Optic atrophy is a chronic eye disorder marked by gradual degeneration of the
vision acuity . At the early stage there is only blurring of vision , but at the
late stage the eye sight may be totally lost .
a ) Deficiency of the liver and kidney yin :
Main manifestations : Dryness of the eyes , blurred vision , dizziness ,
tinnitus , nocturnal emission , aching of the lower back , thready and weak
pulse , reddened tongue with scanty coating .
Analysis : Dryness of the eyes and blurred vision are due to failure of the
essential nutrients to nourish the eyes in deficiency of the liver and kidney
yin . The lumbus is the seat of the kidney . When the kidney is in a deficiency
state , there is aching of the lower back . Deficiency of the kidney yin may
lead to nocturnal emission when there is hyperactivity of the asthenic fire ,
and to dizziness and tinnitus when there is yang preponderance . Thready and
weak pulse , reddened tongue with scanty coating are signs of yin deficiency .
b ) Deficiency of qi and blood :
Main manifestations : Blurred vision , weakness of breath , disinclination to
talk , lassitude , poor appetite , loose stools , thready and weak pulse , pale
tongue with thin white coating .
Analysis : The essential qi of all the zang - fu organs flows up to the eyes .
When qi and blood in a deficiency state can not nourish the eyes , the vision
becomes blurred . Qi deficiency of the spleen and stomach causes weakness of
breath , disinclination to talk , lassitude , poor appetite and loose stools .
Thready and weak pulse , pale tongue with thin and white coating are signs of
deficiency ofqi and blood .
c ) Stagnation of the liver qi :
Main manifestations : Blurred vision , emotional depression , dizziness ,
vertigo , hypochondriac pain , bitter taste in the mouth , dry throat and
string - taut pulse .
Analysis : The liver has its specific body opening in the eyes . Stagnation
of the liver qi causes general obstruction of qi and blood which fail to
ascend to nourish the eyes . So the vision is blurred . The Liver Meridian
passes by the hypochondriac region , so there is hypochondriac pain when the
liver qi is stagnated . Retarded qi may turn into fire , which flares up to
cause dizziness , vertigo , bitter taste in the mouth and dry throat .
String - taut pulse is the sign of a liver disease .
Method : To reinforce the liver and kidney and nourish qi and blood by
puncturing the points of the Foot - Shaoyang and Taiyang Meridians with
reinforcing method for deficiency of the liver and kidney yin and deficiency
ofqi and blood . Even movement is applied to the same points to remove the
stagnation of the liver qi .
Prescription : Fengchi ( G 20 ) , Jingming ( B 1 ) , Qiuhou ( Extra ) , Guangming ( G
39 ) .
Deficiency of the liver and kidney yin : Taichong ( Liv 3 ) , Taixi ( K 3 ) ,
Ganshu ( B 18 ) , Shenshu ( B 23 ) .
Deficiency ofqi and blood : Zusanii ( S 38 ) , Sanyinjiao ( Sp 6 ) .
Stagnation of the liver qi : Qimen ( Liv 14 ) , Taichong ( Liv 3 ) , Yanglingquan
( G 34 ) .
Explanation : The Foot - Shaoyang and Taiyang Meridians connect with the eye
region , so Fengchi ( G 20 ) , Guangming ( G 37 ) , Jingming ( B 1 ) are selected to
regulate the qi circulation in the meridians and to improve the eyesight .
Qiuhou ( Extra ) is an extra point effective for eye diseases . Ganshu ( B 18 ) ,
Shenshu ( B 23 ) , Taixi ( K 3 ) and Taichong ( Liv 3 ) are used to reinforce the yin
of the liver and kidney . Zusanii ( S 36 ) and Sanyinjiao ( Sp 6 ) reinforce qi and
blood . Qimen ( Liv 14 ) , Taichong ( Liv 3 ) and Yanglingquan ( G 34 ) remove
stagnation of the liver qi .
