What a Vision-Focused Evaluation at Makari Looks Like
An initial vision evaluation at Makari is a clinical examination, not a sales consultation. The goal is pattern assessment — understanding the specific TCM picture underlying your eye condition, so that the treatment plan (acupuncture point selection, herbal formula, supplement guidance) is matched to your actual presentation rather than to your Western diagnosis.
Here is what happens and why.
What You Bring
- Recent ophthalmology reports and test results — OCT imaging, visual acuity, intraocular pressure readings, visual-field tests, and any imaging from your retinal specialist. These are the objective clinical data we work alongside.
- A complete medication and supplement list. All herbal prescribing requires this review before any formula is dispensed.
- Your full health history, which you complete before arriving (online paperwork, PC or tablet preferred).
What We Assess
Five-Wheels Eye Observation
The examination begins at the eye. Using the Five Wheels framework, the practitioner reads each anatomical region of the eye — iris/cornea (Wind Wheel/Liver), canthi (Blood Wheel/Heart), eyelids (Flesh Wheel/Spleen), whites (Qi Wheel/Lung), pupil and inner structures (Water Wheel/Kidney) — for color, surface quality, vascular pattern, and other classical signs. This takes approximately 10–15 minutes and is the primary differentiator of an eye-focused TCM examination from a general acupuncture intake.
Tongue and Pulse Assessment
Standard TCM diagnostic tools that reveal constitutional information the eye map alone doesn’t provide: the depth and quality of Kidney Yin and Jing deficiency, the presence of Blood stasis or Damp accumulation, the state of the Spleen’s transforming and transporting function. These findings confirm and refine the wheel-based picture.
Symptom and History Interview
When did the eye symptoms begin? What was happening in your life and health around that time? How has it progressed? What exacerbates it, what eases it? What have you tried? How does it interact with sleep, stress, digestion, energy? These questions place the eye picture in its constitutional context.
Western Diagnosis and Ophthalmology Records Review
Your OCT imaging, visual acuity records, and ophthalmologist’s notes are reviewed — not to duplicate their clinical work, but to understand the stage and type of your condition, which shapes realistic expectations about what supportive acupuncture and herbal medicine can reasonably offer at this stage.
What We Don’t Do
- We do not perform ophthalmologic testing. Tonometry, OCT imaging, visual-field mapping, visual acuity — these belong with your ophthalmologist.
- We do not make Western-medical diagnoses.
- We do not advise you to stop prescribed medications. Glaucoma medications, anti-VEGF injections, corticosteroids — these are managed by your prescribing physician.
- We do not offer free consultations. Meaningful pattern assessment requires examination, and examination takes time.
Coordination With Your Eye Care Team
We work alongside your ophthalmologist — not as a replacement for them. We communicate with your eye care team when useful and appropriate, welcome shared records, and encourage patients to continue their scheduled ophthalmology appointments throughout any course of care with us. If you arrive without an established ophthalmologist, we will provide referral guidance before proceeding with the Vision Program.
After the Evaluation
The initial evaluation ends with a summary of your TCM pattern picture, a proposed treatment plan (acupuncture structure + initial herbal formula), and a clear discussion of what we expect to see at the week-8 re-evaluation. If the pattern picture suggests that this work is unlikely to offer meaningful supportive benefit — or if your expectations are outside what we can honestly offer — we will say so.
Initial evaluation fee: $200, applied to your Vision Program package if you proceed.
Supportive Care Disclaimer
Pattern-based TCM assessment does not substitute for ophthalmologic examination or diagnosis. Patients should maintain regular care with their eye care team. Individual results vary. This is not a substitute for medical evaluation or treatment.