Eye Problems

"Eye Problems" Issue / Symptom Connections

Below you will find various relationships to, and potential clinical treatment approaches for eye problems.

Content Related to Eye Problems

It is critical to appreciate that in Chinese Medicine, treatment for "eye problems" is rarely focused on the symptoms exclusively. Alternatively, a practitioner is looking at the factors that led to the development of "eye problems" - i.e. the "cause(s)".

For non-practitioners, we recommend reading treating the "cause" and not the "symptoms" for more on the overall approach and the importance of the TCM diagnostic system in formulating treatment approaches.

Related Acupuncture Protocols

When developing an acupuncture protocol a practitioner is very often focusing on the causal diagnoses in Chinese Medicine terms, not on the condition itself. To illustrate and guide developing an acupuncture treatment for someone experiencing eye problems, this issue is referenced in the following acupuncture protocol section:

• View EX Huatuojiaji at C3 (Sides of Spine at C3)
  
      .5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of C3
  
      C3 innervates the eyes, sinuses, temporal lobe areas and and is used for a range of eye, vision and sinus issues.  In the right circumstances, combines well with Yintang and LI 4. Used extensively within the Tam Healing System and Tong Re…
• View EX Shangming (Upper Brightness)
  
      Directly below the midpoint of the arch of the eyebrow, just under the superior border of the orbit. Below Yuyao.
  
      Disorders of the eyelids, pterygium. Vision issues, optic nerve atrophy, glaucoma.
• View EX Xinming 1 ()
  
      Midpoint of the skin folds posterior to the earlobe, 5 fen anterior-superior to TH 17.
  
      Xinming points were discovered by clinicians in the 70's. A range of eye disease, macular edema, degeneration, glaucoma, etc. Facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, and other facial spasms (wind).
• View EX Xinming 2 ()
  
      At the depression 1 cun above the external end of eyebrow and 5 fen lateral.
  
      Xinming points were discovered by clinicians in the 70's. A range of eye disease, macular edema, degeneration, glaucoma, etc. Facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, and other facial spasms (wind).
• View HT 3 (Lesser Sea)
  
      With the elbow flexed, between the ulnar end of the cubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus.
  
      Pain, numbness, tremors, etc. of the lower arms a/or hands - Parkinson's, stroke. Good local point to move the Qi and Blood. Spirit disorders from phlegm a/or heat etiologies - epilepsy, depression, anxiety, nervousness, poor memory, fuz…
• View HT 9 (Lesser Surge)
  
      .1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail on the radial side of the little finger.
  
      Jing Well Point - clear heat a/or obstruction from the opposite end of the channel, eye pain a/or redness, mouth ulcerations, sores. Can be bled or needled for emotional disturbances - strong restlessness, anxiety, panic attacks, manic de…
• View LI 1 (Metal Yang)
  
      .1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail on the radial side of the index finger.
  
      Jing Well Point, for heat, pain, stagnation, especially at the opposite end of the channel, for eye and ear pain and inflammation, toothache. Bleed for high fever, coma  
• View LI 2 (Second Space)
  
      On the radial side of the index finger distal to the 2nd metacarpophalangeal joint in a depression at the border of the…
  
      Shown to increase saliva production and to effect the areas of the brain involved in saliva production. Useful for dry mouth (xerostomia). LI 2 & LI 3 are not used often clinically as LI 4 & LI 11 have broader applications. Sedat…
• View LI 4 (Union Valley)
  
      In the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.
  
      Releases the exterior for wind-cold or wind-heat syndromes Strengthens the wei qi, improves immunity Regulates the sweat glands, for excessive sweating tonify LI 4 then disperse KD 7 and vice versa. Any problem on the face - sense organ…
• View LI 14 (Upper Arm)
  
      On the radial side of the upper arm, 7 cun above LI 11 at the insertion of the deltoid muscle.
  
      Local point for pain in the shoulder and upper arm. Weakness in the upper arms Benefits the eyes - redness, swelling, pain. Scrofula  
• View SI 1 (Lesser Marsh)
  
      .1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail on the ulnar side of the little finger.
  
      Breast disorders of any etiology, insufficient lactation, mastitis, breast abscess, cysts. Jing Well Point, clear heat from the opposite end of the channel, for eye redness, earache, tinnitus, sore throat, stiff tongue. Headache, dizzine…
• View SI 2 (Front Valley)
  
      When a loose fist is made, at the ulnar end of the crease, distal to the 5th metacarpophalangeal joint at the junction …
  
      Local point for pain, swelling, numbness of the fingers.  As the water point it will remove heat - febrile disease, hot palms, darker urine. Clear heat from the opposite end of the channel, tinnitus, headache, sore throat, neck, ear and/o…
• View SI 3 (Back Ravine)
  
      When a loose fist is made, at the ulnar end of the distal palmar crease proximal to the 5th metacarpal phalangeal joint…
  
      Master Point of the GV, effects entire pathway. Pain in the scapula, arm a/or hand combine with local points. Stiff neck, cervical strain/sprain, pain of the back or neck. Occipital headaches, combine with local points. Night sweats, c…
• View ST 1 (Tear Container)
  
      Below the pupil, between the eyeball and the infraorbital ridge.
  
