Library

Ocular disorders have historically been differentiated according to the Five Wheels (Wulun), Eight Palaces (Bakuo), and seventy-two syndromes. In reality, these classifications are unreliable. Among practitioners in this field, quacks act recklessly, which goes without saying. Even those considered highly skilled often attribute excess syndromes to Wind or Fire, and deficiency syndromes to Liver Blood insufficiency or Kidney Water decline. While their explanations sound profound and plausible, their treatments yield no effect and often exacerbate the condition. I have observed many acquaintances; all who suffered from eye pain eventually lost their sight due to medical intervention. The few who fortunately escaped were suffering from mild conditions that would have resolved spontaneously even without medication, so credit for their recovery should not be attributed to physicians.

Generally, apart from conditions such as redness, swelling, and external obstructions caused by Wind and Fire, all other symptoms involving loss of visual clarity, darkness, and fatigue in vision belong to Yang Deficiency. The Heart and Lungs reside in the Upper Jiao. The Heart belongs to Fire, which illuminates objects; the Lung belongs to Metal, which reflects objects. If the Yang Qi of these two organs fails to circulate freely, Fire cannot illuminate, and Metal cannot reflect. Physicians, unaware of this principle, use blood-nourishing herbs to tonify the Liver and water-moistening herbs to nourish the Kidney. This causes Yin in the Lower Jiao to become excessive, further depleting Yang in the Upper Jiao. Moreover, it allows Yin Qi from the Lower Jiao to ascend to the Head (Heaven), making daytime appear like night. It is akin to a flickering candle obscured by dark clouds, with Dragon and Thunder Fire soaring upward. Although the intention was to subdue Fire by nourishing Yin, this approach actually aids Fire. Excessive Fire leads to additional symptoms such as redness, swelling, blood vessels, and photophobia, gradually resulting in permanent disability.

I am not a specialist in ophthalmology and dare not speak at length. However, by asking those who have lost their sight what medicines they ingested and what drops they used, one can learn from past mistakes. Here, beyond what is recorded in standard ophthalmological texts, I present several prescriptions to correct these prevalent errors.

Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction). [Formula 1: Add Cistanche Herba (Roucongrong), Zanthoxylum Pericarpium (Chuanjiao), and Cuscuta Semen (Tusizi) to form pills; treats Deficient-Cold syndromes.] Tofu, one piece. [Hollow out the center, insert Natrii Sulfas (Puxiao) 3–6 g, cover again with tofu, steam until liquid extracts, and use this liquid to wash the eyes; effective for Excess-Heat syndromes.]

Guifu Dihuang Wan (Cinnamon and Aconite Rehmannia Pill) (15); Danggui Buxue Tang (Dangui Tonifies the Blood Decoction) with Antler Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum (Lurong) 9 g added (6); Cizhu Wan (Magnetite Pearl Pill) (26); Hushao Dan (Preserve Vitality Pill), taken with Chrysanthemi Flos (Juhua) decoction as a vehicle (16). In the early stages of corneal opacity (Yi Zhang), do not hastily apply eye drops or any washing solutions. Since the eye does not naturally accumulate dust, medicinal fluids entering the eye may cause discomfort and aversion. Instead, use clean boiled water held in a clean teacup. Soak a clean, plain-colored silk cloth in the hot water and gently compress/wash the eyes. When the water becomes turbid, replace it and continue washing until the water remains clear and free of debris. Repeat this process several times until healed. No medicine is added to the water; this is called "Natural Water." The water must be boiled because heat disperses Wind, and water controls Fire.