Ms. Chen Lin, when approaching her fifties, spent more than 10 hours each day in front of her computer screen. She developed cataracts and her right eye turned white, due to extreme myopia that exceeded 1000 degrees. She visited a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner who taught her specific eye exercises. Despite the advancement of her disease, after six months of daily practice, her cataracts disappeared. Patients with severe cataracts require surgical treatment, which involves an intraocular lens implant to improve vision. For patients with mild to moderate cataracts, it may be possible to reverse them through traditional Chinese medicine treatment (TCM) combined with home eye care techniques, according to Mr. Wu. Cataract patients have lower levels of peroxidase (enzymes involved in speeding up various oxidative reactions) in their serum and aqueous humor, making it difficult to resist oxidative damage. According to modern pharmacological studies, many medicinal plants and natural products used in traditional medicine have antioxidant and anti-cataract effects. In TCM, the liver has a direct connection to the eyes. If one’s liver becomes deficient, one’s vision will be affected too. Sleeping late, long screen hours, and reading for long periods can all directly harm the liver, says Mr. Xiao. It is worth noting that the terminologies such as spleen, stomach, liver, and kidney used in TCM do not correspond exactly to the anatomical organs in Western medicine. They refer to the energy systems associated with these organs, rather than just the anatomical structures. As Mr. Xiao puts it, the five organs are defined through their functions, with each organ related to the others. Therefore in TCM, balance within the body’s internal energy is vital in the treatment of the patient. Mr. Wu noted that because each person’s body is different, one should consult a TCM practitioner before using any herbs. 1. Tonifying Herbs 2. Blood-Activating Herbs 3. Vision-Clearing Herbs Mr. Wu combined this ancient eye care method with acupoint massage around the head and eyes to create a routine of eye exercises. One of his patients, Ms. Chen, had, as stated above, myopia of nearly 1000 degrees by the age of 25. Since she was about to travel to
Italy for six months and could not continue treatment, Mr. Wu advised her to do the eye exercises daily. She diligently practiced them for six months. When she returned to the hospital for a check-up, she found that the cataracts had disappeared. The following are step-by-step instructions for the eye exercises and massage techniques illustrated below: Why target this area specifically? There are small branches of the supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves located just above the pupils, and gentle massage in this area can enhance circulation and improve nerve function. The Cuanzhu, Jingming, Tongziliao, and Sizhukong acupoints are located around your eyes. Gently press and massage these acupoints with the middle and index fingers of both hands, repeating 14 times. Massaging these acupoints improves blood circulation around the eyes and relaxes the nerves on both sides of the head. Massage the Fengchi acupoint at the back of the head 14 times. Specifically, the acupoint is located below the occipital bone behind the ear, in the depression within the hairline. People often look at their phones and computers with their heads lowered for extended periods. This posture can cause tension in the tendons at the Fengchi acupoint at the back of the head, resulting in eye pain. Massaging the Fengchi acupoint can quickly alleviate eye soreness and pain, leading to clearer vision. 1. Blink Frequently 2. Rotate Your Eyes 3. Take Frequent Breaks