Night Blindness in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different night blindness patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Night blindness, or nyctalopia, refers to difficulty in seeing in low-light conditions. It is not a disease but rather a symptom of an underlying condition affecting the retina, where rod cells that assist in low-light vision are compromised. This visual impairment can lead to challenges in navigating or driving at dusk or dawn and can significantly affect the quality of life.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a 'pattern' is a comprehensive analysis of a person's health issues, encompassing not just the symptoms but also the underlying disharmony causing them. Recognizing a pattern is crucial because it guides the practitioner to a tailored treatment strategy.
For night blindness, identifying whether the pattern stems from a Blood Deficiency or a Yin Deficiency, for instance, is vital. This diagnosis informs the choice of acupuncture points, herbal formulas, and lifestyle adjustments. It's this nuanced approach that allows TCM to address not just the symptom of night blindness, but to nurture the body's overall well-being, aiming for long-term improvement and prevention.
TCM Patterns for Night Blindness
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Diminished night vision
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
Diminished night vision
Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety, Easily startled, Dull pale complexion, Pale lips, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Night blindness, Tingling of limbs, Limb numbness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Muscle cramps, Muscle weakness, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction, Withered and brittle nails
Liver Blood Deficiency
Diminished night vision
Along with: Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness, Dizziness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Eye floaters, Night blindness, Amenorrhea, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction, Vivid dreaming
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Diminished night vision
Liver Yin Deficiency
Diminished night vision
Along with: Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Dry eyes, 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
Blood Stasis
Causes: Diminished night vision
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
Diminished night vision
Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Dull pale complexion, Weak limbs, Diarrhea, Emaciation, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Night blindness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness, Muscle cramps, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction
Herbal Formulas for Night Blindness
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address night blindness
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Dull pale complexion, Weak limbs...
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Bu Gan Tang
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and regulates the Blood
- Nourishes the Liver Yin
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Sheng Yu Tang
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Preserves the Blood
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Dull pale complexion, Weak limbs...
Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin and Blood
- Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind
- Calms the Liver
- Anchors the yang
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety...
Yi Guan Jian
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood and augments the Yin
- Moderates painful spasms
- Alleviates pain
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Dull pale complexion, Weak limbs...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness...
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Addresses these night blindness patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Beautifies hair
Addresses These Night Blindness Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Diminished night vision
Accompanying symptoms:
Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness...