is responsible for transporting vital energy (Qi) and blood to ocular structures. When Liver Qi stagnation or blood deficiency occurs, symptoms such as eye strain, redness, itching, or pain may develop. Other related conditions include tension headaches, dizziness, and visual disturbances.

Five-Wheel Theory and Eye Diagnosis

In TCM, the Five-Wheel Theory is used to categorize eye disorders based on their connection to the five Zang organs:

• Blood Wheel (Heart)—related to the conjunctiva and blood vessels in the eyes; imbalances may cause redness, irritation, or bleeding.
• Qi Wheel (Lung)—governs the cornea and sclera; dryness and cloudy vision may indicate a deficiency in Lung Qi.
• Wind Wheel (Liver)—controls the iris; Liver imbalances can result in poor adaptation to light, blurred vision, or floaters.
• Water Wheel (Kidney)—linked to the pupil; deficiencies may lead to night blindness, cataracts, or vision loss.
• Flesh Wheel (Spleen)—associated with the eyelids; weak Spleen Qi may contribute to droopy eyelids, puffiness, or infections.

This diagnostic framework helps TCM practitioners tailor treatments to address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of eye disorders.

Factors That Weaken the Liver’s Influence on the Eyes

Various lifestyle and environmental factors can disrupt the liver’s ability to nourish the eyes, including:

• Prolonged screen exposure without rest
• Irregular sleep patterns that reduce blood production
• Nutrient-deficient diets lacking liver-supportive foods
• Chronic stress and emotional strain leading to stagnation
• Overwork or exhaustion depleting Liver Blood

When these stressors accumulate, the flow of Qi and blood to the eyes is compromised, resulting in visual discomfort and fatigue.

Symptoms of Liver Blood Deficiency Affecting the Eyes

Blurry Vision

The optic nerve, retina, and cornea require a steady blood supply to maintain focus and clarity. When this support weakens, vision becomes inconsistent—clear one moment and hazy the next. Those with Liver Blood deficiency may notice their eyesight worsens after extended screen time, reading, or late-night work.

Dry Eyes

A lack of Liver Yin and Blood reduces the body’s ability to produce and maintain tears. This leads to sensations of grittiness, irritation, and burning. Dry environments, prolonged computer use, and natural aging exacerbate the issue, making blinking feel insufficient to keep the eyes comfortable.

Night Blindness

Seeing in the dark relies on healthy blood circulation to the retina’s rod cells, which process dim light. When the liver fails to deliver adequate nourishment, the eyes struggle to adapt. Driving at night, recognizing faces in low light, and adjusting to darkened rooms become progressively more difficult.

Floaters & Light Sensitivity

Floaters—those tiny specks drifting across vision—often indicate Qi stagnation and Liver Blood deficiency. TCM sees them as a sign of poor circulation preventing proper nourishment of eye tissues. Similarly, heightened sensitivity to light (photophobia) suggests an imbalance in Liver Blood and Yin, making the eyes overreact to brightness and glare.

Risks of Ignoring Eye Health in TCM

Neglecting eye health can lead to progressive vision decline and chronic discomfort. TCM emphasizes early prevention to maintain long-term clarity and function.

Potential Consequences:

• Chronic Eye Strain – Excessive screen time and stress weaken Liver Qi and Blood, causing fatigue, headaches, and blurred vision.
• Degenerative Eye Conditions – Deficiencies in Liver and Kidney function contribute to macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma.
• Dry Eyes & Inflammation – Poor circulation leads to irritation, light sensitivity, and redness.
• Night Vision Loss – Weak Liver Blood reduces adaptation to darkness, affecting night driving and brightness adjustments.
• Floaters & Visual Disturbances – Poor blood flow causes visual specks, flashes, and instability.

At What Age Should Eye Care Begin?

TCM promotes lifelong prevention, as vision issues develop gradually.

Key Stages of Eye Care:

✔ Ages 5–18: Protect against screen overuse, digital eye strain, and early myopia.
✔ Ages 18–40: Prevent dry eyes, tension headaches, and focus issues from stress and overwork.
✔ Ages 40–60: Strengthen Liver and Kidney function to slow age-related vision decline.
✔ 60+: Maintain tear production, prevent macular degeneration, and support long-term clarity.

TCM Practices for Eye Health

Acupuncture for Vision Enhancement

Acupuncture plays an important role in improving blood circulation to the eyes, stimulating optic nerve function, and relieving strain. Specific acupuncture points commonly used for eye health include:

• BL-1 (Jingming)—enhances circulation in the eye and relieves strain.
• GB-20 (Fengchi)—reduces tension headaches and eye fatigue.
• LI-4 (Hegu)—helps with eye inflammation and general vision support.
• ST-36 (Zusanli)—boosts overall energy and blood circulation, indirectly benefiting the eyes.

