Acupuncture for Optic Nerve and Vision Loss

By Makari Wellness, updated September 5, 2026

Understanding optic nerve atrophy and diabetic neuropathy in TCM

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), optic nerve atrophy and diabetic neuropathy are deeply linked to systemic deficiencies that impair the vital circulation of blood and nourishment to the body's tissues, including the eyes and peripheral nerves. While Western medicine views these conditions through the lens of nerve degeneration, ischemia and metabolic dysfunction, TCM interprets them as imbalances in the Liver, Kidney and Spleen organ systems. When Liver Blood is insufficient, the eyes are deprived of vital nourishment. When Kidney Yin is depleted, the fundamental essence that supports nerve health is weakened. Additionally, chronic blood stasis (obstruction of blood flow) is thought to add to the degeneration of nerve tissue behind vision loss and neuropathy symptoms. Watch our optic nerve atrophy and diabetic neuropathy video.

Common TCM patterns linked to optic nerve and diabetic neuropathy

Through the lens of TCM, several patterns help explain these degenerative conditions:

• Liver Blood and Liver Yin Deficiency: dry eyes, blurred vision, floaters, muscle spasms, brittle nails and dizziness. Common in optic nerve atrophy.
• Kidney Yin and Jing (Essence) Deficiency: progressive vision loss, hearing weakness, lumbar soreness and premature aging, often seen in long-standing diabetic neuropathy.
• Qi and Blood Stasis: sharp pain, numbness, tingling, purple tongue and dark under-eyes are classic signs of blood flow obstruction, common in diabetic neuropathy.
• Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness: fatigue, edema, heaviness in the limbs and slow tissue healing, which worsen neuropathic symptoms.

Learn about the Liver and Kidney connection to eye conditions.

Integrative TCM treatments for optic nerve and diabetic neuropathy

Our TCM strategies address both symptom relief and the underlying pattern:

• Acupuncture: points such as GB37 (Bright Light), UB18 (Liver Shu) and KI3 (Great Ravine) are used to promote ocular circulation and nourish the Kidney system, with the aim of supporting optic nerve function.
• Chinese herbal medicine:
  • Qi Ju Di Huang Wan: tonifies Liver and Kidney Yin; traditionally used for blurred vision and eye dryness.
  • Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang: traditionally used to expel wind-damp and strengthen Kidney and Liver; classically associated with chronic pain patterns.
  • Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang: traditionally used to boost Spleen Qi and raise clear yang, in classical terms to keep damp from accumulating.
• Dietary therapy: blood-enriching and yin-nourishing foods like black beans, goji berries, mulberries, spinach, walnuts and seaweed.
• Adjunct therapies: moxibustion for warming the meridians and cupping for encouraging blood flow in affected limbs.

Learn about Blood and Yin support in TCM.

Scientific evidence on TCM for vision and neuropathy health

Modern research has begun to look at many traditional observations. A 2022 meta-analysis published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported improvements in retinal circulation and visual acuity with acupuncture in people with optic neuropathy, though the studies pooled were small. Another study in Neural Regeneration Research found that acupuncture and herbal therapies improved nerve regeneration markers, inflammatory cytokines and peripheral nerve conduction velocities in animal models of diabetic neuropathy. Proposed mechanisms include:

• Increasing nitric oxide and vasodilation in microvessels surrounding nerves and retina.
• Regulating neurotrophic factors like NGF (nerve growth factor), which support axonal growth.
• Reducing oxidative stress markers and preserving mitochondrial function in nerve cells.

These findings are early, but they offer a bridge between TCM theory and modern biomedical research, and encourage integrative approaches to eye and nerve health.

Examples of TCM pattern differentiation for Western diagnoses

• Diabetic neuropathy: often categorized as "Damp-Heat Sinking into the Lower Jiao" if there is burning foot pain, redness and swelling, or "Qi and Blood Deficiency with Blood Stasis" if the main presentation is numbness and tingling without overt inflammation.
• Optic nerve atrophy: considered a "Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency" pattern when there is gradual vision decline without pain, or "Blood Stasis Blocking the Meridians" if vision loss is sudden with sharp sensations behind the eye.
• Retinal degeneration: typically read as "Essence and Blood Deficiency," with dry, brittle vessels and impaired nourishment to retinal tissue.

Holistic vision and neuropathy support at Makari Wellness

At Makari Wellness, we practice integrative, evidence-informed Chinese medicine. Our tailored therapies aim to support circulation, nourish neural structures and help slow degenerative processes. Every treatment plan is customized based on detailed pulse, tongue, abdominal palpation and symptom analysis to identify the underlying conformation patterns and address them at the root. We cannot promise a specific outcome, and care continues alongside your eye doctor. Book online to start a personalized plan for your eye and nerve health.

This is general wellness information, not medical advice. Continue care with your ophthalmologist and physician.

Formulas here illustrate how pattern diagnosis shapes treatment. They are not recommendations; a practitioner selects and adjusts formulas for the individual.

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