Dry Eyes
目干涩 · mù gān sè+4 other namesHide other names
Also known as: Dry eye syndrome, Chronic dry eye syndrome, Dry and gritty eyes, Eye dryness or twitching
Dry eyes are rarely just about the eyes. In TCM, the root is almost always a deeper imbalance - depleted Yin, blocked fluids, or both - and most people notice their eyes, energy, and overall comfort improving together within 3 to 6 weeks of targeted herbs and acupuncture.
About this page · what it is and isn't
What this is. A plain-English synthesis of how classical TCM and modern clinical research describe dry eyes. Patterns and herbs come from canonical TCM sources; clinical claims are cited in the Evidence section.
What it isn't. A diagnosis. Me&Qi is an editorial team, not a licensed clinic. The pattern quiz is a thinking tool — pulse and tongue still need a person in the room. Anything in the Safety section should send you to a doctor, not a herb.
Last reviewed Jun 2026.
Educational content about Traditional Chinese Medicine — not medical advice. See a qualified practitioner for diagnosis and treatment.
Dry eyes aren't a single condition in TCM - they're a signal that your body's inner moisture system needs attention. Where conventional medicine focuses on replacing tears from the outside, TCM looks deeper: Is your Liver and Kidney Yin running dry? Are your Lungs failing to spread fluids upward?
Or is sticky Damp-Heat blocking nourishment from reaching your eyes? Each cause requires its own treatment, which is why the same artificial tears don't work for everyone. Below, you'll find the four most common TCM patterns behind dry eyes, so you can understand what your symptoms are really telling you.
Dry eye syndrome occurs when your tears can't provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. This can happen either because your eyes don't produce enough tears, or because the tears they do produce are of poor quality and evaporate too quickly. Common symptoms include a stinging, burning, or gritty sensation, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and paradoxically, watery eyes as the eye overcompensates for the dryness. Diagnosis is typically made through a symptom questionnaire and eye exam, sometimes with tests to measure tear production and tear film stability. Risk factors include aging, hormonal changes, prolonged screen time, certain medications, and autoimmune conditions like Sjögren's syndrome.
Conventional treatments
Standard treatment usually begins with artificial tears and lubricating eye drops to replace moisture. For moderate to severe cases, doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops like cyclosporine or lifitegrast, or use punctal plugs to block tear drainage. Additional measures include warm compresses, eyelid hygiene for blepharitis, and omega-3 supplements. In some cases, oral antibiotics or autologous serum eye drops are used.
Where conventional treatment falls short
Artificial tears and prescription drops provide temporary relief by adding or retaining moisture on the eye's surface, but they don't address why your body stopped producing enough quality tears in the first place.
Anti-inflammatory drops can reduce surface inflammation but may have side effects like burning or blurred vision with long-term use. Punctal plugs help keep tears from draining away but can't improve the tear film's composition. For many people, the underlying dryness persists or returns as soon as treatment stops, because the deeper imbalance - whether it's systemic Yin deficiency, chronic inflammation, or poor fluid metabolism - remains untreated. TCM aims to correct that root imbalance so your eyes can stay comfortable on their own.
How TCM understands dry eyes
In TCM, dry eyes are not simply a lack of tears - they are a sign that the body's system of fluid production and distribution is out of balance. The eyes are considered the opening of the Liver, and they depend on a continuous supply of nourishing Yin and Blood to stay moist and comfortable. When the Liver and Kidneys, which store the body's deepest Yin reserves, become depleted, the eyes are among the first places to feel the drought.
This is why dry eyes often appear alongside lower back ache, night sweats, and a feeling of heat in the palms - all signs that the body's cooling, moistening resources are running low.
But the Liver and Kidneys aren't the only players. The Lungs govern the spreading of fluids to the upper body, including the eyes. When Lung Yin is weak, the misting function fails, and dryness settles in the eyes, throat, and skin. Meanwhile, the Spleen and Stomach are responsible for transforming food and drink into usable fluids. If they become bogged down by Damp-Heat - a sticky, inflammatory congestion - clear fluids can't ascend to the eyes, leaving them dry even while the mouth feels sticky and the digestion is sluggish. And when both Qi and Yin are depleted, the body lacks both the energy to push fluids upward and the fluids themselves.
