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The presence of blood in the eyes serves as the source for nourishing them. When blood is abundant and harmonious, it performs the function of generation, growth, and nourishment, preventing eye diseases; however, if there is even slight deficiency or stagnation, eye diseases will arise.

This is analogous to water being the moisture that sustains living things. When rain and dew are moderate and balanced, the proliferation of life is appropriate, and vegetation flourishes; conversely, under conditions of severe drought or excessive flooding, vegetation withers and is destroyed. This is all due to the loss of balance in Qi (vital energy).

Therefore, when the upright Qi of Heaven is not harmonious, Yin and Yang become imbalanced, leading to either drought or torrential rains. The fluctuation of water levels varies, causing a disparity between the flourishing and withering of all things. Rain falling out of season becomes a disaster to all things. This is like mountains collapsing and waters surging: torrents flow recklessly, deviating from river channels. In such cases, one is compelled to dredge blockages and breach dikes to drain the floods, thereby avoiding the calamity of inundation and harm to all things.

Similarly, when the Six Qi (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) in the human body are disharmonious, and Water and Fire are discordant, pathogenic factors invade excessively. This results in uneven fluctuations in the strength of Blood, disordered ascending and descending of Qi, and imbalance of Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, which then become harmful to the person. Generally, this arises from Yin deficiency with hyperactive Fire, where blazing heat causes chaos, disregarding the meridians. Stagnation prevents smooth flow, necessitating the opening of stagnation and unblocking of depression to drain stasis, thus preventing swelling, ulceration, and damage to the eyes. The principle is identical to military strategy.

There are six important acupoints for this "opening and guiding" therapy: Yingxiang (LI20), Neipi, Shangxing (GV23), Erji, and the left and right Taiyang (EX-HN5) points.
Neipi: Acts as the vanguard before the main enemy force. Although its effect is slow, it gradually achieves stability and peace.
The two Taiyang points: Strike the left and right flanks of the enemy. Their efficacy is secondary to Neipi.
Shangxing: Cuts off the enemy's supply lines.
Yingxiang: Attacks the enemy's nest. While success is rapid, it involves campaigning through danger.
Erji: Strikes the enemy's cavalry. The distance is far, and the efficacy is low; thus, wise practitioners do not employ it.
These six acupoints are excellent techniques for rescuing crises and key strategies for defeating enemies. It is better to open the door and wait for the enemy to leave than to close the door and try to catch them.

Does one desire to encounter robbers? If unfortunately encountered, and if the robbers are few and weak while our forces are strong, they can be captured. However, if bandits are rampant, it is better to open the door and drive them away. Although property may be lost, diligent management can still compensate for the damage. If one closes the door tightly, it inevitably leads to drastic changes, resulting in arson and slaughter.

Does one desire to suffer from eye disease? If unfortunately afflicted, and if the disease is superficial and the pathogen is not overpowering, attacking internally will cause the pathogen to retreat naturally, restoring clarity to the eyes. However, if the Heat of the Six Yang channels is blazing, it is better to use opening and guiding methods to unblock it. Even if the essence fluids (Gao Ye) are damaged, subsequent medicinal supplementation ensures no lasting harm. Otherwise, if Fire pathogens and stasis reach an extreme, the eyes will inevitably suffer from ulceration, dryness, or protrusion.

Nevertheless, the method of opening and guiding contains both benefits and harms. It confers great merit upon the eyes, yet people often remain unaware; it harbors hidden dangers, yet people are also ignorant of them. Regarding its ability to break enemy lines, rescue disasters, and quell chaos, its merit is significant. However, regarding the consumption of fluids, injury to essence, weakening of brilliance, and impairment of generative capacity, these are its hidden harms.

If a physician can discern the severity of the disease and examine its deficiency or excess, applying opening and guiding when appropriate, and immediately following up with tonification, thereby ensuring that the Qi and Blood of the diseased eyes suffer no detriment, such a physician can be called a good doctor who understands flexibility and adaptation.