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According to the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon): When epidemic violent heat occurs, and the weather is excessive and harmonious, dryness and fire pathogens invade excessively, and are insulted by evil winds, the people suffer from red eyes. The general principles involve three main aspects: First, wind assists fire, which becomes depressed in the upper body. The classic states: "When Shaoyin (Ministerial Fire) governs the heaven," during the first Qi phase, Yang Qi spreads, wind moves, cold qi arrives at times, Qi depresses in the upper part causing heat, leading to red eyes. It also states: "When Shaoyang (Ministerial Fire) governs the heaven," during the second Qi phase, the climate becomes very warm, the disease manifests as Qi rebelling in the upper part, causing red eyes. Third, dryness pathogen damages the Liver. During the third Qi phase, Metal Qi of the year is excessive, and dryness Qi prevails. The classic states: "When Yangming (Dryness Metal) governs the heaven." Dryness Qi descends to suppress, Liver Qi ascends to comply, resulting in hypochondriac pain and red eyes. Although the diseases vary in between, the general principle does not exceed these three patterns.

The classic mentions two types of eye pain: one is pain in the white part of the eye (Sclera), and the other is pain in the black part of the eye (Cornea/Iris). Generally, pain in the white part belongs to Yang, so it is worse during the day, and bitter-cold herbs applied topically are effective; this corresponds to the classic saying that "the red vessels in the white eye follow Yang." Pain in the black part belongs to Yin, so it is worse at night, and applying bitter-cold herbs makes it worse; this corresponds to the classic saying that "the pupil and black eye follow Yin." All eye pain is caused by Heat. Irritability occurs because Qi rises with Fire. Li Dongyuan said: When Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is deficient and generates heat, light touch reveals heat in the skin and hair vessels; heavy pressure revealing severe heat in sinews and bones indicates heat in the sinews and bones; moderate pressure revealing heat in muscles indicates heat in the muscles. He also stated: Fever during the day and quietness at night indicate Yang Qi heating itself in the Yang aspect; quietness during the day and fever/irritability at night indicate Yang Qi sinking into the Yin, named "Heat entering the Blood Chamber" (Re Ru Xue Shi). Fever both day and night indicates Extreme Yang without Yin, requiring urgent draining of Yang and vigorous tonification of Yin.

Epidemic red-hot eyes, where seasonal Qi circulates, cause floating dryness in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), astringent tears, and eye pain, or formation of papillary conjunctivitis (Jiao Chuang) and sandpaper-like friction, photophobia, or transmission from one eye to both, or spontaneous resolution within seven days.
Often, infection spreads among individuals due to deficiency being steamed by Fire. Although considered a superficial disease, it should not be neglected. If taboos are violated, complications will arise like swarming insects. One must distinguish between Deficiency and Excess, and differentiate according to the Six Channels (Liu Jing).
This condition presents with red painful eyes, swollen eyelids, heavy head, photophobia, and flowing tears/nasal discharge. Within a family or neighborhood, it often spreads among old and young. However, there are differences in Deficiency/Excess and severity, depending on the individual's constitution and the intensity of the seasonal Qi. Each follows their specific pathogenic influence and meridian distribution. Disease severity varies and cannot be generalized. This chapter specifically addresses seasonal epidemics, Heat pathogen infection, pre-existing eye diseases, phlegm-fire-heat diseases, or constitutional Yin fluid deficiency and Original Qi weakness, where transmission varies. If the infection is mild and the root is clear, with Evil unable to overcome Righteous Qi, it heals in seven days. Since the number for Fire is seven, the Fire Qi exhausts after seven days. If not healed in seven days but persists for fourteen days (two sevens), it indicates secondary transmission. If it persists beyond fourteen days, it is likely due to violating taboos or underlying deficiency, requiring vigilance for other complications. Suitable prescription:
Qufeng Sanre Yin Zi (Wind-Dispersing Heat-Draining Decoction)
Forsythiae Fructum (Lianqiao) / Forsythia Fruit, Arisaematis Rhizoma Preparatum (Niuxiangzi - Stir-fried, ground), Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Su Bohe), Rheum Palmati Radix (Dahuang - Wine-soaked), Paeziae Radix Rubra (Chishao), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), Angelicae Sinensis Radix Cauda (Danggui Wei), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao - small amount), Gardeniae Fructus (Shanzhiren), Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) (Equal parts).
Cut into pieces. Decoct with two cups of plain water until one cup remains, remove dregs, and take hot after meals. For Shaoyang Channel involvement, add Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu); for Shaoyin Channel involvement, add Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian).
Sangbaipi San (Mulberry Bark Powder) treats Lung Qi obstruction, Heat-Toxin attacking the eyes, swelling of the sclera, pain day and night, and chest/heart irritability.
Inulae Flos (Xuanfu Hua), Aurantii Fructus (Zhiqiao), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren - peeled and tip removed), Morus Albae Cortex (Sangbaipi), Trichosanthis Radix (Tianhuafen), Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Lepidii Semen (Tiantili), Chrysanthemi Flos (Ganjuhua), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) (Equal parts).
Grind into powder. Take four qian per dose, decoct with one and a half cups of water and three slices of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang) until eight fen remains, remove dregs, and take warm after meals.
Xiare Huanglian Tang (Heat-Draining Coptis Decoction) (See Volume 2. Note: This formula contains herbs corresponding to the Hand Shaoyin, Hand Taiyin, Foot Yangming, Foot Shaoyang, and Foot Shaoyin channels.)