This means that two people with the same Western diagnosis of dry eye syndrome may need completely different TCM treatments. One might need deep Yin nourishment with goji berries and prepared rehmannia, while another needs to clear Damp-Heat with herbs like Job's tears and cardamom before the eyes can moisten again. The key is identifying which pattern - or combination of patterns - is driving the dryness in your particular case.
「白涩症者，不肿不赤，但觉干涩不爽。」
"White astringent syndrome: there is no swelling or redness, only a sensation of dryness and discomfort in the eyes."
How a TCM practitioner diagnoses dry eyes
Inside the consultation
A practitioner first asks about accompanying sensations. If dry eyes come with blurred vision, dizziness, a sore lower back, and night sweats, the picture is often Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. The tongue is typically red with little coating, and the pulse feels thin and rapid - signs that the body’s deep moisture reserves are depleted, leaving the eyes without enough tears.
When dry eyes are paired with a dry cough, hoarse voice, and a scratchy throat, Lung Yin Deficiency becomes the leading suspect. Here the lungs cannot spread fluids upward to moisten the eyes. The tongue is also red with scant coating, but the respiratory symptoms and absence of lower back trouble help distinguish it from the Kidney-Liver pattern.
If the eyes feel gritty and dry yet the mouth feels sticky and the tongue has a greasy yellow coating, Damp-Heat in the Stomach and Spleen is likely. This pattern blocks clear yang from rising to the eyes while internal heat thickens fluids. A heavy sensation in the body, poor appetite, and loose or sticky stools are common clues that point away from pure dryness and toward damp-heat.
When fatigue, a weak voice, and shortness of breath accompany dry eyes, Qi and Yin Deficiency is often at play. The body lacks both the energy to transport fluids and the moisture itself. The tongue may be pale or slightly red with little coating, and the pulse is weak and thready. This pattern blends signs of exhaustion with dryness, distinguishing it from the other patterns where energy levels are less affected.
TCM Patterns for Dry Eyes
In TCM, the aim is to address the root cause, not just the symptom — it calls that root cause a “pattern.” The same dry eyes can come from several different patterns, each treated differently. The quickest way to find yours is the quiz below.
Find your pattern
Tap any sign that fits how yours feels.
- 1Your signs
- 2What makes it worse
- 3What helps
Which signs match your experience?
It’s common to see a bit of yourself in more than one pattern. Dry eyes can result from different imbalances, and the body often shows overlapping signs. For example, someone with Lung Yin Deficiency may also feel tired, hinting at a Qi component. This overlap is normal because these patterns represent dynamic processes, not fixed categories.
To narrow things down, notice which symptom is strongest and what makes it better or worse. If rest noticeably improves the dryness, Qi Deficiency may be central. If greasy or spicy foods make the eyes and mouth feel stickier, Damp-Heat likely plays a role. Paying attention to such triggers can help you see which pattern is most prominent.
Because these patterns can blend together, a professional diagnosis using tongue and pulse examination is invaluable. A practitioner can detect subtle signs - like a pale tongue body with a greasy coating - that point to a mixed picture of Qi Deficiency and Damp-Heat, something difficult to untangle on your own.
If the dryness is severe, affects your vision, or comes with pain or sudden changes, see a professional promptly. Even with milder symptoms, when self-observation leaves you confused, a TCM practitioner can design a personalized strategy that addresses the root imbalance rather than just the surface dryness.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Lung Yin Deficiency
Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen
Qi and Yin Deficiency
Treatment
Four ways to address dry eyes in TCM — explore each, or take the quiz to see what fits you first.
Formulas traditionally used for dry eyes
4 formulas across the patterns above. The right one depends on your pattern — start with the quiz if you're unsure which fits.
A classical formula that nourishes the Liver and Kidneys to support eye health and clear vision. It is used for blurred vision, dry eyes, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing in wind, dizziness, and ringing in the ears caused by Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency. Built on the famous Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) with the addition of goji berry and chrysanthemum flower for their vision-supporting properties.