      Any eye issue, although ST 2 is a good alternative and arguably safer to needle. Excessive lacrimation, redness, dryness, painful a/or itchy eyes/eyelids, twitching of the eyelids. Visual disturbances, night blindness.
• View ST 2 (Four Whites)
  
      Below the pupil, in a depression at the infraorbital foramen.
  
      Any eye problem - red, painful and/or itchy eyes, excessive lacrimation, twitching of the eyelids. Facial paralysis. Good alternative to ST 1 and safer to needle for those not properly trained.
• View ST 4 (Earth Granary)
  
      Directly below the pupil, lateral to the corner of the mouth.
  
      Facial pain - Bell's palsy, facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, deviation of mouth from stroke, toothache. Inability to close the eye, eye twitching, itching, night blindness. Inability to eat. May be helpful for atrophy and/or move…
• View ST 5 (Great Reception)
  
      Anterior to the angle of the mandible on the anterior border of the masseter muscle in a groove-like depression (facial…
  
      Local point - Pain a/or swelling of the cheek/jaw, neck pain, lockjaw, toothache. Stiff tongue leading to speech problems, frequent yawning. Inability to close eye.
• View ST 8 (Head Corner)
  
      Directly above ST 7, .5 cun within the anterior hairline at the corner of the forehead, 4.5 cun lateral to the midline …
  
      Classically mentioned for "splitting headache; headache w/nausea/vomiting; headache w/eye pain (migraine)" - particularly for frontal headaches. Poor vision, twitching eyelids, eye pain, excessive tearing. Dizziness. Hair loss.
• View ST 44 (Inner Court)
  
      Proximal to the web margin between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones, in a depression distal and lateral to the 2nd meta…
  
      Ying Spring Point - Clears heat from the channel and organ - febrile disease with absence of sweating.  Useful for issues of the Face & Jaw along with LI 4 - toothache, facial pain, bell's palsy, stroke, sore throat, eye pain. Damp H…
• View UB 1 (Bright Eyes)
  
      In a depression, .1 cun above the inner canthus of the eye.
  
      Main point for all eye disorders especially from wind (internal or external), excess, a/or heat. Eye pain, strain, redness, swelling, itching, twitching, blurry vision, etc. Myopia, color blindness, night blindness. Glaucoma, optic nerv…
• View UB 2 (Bamboo Gathering)
  
      On the medial end of the eyebrow, directly above the inner canthus of the eye (on the supraorbital notch).
  
      Local point for sinus congestion a/or headache. Red, itchy, watery eyes - allergies. Use in facial massage for headaches with GB 20, ST 8, LI 4, and UB 60. Glaucoma, night blindness, blurry and/or weak vision. Generally, needle towards…
• View UB 4 (Deviating Turn)
  
      1.5 cun lateral to GV 24, or .5 cun inside the AHL at the junction of the medial 1/3 and lateral 2/3's distance between…
  
      Local point for headache and/or nasal issues. Headaches, particularly frontal/sinus, eye pain, vision issues (dimness, blurry). Nasal polyps, nosebleeds, allergies, rhinitis.
• View UB 5 (Fifth Place)
  
      .5 cun behind UB 4 or 1 cun above the AHL and 1.5 cun lateral to the AML or 1.5 cun lateral to GV 23.
  
      Local point for headache and/or eye pain. Epilepsy, yang ascension issues (manic episodes, dizziness, etc.) Sinus congestion, stuffy head.
• View UB 9 (Jade Pillow)
  
      1.3 cun lateral to GV 17 or 2.5 cun above the PHL, 1.3 cun lateral to the PML in depression level with GV 17.
  
      Expels wind-cold - nasal congestion, chills and fever, headaches from wind. Occipital headaches and/or neck pain, heavy head. Eye pain and/or redness, blurry vision. Unbalanced temperature/sweating - cold sensation in head with sweats, …
• View UB 18 (Liver Shu)
  
      1.5 cun lateral to GV 8, level with T9.
  
      Main point for all Liver related conditions in TCM terms - physical and psycho-emotional. Physical liver issues such as - hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis.  Generalized blood stagnation, qi stagnation, etc. Brightens the eyes - important p…