From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, what is dry eye syndrome?
Feb 27, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cui Xin
Introduction
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), dry eye syndrome is generally classified as "Bai Se Zheng" (white dryness syndrome). According to TCM theory, dry eye syndrome usually arises from depletion of yin fluids and impaired upward transportation of qi and blood, resulting in insufficient nourishment to the eyes. It may also be caused by unhygienic diet, frequent smoking and alcohol consumption, and eating spicy or irritating foods, which lead to damp-heat accumulation in the spleen and stomach, preventing clear qi from rising and depriving the ocular orifices of nourishment. Additionally, deficiency of the liver and kidneys with insufficient yin and blood can result in poor nourishment of the eyes, thus causing Bai Se Zheng.
Dry eye syndrome is generally referred to as "Bai Se Zheng" (white-dry syndrome) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
In TCM, dry eye syndrome usually arises from incomplete recovery after conditions such as sudden external wind-heat invasion or epidemic red-eye disease, leaving residual heat that consumes the body's yin fluids and impairs the upward transportation of qi and blood, resulting in insufficient nourishment to the eyes. It may also be caused by unhygienic diet, frequent smoking, alcohol consumption, and eating spicy or irritating foods, leading to damp-heat accumulation in the spleen and stomach, impaired rising of clear qi, and inadequate nourishment to the ocular orifices. Additionally, deficiency of the liver and kidneys with insufficient yin and blood can lead to poor nourishment of the eyes, causing Bai Se Zheng. Symptoms may include eye dryness, soreness, mild redness, photophobia, and tearing.
When the above conditions occur, patients are generally advised to seek professional medical guidance for pattern differentiation and appropriate treatment with suitable medications.