A classical formula designed to nourish the body's moisture and cool the Lungs, primarily used for dry, sore throats with a parched feeling in the nose and mouth. It is well suited for chronic sore throat, dry cough, and throat inflammation that arise from an underlying deficiency of the body's fluids, leaving the Lungs and throat dry and vulnerable to irritation or infection.
A classical formula designed to clear dampness and mild heat that has become trapped throughout the body, especially when dampness is the dominant problem. It is commonly used for conditions involving a heavy body feeling, poor appetite, chest stuffiness, and afternoon fever, often seen in hot and humid weather or with lingering infections.
A classical three-herb formula used to restore vitality when both Qi and body fluids have been depleted. It addresses fatigue, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, dry throat, and weak pulse caused by heat exhaustion, chronic illness, or prolonged coughing that has weakened the Lungs. In modern practice, it is also widely used as supportive treatment for heart conditions including heart failure and irregular heartbeat.
Most people notice their eyes feeling less gritty and more comfortable within 2 to 4 weeks of starting herbs and weekly acupuncture. Excess patterns like Damp-Heat often respond faster, while long-standing Yin deficiencies may need 3 to 6 months of consistent treatment to fully rebuild the body's moisture reserves. Even as symptoms improve, continuing treatment for a full course helps prevent relapse.
Treatment principles
The unifying goal in TCM treatment for dry eyes is to restore the production and upward distribution of nourishing fluids to the eyes. How this is achieved depends entirely on the underlying pattern. For Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, the priority is deep nourishment of Yin and essence; for Lung Yin Deficiency, it's about moistening the Lungs to support their fluid-spreading function.
In Damp-Heat patterns, the strategy shifts to clearing the sticky obstruction that blocks clear Yang from rising, while simultaneously protecting Yin. Qi and Yin Deficiency requires a dual approach of boosting energy to move fluids and replenishing the moisture itself. Because many patients show a mix of patterns, a skilled practitioner adjusts the formula over time, often starting with the most prominent imbalance and then fine-tuning as the eyes improve.
What to expect from treatment
Your TCM practitioner will likely recommend a combination of acupuncture and a custom herbal formula. Acupuncture sessions are typically once or twice a week initially, with points chosen to address your specific pattern - nourishing Yin, clearing Damp-Heat, or boosting Qi. Herbs are taken daily, usually as a tea, powder, or pills.
In the first 2 to 4 weeks, you may notice your eyes feeling less gritty and your need for artificial tears decreasing. As treatment continues, accompanying symptoms like dry mouth, fatigue, or poor sleep often improve as your body's overall fluid balance is restored. For chronic, long-standing dryness, steady progress over several months is the norm; occasional maintenance treatments may help sustain results after the initial course.
General dietary guidance
In TCM, dry eyes signal a need to replenish the body's fluids and Yin. Favour foods that are moistening and cooling: pears, apples, watermelon, cucumber, spinach, tofu, millet, barley, and especially goji berries, which directly benefit the eyes. Bone broths, congee, and soups help build Yin. Avoid or limit foods that dry out the body: spicy peppers, garlic, onions, coffee, black tea, alcohol, and fried or overly roasted foods. If your pattern involves Damp-Heat, also reduce rich, greasy, and sugary foods that create internal dampness. Sip warm or room-temperature water throughout the day rather than iced drinks, which can shock the digestive system and impair fluid metabolism.
Combining TCM with conventional treatment
TCM treatment for dry eyes works well alongside conventional care and can often reduce dependence on artificial tears over time. Continue using your prescribed eye drops, ointments, or oral medications as directed. There are no known direct interactions between Yin-nourishing or Dampness-clearing herbs and common dry eye medications like cyclosporine or lifitegrast. However, if you are taking blood-thinning medications (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel), inform your TCM practitioner, as some herbs like Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) may have mild antiplatelet effects. Always bring a complete list of your medications and supplements to your TCM consultation. Do not stop or alter any prescribed medication without consulting the doctor who prescribed it.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Safety & special considerations
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Sudden vision loss or a dark curtain over part of your vision — This could indicate a retinal detachment or vascular event and requires immediate emergency care.
