Experiencing “internal heat” (a traditional Chinese medicine concept), eye inflammation, or keratitis—what should you eat?
Jun 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen You
Introduction
“Excessive internal heat” (a traditional Chinese medicine concept) can lead to eye inflammation and keratitis; thus, consuming foods rich in vitamins is recommended. For instance, vitamin A: dietary deficiency of vitamin A can result in vitamin A deficiency, impairing vision—particularly under low-light conditions such as overcast days or at night—and causing dry eyes. Severe deficiency may lead to night blindness, dry eye syndrome, corneal softening, and corneal ulcers. Increasing intake of vitamin A–rich foods helps maintain corneal health.
In daily life, numerous cases of keratitis still occur, but their underlying causes vary significantly. To achieve effective treatment, options include antibiotic therapy or corticosteroid therapy. Throughout the course of treatment, infection prevention is essential. Additionally, appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be administered to safeguard ocular health. So, what should one eat when experiencing “excess internal heat” (a traditional Chinese medicine concept), accompanied by eye inflammation and keratitis?
What to Eat for Eye Inflammation and Keratitis Associated with “Excess Internal Heat”
For eye inflammation and keratitis linked to “excess internal heat,” consume foods rich in vitamins—particularly vitamin A. Dietary deficiency of vitamin A can lead to vitamin A deficiency, resulting in impaired vision under low-light conditions (e.g., at dusk or night) and dry eyes. Severe deficiency may cause night blindness, xerophthalmia, corneal softening, or even corneal ulceration. Increasing intake of vitamin A–rich foods helps maintain corneal health and enhances visual clarity. The best dietary sources of vitamin A include liver, fish liver oil, and poultry eggs. Among these, chicken liver contains the highest concentration of vitamin A—several times greater than that found in carrots or pork liver—and may be consumed once weekly.
To prevent keratitis-related infections, it is crucial to cultivate good ocular hygiene habits and keep the eyes clean. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and dry them completely. Moreover, avoid rubbing the eyes with bare hands. Hands harbor abundant bacteria; frequent eye-rubbing introduces these pathogens into the eye, significantly increasing the risk of ocular inflammation.
In daily life, maintaining healthy lifestyle and dietary habits is essential. We hope this information proves helpful to you.
