Vision Problems

"Vision Problems" Issue / Symptom Connections

Below you will find various relationships to, and potential clinical treatment approaches for vision problems.

Content Related to Vision Problems

It is critical to appreciate that in Chinese Medicine, treatment for "vision problems" is rarely focused on the symptoms exclusively. Alternatively, a practitioner is looking at the factors that led to the development of "vision problems" - i.e. the "cause(s)".

For non-practitioners, we recommend reading treating the "cause" and not the "symptoms" for more on the overall approach and the importance of the TCM diagnostic system in formulating treatment approaches.

Related Acupuncture Protocols

When developing an acupuncture protocol a practitioner is very often focusing on the causal diagnoses in Chinese Medicine terms, not on the condition itself. To illustrate and guide developing an acupuncture treatment for someone experiencing vision problems, this issue is referenced in the following acupuncture protocol section:

• View EX Huatuojiaji at C3 (Sides of Spine at C3)
  
      .5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of C3
  
      C3 innervates the eyes, sinuses, temporal lobe areas and and is used for a range of eye, vision and sinus issues.  In the right circumstances, combines well with Yintang and LI 4. Used extensively within the Tam Healing System and Tong Re…
• View EX Xinming 1 ()
  
      Midpoint of the skin folds posterior to the earlobe, 5 fen anterior-superior to TH 17.
  
      Xinming points were discovered by clinicians in the 70's. A range of eye disease, macular edema, degeneration, glaucoma, etc. Facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, and other facial spasms (wind).
• View EX Xinming 2 ()
  
      At the depression 1 cun above the external end of eyebrow and 5 fen lateral.
  
      Xinming points were discovered by clinicians in the 70's. A range of eye disease, macular edema, degeneration, glaucoma, etc. Facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, and other facial spasms (wind).
• View PC 1 (Celestial Pool)
  
      1 cun lateral to the nipple in the 4th ICS.
  
      Window of the Sky Point, opens the chest - fullness, counterflow qi, cough with phlegm. Headache, blurred vision, axillary sweating, malarial disorders, difficulty moving the limbs. Breast disorders, breast abscess, insufficient lactatio…
• View SI 6 (Nursing the Aged)
  
      Dorsal to the head of the ulna in the body cleft on the radial side of the styloid process, found with the palm facing …
  
      Acute and Severe Pain, in the neck, shoulder a/or arms. Useful point for treating elderly patients, deafness, tinnitus, failing vision, upper body/limb stiffness. Overwork a/or overstrain, fatigue in the extremities.  
• View SI 7 (Branch to the Correct)
  
      5 cun proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the SI 5 to SI 8 line.
  
      Local point for pain and/or strength/control issues in the elbow, arm, and fingers.  May be helpful for weakness of all the limbs as well. Stiff neck, headaches, vision issues - blurry, obstructed. Useful with onset of exterior wind-heat…
• View ST 1 (Tear Container)
  
      Below the pupil, between the eyeball and the infraorbital ridge.
  
      Any eye issue, although ST 2 is a good alternative and arguably safer to needle. Excessive lacrimation, redness, dryness, painful a/or itchy eyes/eyelids, twitching of the eyelids. Visual disturbances, night blindness.
• View ST 2 (Four Whites)
  
      Below the pupil, in a depression at the infraorbital foramen.
  
      Any eye problem - red, painful and/or itchy eyes, excessive lacrimation, twitching of the eyelids. Facial paralysis. Good alternative to ST 1 and safer to needle for those not properly trained.
• View ST 8 (Head Corner)
  
      Directly above ST 7, .5 cun within the anterior hairline at the corner of the forehead, 4.5 cun lateral to the midline …
  
      Classically mentioned for "splitting headache; headache w/nausea/vomiting; headache w/eye pain (migraine)" - particularly for frontal headaches. Poor vision, twitching eyelids, eye pain, excessive tearing. Dizziness. Hair loss.
• View UB 4 (Deviating Turn)
  
      1.5 cun lateral to GV 24, or .5 cun inside the AHL at the junction of the medial 1/3 and lateral 2/3's distance between…
  
      Local point for headache and/or nasal issues. Headaches, particularly frontal/sinus, eye pain, vision issues (dimness, blurry). Nasal polyps, nosebleeds, allergies, rhinitis.
• View UB 6 (Light Guard)
  
      1.5 cun posterior to UB 5 or 2.5 cun above AHL and 1.5 cun lateral to the AML.
  
      Local point generally for headaches and vision issues - clears heat and wind. Headaches particularly with visual dizziness. Visual issues - blurry vision. Wind-heat conditions when there is no sweating - vomiting, nasal discharge, etc. …
• View UB 10 (Celestial Pillar)
  
      1.3 cun lateral to GV 15 in a depression or .5 cun above the PHL and 1.3 cun lateral to the PML on the lateral aspect o…
  
      Relieves pain - neck issues, stiffness, ROM, occipital headache. For stiffness on one-side of the neck combine with SI 3 on the same side & GB 39 on the opposite side.  Upper back pain and/or shoulder pain. Clears wind and relieves ex…
• View UB 18 (Liver Shu)
  
      1.5 cun lateral to GV 8, level with T9.
  
      Main point for all Liver related conditions in TCM terms - physical and psycho-emotional. Physical liver issues such as - hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis.  Generalized blood stagnation, qi stagnation, etc. Brightens the eyes - important p…