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Severe eye pain with nausea or vomiting — Acute angle-closure glaucoma can cause these symptoms and can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
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Red, painful eye with sensitivity to light and blurred vision — These may be signs of iritis, keratitis, or a corneal ulcer, which need urgent ophthalmologic evaluation.
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Double vision or sudden onset of crossed eyes — New double vision can signal a neurological problem or vascular issue affecting the nerves that control eye movement.
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Eye pain after an injury or chemical splash — Trauma to the eye requires immediate medical attention to prevent infection or structural damage.
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Flashes of light or a sudden increase in floaters — These can be early warning signs of a retinal tear or detachment, especially if accompanied by peripheral vision loss.
Audience-specific guidance — open what applies to you
Pregnancy naturally consumes Yin and Blood, which can make dry eyes more pronounced, especially in patterns like Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. Treatment should be gentle and focus on dietary therapy-goji berries, pears, and black sesame seeds are excellent moistening foods. Acupuncture can be used safely, but points like Sanyinjiao (SP-6) are generally avoided during pregnancy due to their potential to stimulate uterine contractions; instead, Taixi (KI-3) and Ganshu (BL-18) are preferred.
Herbal formulas like Qi Ju Di Huang Wan are considered relatively safe during pregnancy when prescribed by a qualified practitioner, but any formula containing Mu Dan Pi or other blood-moving herbs should be used with caution. The guiding principle is to nourish Yin without dispersing or moving Qi too strongly. Mild Lung Yin Deficiency patterns can be addressed with food-based remedies and steam inhalation rather than herbs.
Most Yin-nourishing herbs used for dry eyes-such as Gou Qi Zi, Shan Yao, and Mai Dong-are considered safe during breastfeeding and can even support milk production. However, bitter-cold herbs that clear Damp-Heat, like Huang Qin, should be used sparingly as they can pass into breast milk and may cause infant diarrhoea. Acupuncture is an excellent, drug-free option that poses no risk to the nursing infant.
Breastfeeding is itself a drain on Qi and Blood, so patterns of Qi and Yin Deficiency or Blood Deficiency may become more apparent during this time. Treatment should simultaneously support lactation and moisten the eyes, often with a focus on the Spleen and Stomach to ensure adequate fluid production and upward distribution.
Dry eyes in children are increasingly common due to prolonged screen time and dry indoor environments. The most frequent patterns are Lung Yin Deficiency (often with a dry cough) or Qi and Yin Deficiency (with fatigue and poor appetite). Children cannot always articulate the gritty sensation, so parents should watch for frequent eye rubbing, excessive blinking, or avoidance of bright light.
Treatment is primarily dietary and lifestyle-based: reducing screen time, using humidifiers, and incorporating moistening foods like pear juice and congee. Herbal doses are significantly reduced-typically one-quarter to one-half the adult dose depending on age-and acupressure or gentle pediatric tuina can replace acupuncture. Avoid bitter or overly cold herbs that may damage the developing Spleen.
In the elderly, dry eyes are overwhelmingly due to Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, often compounded by a lifetime of fluid depletion. Treatment must be slower and gentler, with lower herbal dosages (usually two-thirds of the standard adult dose) to avoid overwhelming a constitution that may already be frail. Polypharmacy is a real concern, so a TCM practitioner should review all medications for potential interactions.
Acupuncture is well tolerated and can provide significant relief, but points should be needled with lighter stimulation. Dietary therapy and lifestyle adjustments-such as using a humidifier, staying well-hydrated, and eating soft, moistening foods-form the foundation of care. Improvement is gradual, and patients should be counseled that reversing years of Yin deficiency takes time.
Evidence & references
Research on TCM for dry eyes has grown steadily, though the overall quality remains moderate. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that acupuncture can significantly improve tear film breakup time and Schirmer test scores compared to artificial tears alone. The evidence for Chinese herbal medicine is promising but largely published in Chinese-language journals, with fewer high-quality English-language RCTs.
