📌 What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a common eye disease affecting millions of people with diabetes. It damages retinal blood vessels, causing blurred vision, eye floaters, and, in severe cases, even optic nerve atrophy and glaucoma.The disease progresses in two stages:
🔸 Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) – early stage, characterized by small hemorrhages and fluid leakage
🔸 Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) – advanced stage, with abnormal new blood vessel growth, which can lead to macular edema and neovascular glaucoma
📌 Western Medicine Treatment & Limitations
Currently, Western medicine treats diabetic retinopathy with the following eye care approaches:
✅ Blood sugar control – via oral medications or insulin therapy
✅ Anti-VEGF injections – drugs like Ranibizumab or Aflibercept help reduce abnormal blood vessel growth
✅ Laser photocoagulation – seals leaking blood vessels and prevents further damage
✅ Vitrectomy surgery – removes blood from the vitreous and repairs retinal detachment
🔸 Limitations:
🔻 Cannot restore damaged retinal blood vessels, only slows progression
🔻 Anti-VEGF therapy requires repeated injections, is expensive, and carries risks like infections or retinal detachment
🔻 Laser treatment may cause peripheral vision loss, affecting visual field
📌 How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treat Diabetic Retinopathy?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to treating eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Through acupuncture for eye health and herbal medicine, TCM improves blood circulation and supports optic nerve function.
✅ Herbal Treatment (Common Formulas):
🔸 Qi Ju Di Huang Wan – strengthens the Liver and Kidneys, suitable for early-stage cases
🔸 Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang – improves blood circulation in the retina and removes stagnation
🔸 Sheng Mai San – replenishes Qi and nourishes Yin, beneficial for visual fatigue
✅ Acupuncture Therapy (Recommended Points):
🔹 Acupuncture for myopia, dry eyes, and diabetic retinopathy helps restore ocular circulation, reducing retinopathy symptoms.
🔹 Recommended points: Jingming (BL1), Guangming (GB37), Taichong (LR3), Zusanli (ST36), Hegu (LI4).
👉 Many patients report improvements in eye floaters, uveitis, and hereditary eye disease with regular TCM ophthalmology treatments.
📌 TCM Ophthalmology Recommendations
The earlier the intervention, the better the prognosis. If you or your loved ones are suffering from diabetic retinopathy, consider TCM herbal therapy + acupuncture alongside proper blood sugar management to protect your vision!
📌 Looking for a TCM ophthalmology clinic in Singapore? Visit our eye doctors for holistic eye care!
📌 We specialize in Chinese medicine for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye syndrome.
📌 Find an eye clinic near you & book an appointment today: WhatsApp +65 8139 8627
📌 More on Traditional Chinese Medicine for Eye Diseases >> www.DoctorXiao.com