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One may not be aware that the condition known as "Shi Fu" (Periodic Recurrence) arrives with each passing year at a specific time. People often assume it poses no deep threat, yet ultimately it becomes the seed of disaster. Even if a skilled ophthalmologist cures it, if post-treatment care is neglected, or if the patient's eyes were originally weak and they suffer recurrence upon seeing others afflicted—a phenomenon referred to as being "affected by waves" (influenced by others)—this is not due to the physician's deliberate difficulty in treatment, but because the root cause of the disease has not been eradicated.

This situation typically arises when an eye disease is not treated thoroughly, and the patient endures the symptoms until they appear to heal on their own; or when the treatment is inappropriate, and attempts to avoid triggers inadvertently disturb the meridians and collaterals of the eye, causing the pathogen to penetrate deeply. If left untreated subsequently, the pathogenic factor and healthy qi engage in combat without dispersing. Consequently, at certain months of the year or days of the month, the condition flares up like blooming flowers or rising tides, subsiding only after the period passes. Over time, once obvious symptoms are triggered, treatment begins. If untreated, it will not resolve; therefore, one must inquire about the underlying cause before onset, and upon onset, examine the morphology, color, and location to determine the affected Zang-Fu organs, then apply targeted therapy. Only then can permanent remission be achieved. One must absolutely not rigidly adhere to the theories of Five Movements and Six Qi or lunar terms, indiscriminately administering medications prescribed for seasonal timing, lest the medicine harm the body before curing the disease.

Some master physicians of the Eye Classics have cured this condition, with recurrences ceasing after two to three years, or quickly within eight to nine months; later, it might occur several times a month, which is also termed "Shi Fu." This occurs because the root remains, and the patient abruptly dismisses the physician and stops medication, or strictly adheres to prohibitions for a long time, appearing suddenly cured. However, once they wander in wind and frost or indulge in desires, they effectively summon the illness back. The qi and blood stagnate and accumulate, and the disease travels its familiar path, inevitably erupting from the original meridians. The common people often blame the physician for leaving behind wine bowls (implying negligence or failure to enforce abstinence), which is incorrect. When facing this condition, one must administer medication according to the specific circumstances and must not let the formulas used by previous physicians fixate one's mind. As the saying goes, "When the firewood is exhausted, the fire continues"; how can we know that future treatments will not surpass the current ones?

There is another scenario where patients with originally poor vision flare up whenever they see others suffering. This is caused by sudden changes in climatic qi. The Classic states: "All diseases arise from Qi." Excessive thinking causes Qi to knot; fear causes Qi to sink; shock causes Qi to become chaotic. Those accustomed to periodic recurrence have experienced its joys and sorrows fully. Seeing others ill, they inevitably feel fear and anxiety regarding themselves, causing their Shen (Spirit) and Qi to become disordered. Although external pathogens may not necessarily be contagious, the lingering thread of the old pathology connects through resonance with past karma/disease patterns, leading to immediate recurrence. It is akin to yawning: if one is tired, mimicking a yawn induces one; if one is thirsty, mentioning plums generates saliva in the mouth. The principle is identical. This condition is listed here as part of the study of things to acquire knowledge, and I dare to express regret that ancient sages did not witness my work.