《龙木论》曰∶眼疾有七十二般内障,二十三候外障,四十九候病状,一一不同。据其
疾状,认识既不差错,治疗少有所凭。
谨按∶诸候详见本论。然内障为黑水神光昏翳,外障则有翳膜者是。今论中虽见诸候,
而所用药多本风热,故并略云。然内障有因于痰热气郁、血热阳陷、阴虚脱营所致,种种病
因,皆略之不议。况外障之翳,有起于内 、外 、睛上、睛下、睛中,当视其翳色从何络
而来。如东垣治例∶魏邦彦夫人目翳,从下而上,病自阳明来也。绿非五色之正,殆肺肾合
而为病也。乃就画家以墨调腻粉合成色,谛视之,与翳色同矣。肺肾为病者无疑,乃泻肺肾
之邪,而以入阳明之药为之使。既效,而他日复病作者三。其所从来之经,与翳色各异。因
询此必经络不调,目病未已,问之果然。如所论治之,疾遂不作。若此凭其色,究其所兼所
本之因,处治而不愈者,盖邪蕴日久而实,元气阴气不足所致也。当以王道论治庶可。但世
俗不能守此理,遂致失明者矣。悲夫!
东垣曰∶瞳子散大者,由食辛热之物太甚故也。所谓辛主散,热则助火,上乘于脑中,
其精故散,精散则视物亦散大也。夫精明者,所以视万物者也。今视物不真,则精衰矣。盖
火之与气,势不两立。故经曰∶壮火食气,壮火散气。手少阴足厥阴所主风热,连目系,邪
入中人,各从其类。故循此道而来攻,头目肿闷而瞳子散大,皆血虚阴弱故也。当除风热,
凉血益血,以收耗散之气,则愈矣。
According to the *Longmu Lun* (Dragon Tree Treatise): Ocular diseases include seventy-two types of internal obstructions, twenty-three types of external obstructions, and forty-nine manifestations of pathological conditions, each distinct. By accurately identifying these clinical manifestations without error, treatment can be guided by reliable principles.
Note: Detailed descriptions of various conditions are found in the main treatise. However, internal obstructions manifest as dimness or obscuration of the "Black Water Shen Guang" (the luster within the pupil and visual function), whereas external obstructions involve the presence of membranes or films over the eye. Although the current discussion lists various conditions, the medications used are primarily based on wind-heat etiology; thus, they are briefly summarized here. Internal obstructions may arise from phlegm-heat with qi stagnation, blood-heat with sinking of yang, or yin deficiency leading to depletion of nutritive qi. Various etiologies are omitted from detailed discussion. Furthermore, external obstructions (films) may originate from the inner canthus, outer canthus, upper eye, lower eye, or center of the eye. One must observe which meridian the film's color originates from. For example, Li Dongyuan’s treatment case: The wife of Wei Bangyan had an ocular film that developed from below upward, indicating the disease originated from the Yangming Meridian. Green is not one of the five primary colors; it likely indicates a combined pathology of the Lung and Kidney. Consulting painters, ink was mixed with lead white powder (Nifen) to synthesize a color, which closely matched the film's hue. This confirmed Lung and Kidney pathology. Treatment involved purging pathogenic factors from the Lung and Kidney, using herbs entering the Yangming Meridian as guiding agents. The treatment was effective, but the condition recurred three times subsequently. The meridians involved and the film colors varied each time. Inquiry revealed that meridian dysfunction persisted, confirming the diagnosis. Adhering to this diagnostic and therapeutic approach, the disease ceased to recur. In cases where treatment fails despite analyzing the film color and underlying etiology, it is due to pathogens becoming entrenched over time and insufficiency of primordial qi and yin qi. Such cases require gentle, regulatory ("Kingly Way") treatment methods. Regrettably, those who fail to adhere to these principles often suffer blindness. How sorrowful!
Li Dongyuan stated: Mydriasis (dilation of the pupil) results from excessive consumption of pungent and hot foods. Pungency promotes dispersion, while heat exacerbates fire. Fire ascends to the brain, causing the essence to scatter. When essence scatters, vision becomes blurred and objects appear enlarged. The faculty of clarity allows one to perceive all things. If vision is indistinct, it indicates depletion of essence. Fire and Qi are mutually exclusive in their dynamics. As the classics state: "Excessive fire consumes Qi; excessive fire disperses Qi." Wind-heat governed by the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian connects to the optic nerve system. Pathogenic factors enter the body according to their affinity. Following this pathway, they attack the head and eyes, causing swelling, oppression, and mydriasis. These symptoms are caused by blood deficiency and weak yin. Treatment should dispel wind-heat, cool the blood, nourish blood, and consolidate dispersed Qi to achieve recovery.