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Whenever the eyes are bright and capable of clear vision, the condition is treatable. If the gaze is dull and unable to recognize people, or if the eyes roll upward, stare fixedly without blinking, remain round and fixed, exhibit "Dai Yan" (eyes staring upward with retracted eyeballs), present opisthotonos (arching of the back), or have sunken eyelids, these are all untreatable conditions.

If the patient keeps their eyes open, seeks brightness, desires to see people, speaks excessively, and is restless and active, this indicates a Yang syndrome. (This occurs because Yang Qi is exuberant, and the body attempts to dissipate heat through movement. However, in cases of febrile disease where the patient dislikes sunlight and fire, it is due to aversion to external factors that exacerbate internal heat.)

If the patient keeps their eyes closed, dislikes light, does not wish to see people, speaks little, and dislikes movement, this indicates a Yin syndrome. (When Yin is excessive, Yang becomes deficient, hence the aversion to movement which would further disperse Yang. Conversely, in cases of Yang deficiency where the patient prefers sunlight, it is because they welcome its assistance in supporting healthy Qi.)

Eye pain constitutes a Taiyang exterior syndrome of the Yangming channel. Redness of the eyes indicates excess heat in the meridians and collaterals.

Yellowing of the sclera accompanied by sweating on the head suggests impending jaundice. Yellowing of the white part of the eye also indicates impending jaundice. Blurred vision ("Bu Liao Liao," meaning unclear, akin to being hazy after exposure to smoke) indicates Excess Syndrome of the Stomach Fu-organ. Lack of coordination in eye movements (indistinct boundaries between the black and white parts of the eye, similar to the colloquial term for partial blindness) indicates severe internal heat.

Vertigo of the eyes is caused by Phlegm-Fire. Slight swelling of the eyelids indicates the presence of fluid retention. A grayish hue under the eyes indicates Cold-Fluid retention. Eyelids appearing sooty black indicate Cold-Phlegm. Black orbits with red cheeks indicate Hot-Phlegm. Black orbits accompanied by difficulty walking and groaning indicate Phlegm-Fluid penetrating into the bones. Black orbits with a sallow-red complexion like earth, flaccid paralysis of the four limbs, and difficulty bending or extending them indicate Wind-Phlegm.

A yellowish halo around the eyes indicates that the disease is about to resolve.

Eye pain with red vessels running from top to bottom indicates a Taiyang disease. (The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian is referred to as the "Upper Net" of the eyes.) Red vessels running from bottom to top indicate a Yangming disease. (The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is referred to as the "Lower Net" of the eyes.) Red vessels running from the outside toward the inside indicate a Shaoyang disease. (The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian runs behind the lateral canthus.)

In Scrofula (Luo Li, lymphatic tuberculosis) presenting with alternating chills and fever, if red vessels extend vertically to the pupil: seeing one vessel predicts death in one year; (because the pathogenic factor is sharp and concentrated.) seeing one and a half vessels predicts death in one and a half years; seeing two vessels predicts death in two years; seeing two and a half vessels predicts death in two and a half years; seeing three vessels predicts death in three years. (Because the pathogenic factor is dispersed and slow-moving.)