What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome occurs when tear production is insufficient or tears evaporate too quickly, leading to:
✅ Dry, gritty sensation in the eyes
✅ Eye fatigue and excessive tearing
✅ Redness, burning, and discomfort
✅ Blurred vision and light sensitivity
Risk factors include prolonged screen time, environmental pollution, aging, contact lens use, and excessive eye strain.
How is Dry Eye Treated in Western Medicine? What Are Its Limitations?
Common Western treatments include:
🔹 Artificial tears – Provides temporary relief but does not address the underlying cause
🔹 Punctal plugs – Blocks tear drainage to retain moisture but may increase the risk of infection
🔹 Anti-inflammatory eye drops (cyclosporine, steroids) – Reduces inflammation but may cause side effects such as increased eye pressure and cataract risk
🔹 Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy – Helps with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) but is costly and may not work for all patients
While Western treatments offer short-term symptom relief, they do not regulate the body’s natural tear production or improve tear quality, leading to recurrent symptoms.
How Can Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Help?
According to TCM, dry eye syndrome is linked to imbalances in the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen systems. Common patterns include:
🔹 Liver & Kidney Yin Deficiency – Dry eyes with sensitivity to light, dizziness, tinnitus
🔹 Spleen Qi Deficiency – Blurred vision, fatigue, poor digestion
🔹 Qi & Blood Deficiency – Persistent dryness, cold hands and feet
1. How Acupuncture Helps with Dry Eyes
Acupuncture improves ocular blood circulation, stimulates tear secretion, and reduces inflammation. Key acupuncture points include:
✅ Jingming (BL1), Cuan Zhu (BL2) – Opens eye meridians and promotes tear stability
✅ Fengchi (GB20), Taiyang (EX-HN5) – Relieves eye strain and tension
✅ Hegu (LI4), Taixi (KI3) – Balances overall body energy and nourishes the eyes
✅ Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6) – Enhances digestion and boosts Qi & Blood
2. How Herbal Medicine Regulates Tear Secretion
🔹 Qi Ju Di Huang Wan – Nourishes Liver & Kidney Yin for dry, irritated eyes
🔹 Shen Ling Bai Zhu San – Strengthens digestion and relieves fatigue-related dry eyes
🔹 Si Wu Tang – Enhances blood circulation for chronic dryness
Modern studies show that Scutellaria, Cassia Seed, Dendrobium, and Ophiopogon have anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and tear-promoting properties.
Clinical Trial on TCM & Acupuncture for Dry Eye Syndrome
📍 Background of the Clinical Study
In June 2018, a three-year clinical trial in Singapore was completed, exploring the efficacy of combining artificial tears with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments such as acupuncture and herbal medicine for Dry Eye Syndrome. The study was conducted as a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) with 150 patients aged 40 to 85 years, monitored over four weeks.
Researchers found that many participants exhibited a syndrome known as Lung-Kidney Yin Deficiency, which aligns with TCM’s understanding of dry eye. As a result, the study incorporated acupuncture (AC) or herbal medicine (HB) in addition to artificial tears (AT) to assess the effectiveness of an integrative treatment approach
📍 Study Groups & Results
✔ AT Group (Artificial Tears Only): 72% improvement in symptoms
✔ AC Group (Artificial Tears + 8 Acupuncture Sessions): 88% improvement, a 16% increase over AT group
✔ HB Group (Artificial Tears + Oral Herbal Medicine): Showed promising results, pending further research
Additionally, participants in the AC group exhibited a more significant reduction in conjunctival redness compared to the AT group, indicating that acupuncture not only stabilizes tear production but also enhances microcirculation and reduces inflammation.
Consult Us & Restore Your Eye Comfort!
If you or your loved ones are struggling with dry eye syndrome, visit our TCM Ophthalmology Clinic for a personalized treatment plan!
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