Herbal Formulas for Eye Health

TCM utilizes various herbal formulas to nourish the eyes and address specific conditions:

• Mingjing granule—protects retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells from damage and enhances phagocytosis.
• HB01 formula—reduces choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and hemorrhaging, improving visual acuity.
• Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan—used for dry eye disease (DED) to stabilize tear film and decrease corneal epithelial cell degeneration.
• Qiming granule—extends tear film break-up time, enhances tear secretion, and repairs corneal damage.
• Modified Ming Mu Di Huang decoction—used for retinitis pigmentosa (RP), protecting photoreceptor cells and delaying disease progression.
• Bai Ji Li (Tribulus terrestris)—improves overall vision clarity and relieves eye redness.
• Gou Qi Zi (Goji berries)—a well-known TCM herb that strengthens the Liver and benefits the eyes.
• Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum flower)—clears heat and detoxifies the Liver, reducing eye strain and irritation.
• Long Yan Rou (Longan fruit)—enhances blood circulation to the eyes and prevents vision fatigue.

TCM Dietary Recommendations for Eye Health

A balanced diet that supports liver function is essential for maintaining clear vision. Foods beneficial for eye health in TCM include:

• Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, bok choy)—rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, protecting against age-related vision decline.
• Goji berries (Lycium barbarum)—a well-known blood and Yin tonic that enhances vision and reduces oxidative stress.
• Egg yolks—contain essential nutrients like vitamin A, which prevents night blindness.
• Eels and lamb’s liver—considered highly nourishing for Liver Blood and vision.
• Mulberries and wolfberries—help nourish the Blood and prevent degenerative eye diseases.
• Red amaranth and Gynura bicolor—support healthy circulation to the eyes.
• Blueberries and grapes—contain antioxidants that protect retinal cells from damage.
• Black wood ear mushrooms—promote better blood circulation and prevent dryness in the eyes.
• Carrots and sweet potatoes—high in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A for eye health.

Acupressure for Eye Health

Massaging specific acupressure points can relieve eye strain and improve circulation to the eye muscles. Effective points include:

• Taiyang (Sun point)—relieves headaches and eye fatigue.
• BL-2 (Zanzhu)—reduces eye puffiness and tension around the brows.
• ST-1 (Chengqi)—stimulates blood flow to the eyes and prevents dryness.
• LV-3 (Taichong)—soothes Liver Qi stagnation, reducing eye redness and discomfort.

Lifestyle Adjustments to Protect Vision

TCM encourages daily habits that help maintain healthy Liver Blood flow and eye nourishment:
✔ Take regular screen breaks to reduce strain
✔ Incorporate eye massages to stimulate circulation
✔ Get consistent sleep to allow blood replenishment
✔ Manage stress through breathwork or meditation

TCM Perspective on Eye Diseases

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

TCM recognizes the connection between Liver and Kidney deficiencies in AMD. Herbal formulas used to manage AMD include:

• Shi Hu Ye Guang Wan—nourishes Yin and Blood to protect the retina.
• Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra berry)—strengthens the eyes and slows degeneration.
• Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustrum lucidum)—replenishes Kidney Yin and benefits vision.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)

RP is often linked to Kidney and Liver deficiencies in TCM. Treatments focus on nourishing these organs and protecting the retina with:

• Modified Ming Mu Di Huang decoction—slows retinal degeneration.
• Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus fruit)—strengthens the Kidney and Liver to support long-term vision.
• Gou Qi Zi (Goji berry)—improves photoreceptor function and prevents further decline.

Dry Eye Disease (DED)

TCM attributes dry eyes to a deficiency in Yin, Liver Blood, or excessive heat in the body. Treatments focus on nourishing fluids and promoting balance:

• Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan—nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin to retain moisture.
• Qiming granule—enhances tear film stability and secretion.
• Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus)—moistens dryness and cools the body.
• Sang Ye (Mulberry leaf)—relieves heat and inflammation in the eyes.

The TCM Approach to Lifelong Eye Health

Protecting vision requires a proactive and holistic approach. While Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on strengthening Liver Blood, improving circulation, and addressing imbalances that affect the eyes, modern eye care provides essential diagnostics and corrective treatments. Each approach offers unique benefits, and many individuals choose to integrate both for comprehensive eye health management.

At ACA Acupuncture and Wellness, we specialize in TCM-based treatments that support natural vision health through acupuncture, herbal remedies, and dietary guidance. By addressing the root causes of eye strain, dryness, and visual fatigue, TCM helps maintain clarity, comfort, and long-term eye function.