Dry Eyes in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different dry eyes patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Dry eyes, a common ocular condition, occur when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. This can lead to discomfort, such as a stinging or burning sensation, redness, and blurred vision.
Often a symptom of various environmental, lifestyle, or physiological factors, dry eyes can affect anyone, particularly those who spend a significant amount of time in front of screens or in dry, windy environments. Managing dry eyes is crucial for maintaining eye health and comfort.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches dry eyes from a holistic and integrative perspective, contrasting with the symptom-focused view of Western medicine. In TCM, dry eyes are not just an isolated ocular issue but are considered a manifestation of systemic imbalances in the body's Qi (vital energy), Yin, and Yang.
TCM emphasizes identifying the underlying patterns of disharmony causing dry eyes, as each pattern necessitates a unique treatment approach. This perspective reflects TCM’s commitment to addressing the root causes of symptoms for holistic healing.
TCM Patterns for Dry Eyes
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Dry eyes
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Dry eyes
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Blurry vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Withered and brittle nails, Vaginal dryness, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Late menstruation, Infertility, Melasma
Liver Yin Deficiency
Dry eyes
Along with: Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Night blindness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull pale complexion, Flushed cheekbones, Muscle weakness, Muscle cramps, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction, Night sweats, Vivid dreaming, Afternoon fever, Hot palms and soles, Preference for sipping
Wind
Causes: Dry eyes
Interior Wind
Dry eyes
Along with: Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder, Mouth deviation, Eye deviation, Tremors, Headaches, Limb numbness
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Dry eyes
Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Dry eyes
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Dry eyes
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Dry eyes
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Dry eyes
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Yang Excess
Causes: Dry eyes
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Dry eyes
Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Herbal Formulas for Dry Eyes
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dry eyes
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Nourishes the Yin
- Anchors the Yang
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Warms Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen and Lungs
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes Blood
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Qi
- Warms and tonifies Blood
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Bu Gan Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and regulates the Blood
- Nourishes the Liver Yin
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Feng Yin Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals
- Calms the Mind
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Tiao Gan Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes wind
- Invigorates the blood
- Clears heat
- Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
Gui Shao Di Huang Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Cools the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Increases Fluids
- Relaxes the sinews
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Interior Wind
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder...
He Che Da Zao Wan
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
- Regulates the periods
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Zuo Gui Yin
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Tonifies the Kidneys
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Qing Gu San
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat from Deficiency
- Alleviates steaming bone disorder
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Yi Guan Jian
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Addresses these dry eyes patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver
- Enriches the Kidneys
- Improves the vision
Addresses These Dry Eyes Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry eyes
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...