Vital Benefits of Acupuncture for Dry Eyes

Dry eyes occur when your tears cannot provide enough lubrication for your eyes. Tears may become inadequate for many reasons, including the eye’s inability to produce enough tears or if the tears are of low quality. Tear instability may lead to inflammation or damage of the eye’s surface.

People with dry eyes feel discomfort described as stinging or burning. You may experience the signs of dry eyes in specific situations, including flying on a plane, sitting in an air-conditioned room, while riding a bike, or after spending a couple of hours in front of a computer screen.

You can treat dry eyes with different methods. Apart from eyedrops and preventive measures, you should consider herbs and acupuncture for dry eyes. These two symptoms treatments originate from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and they are incredibly efficient for solving various eye conditions. Acupuncture and herbs for dry eyes are often used together to provide better and more long-lasting outcomes.

This article will lead you through the most common symptoms, causes, and most effective dry eye symptoms treatments – acupuncture and herbs.

Various factors may affect the tear film, which consists of three layers – fatty oils, aqueous fluid, and mucus. This combination is vital for keeping the surface of your eyes lubricated, smooth, and clear. Dry eyes may result from damage to any of these layers.

Dry eyes are commonly caused by an autoimmune disease, hormone changes, inflamed eyelid glands, or allergic eye disease. Some people may develop dry eyes due to reduced tear production or increased tear evaporation.

Untreated, dry eyes may lead to mild or severe complications, such as eye infections, eye inflammation, or decreased life quality. Dry eyes may affect your daily activities, such as reading, driving, or computer work.

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The original goal of acupuncture is to restore balance and establish general well-being. It involves using small, thin, and stainless steel needles to stimulate the flow of qi, vital energy that flows through invisible pathways in the body, known as meridians. A certified acupuncturist stimulates acupoints located near these meridians, encouraging the flow of two vital “forces” in the human body – blood and qi.

When performing acupuncture for dry eyes, a licensed practitioner may use 13 to 19 needle sites, including those near the orbits and areas in the foot and the hand. Still, the exact approach will depend on your overall health and the severity of your condition. Most practitioners include lubricant eyedrops in acupuncture treatments to deliver better results.

Dry eye can be successfully treated with acupuncture and other integrative TCM treatments. Regular therapies can alleviate ocular discomfort followed by burning, stinging, blurred vision, and other common dry eye signs.

Traditional Chinese medicine observes dry eye syndrome due to excess heat and yin and yang imbalance of internal organs. These inconveniences often lead to inflammatory conditions, hormonal imbalances, and similar disorders that might affect your health and daily activities. Any TCM treatment aims to nourish the affected organ while strengthening an entire organism.

Acupuncture Point for Dry Eyes

Once a practitioner determines the cause of your dry eye syndrome, they choose the primary acupoints that should be addressed for the best results. The most commonly selected acupuncture points for dry eyes are:

• BL1 (Jingming)
• BL2 (Zanzhu)
• MHN9 (Taiyang)
• ST2 (Sibai)
• LI4 (Hegu)
• SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
• GB20 (Fengchi)
• KD3 (Taixi).

By addressing these acupoints (and others, if necessary), an acupuncturist will remove excess wind and heat, stimulating qi and blood circulation to the eyes.

Chinese Herbs for Dry Eyes

Herbal therapies are efficient in treating dry eye syndrome and other eye conditions whose progression might lead to vision loss. Certified TCM practitioners usually recommend herbal formulas to enhance the effects of acupuncture. You will receive the right formula based on your unique condition and dry eye causes.

A licensed Chinese herbalist often prescribes the following herbal remedies for dry eyes:

• Zhu Jing Wan (Preserve Vistas Pill) tonifies and nourishes the kidneys and liver while enriching the yin and improving vision.
• Ming Mu Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia Pills to Brighten the Eyes) resolves the deficiencies leading to dry eyes – liver blood deficiency, kidney yin deficiency, liver yin deficiency, etc.
• Xiao Yao San (Rambling Powder) supports the flow of the liver meridian energy.
• Chrysanthemum and goji berry tea has potent heat-clearing properties essential for resolving dry eyes symptoms. Goji berries are beneficial for the lungs, kidneys, and the liver, helping build yin fluids, such as tears. It’s recommended to eat the berries after drinking the tea.

There are more effective remedies for dry eye, and your practitioner may recommend them based on your overall condition. It is not recommended to take any formula on your own since certain ingredients may interfere with the medication you’re taking. Make sure you consult a licensed herbalist before choosing a particular formula.

However, these 5 natural remedies are totally safe to take, and you can add them to your diet to reduce the signs of dry eye:

• Turmeric: Also known as curcumin, this superfood can protect against various diseases, including dry eye. You can sprinkle turmeric on the food to enhance its taste and nutritional value.
• Paprika: Being rich in vitamin A, paprika is an excellent solution for dry eye syndrome. Since it is incredibly versatile, you can add it to salads, fish, chicken, and eggs.
• Bilberry: This fruit is beneficial for eye health, especially when you have dry, itchy eyes. You can take bilberry supplements or drink tea made from bilberry leaves.
• Mint: Boil 10-12 mint leaves, let the solution cools, and use a clean face cloth to apply it to your eyes. The mint stimulates tear production and makes your eyes energized and refreshed.
• Chamomile: This herb is known for its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help the eyes restore their moisture.

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