Formulas like Qi Ju Di Huang Wan and Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang have shown benefit in small trials, often improving both subjective symptoms and objective tear production. However, many studies suffer from small sample sizes and lack of blinding. Overall, TCM offers a well-tolerated, holistic approach that may be especially useful for patients who do not respond adequately to conventional lubricating eye drops.
Key clinical studies
This meta-analysis pooled data from multiple RCTs and found that acupuncture significantly improved tear film breakup time and Schirmer I test scores compared to artificial tears, with a low risk of adverse events.
Acupuncture for dry eye: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Liu Z, et al. Acupuncture for dry eye: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019;2019:9272715.
In this RCT, patients taking Qi Ju Di Huang Wan showed significant improvement in dry eye symptoms, tear secretion, and corneal staining scores compared to placebo, supporting its use for Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency pattern.
Efficacy of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan in treating dry eye syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Zhang M, et al. Efficacy of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan in treating dry eye syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2018;38(5):754-760.
This review analyzed 18 RCTs and concluded that Chinese herbal medicine, particularly formulas nourishing Yin and moistening the Lungs, was more effective than artificial tears in improving symptoms and tear film stability, though methodological quality was variable.
Chinese herbal medicine for dry eye: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Chen Y, et al. Chinese herbal medicine for dry eye: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2020;11:572.
Classical text references
One quote is featured above in the Understanding section — the rest are listed here for the classically inclined.
「液竭则精不灌，精不灌则目无所见矣。」
"When fluids are exhausted, essence cannot irrigate [the eyes], and when essence cannot irrigate, the eyes lose their ability to see clearly."
Ling Shu (Miraculous Pivot)
Chapter 80
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about using Traditional Chinese Medicine for dry eyes.
Yes. While eye drops replace moisture on the surface, TCM works to restore your body's own ability to produce and distribute tears. This means treating the underlying imbalance - whether it's a Yin deficiency in the Liver and Kidneys or a blockage from Damp-Heat - rather than just masking symptoms. Many people who have tried artificial tears for months without lasting relief find that herbs and acupuncture gradually improve their natural tear production and comfort, often within a few weeks.
Most people notice a difference within 2 to 4 weeks of consistent treatment. Excess patterns like Damp-Heat may respond faster, while Yin-deficient patterns that have built up over years may take 3 to 6 months to fully rehydrate the eyes. Acupuncture once or twice a week combined with daily herbal formulas typically shows initial improvement in eye comfort, reduced grittiness, and less reliance on artificial tears within the first month.
Focus on moistening, Yin-nourishing foods like pears, goji berries, black sesame seeds, spinach, and cucumber. Avoid drying and heating foods such as spicy dishes, deep-fried foods, excessive coffee, and alcohol, which can further deplete your body's fluids. For Damp-Heat patterns, reduce greasy, sweet, and dairy-heavy foods that create internal dampness. Eating small, regular meals and staying well-hydrated with room-temperature water also supports tear production.
Yes, TCM can safely complement most conventional dry eye treatments. Continue using your prescribed drops or medications as directed. Herbal formulas and acupuncture work systemically and do not interfere with topical eye treatments. Always inform both your TCM practitioner and your eye doctor about all treatments you're using so they can coordinate care. If you're taking oral medications for other conditions, bring the full list to your TCM consultation.
Acupuncture for dry eyes typically uses points on the legs, feet, back, and around the eyes. Common points include Taixi (KI-3) and Ganshu (BL-18) to nourish Liver and Kidney Yin, Feishu (BL-13) and Taiyuan (LU-9) to support Lung Yin, and Zusanli (ST-36) with Sanyinjiao (SP-6) to build Qi and Yin. Local points near the eyes may be needled very gently or stimulated with moxibustion. Your practitioner selects points based on your specific pattern.
Acupuncture is generally safe during pregnancy when performed by a trained practitioner, though some points are avoided. Herbal formulas require more caution; many Yin-nourishing herbs are safe, but a qualified TCM practitioner will tailor the prescription specifically for pregnancy. Always tell your practitioner if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. For urgent eye symptoms or sudden vision changes, seek immediate medical care regardless of pregnancy status.
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