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The visual function of the eyes relies on Kidney Jing (Kidney Essence). The nourishing function of blood is attributed to the Liver. The point of divine light in the pupil is essentially Water (representing Kidney Essence), wrapped externally by a thin membrane, crystal clear, with vision extending far and deep; this is the foundation upon which life depends. When pathology occurs: if Kidney Water is deficient, there will be blurred vision; if Liver Fire is excessive, there will be redness and dryness/astringency. Upon encountering Wind-Cold, pain, increased eye discharge (mucus), and tearing will occur. As long as the Liver and Kidneys are solid, even if attacked by external pathogens, no harm will result. Conversely, if the Liver and Kidneys are deficient, disaster will arise spontaneously even without external pathogens.

Nowadays, it is seen that people often suffer from eye diseases, only diligently applying drops and washing, willingly suffering harm, while regarding internal nourishment and internal treatment as pedantic, slow, and ineffective. This is truly pitiable. The so-called eye drops primarily use Calamina (Lugan Shi) as the sovereign herb. Once calcined, its nature becomes drying and hot, thereby hindering sleep and exhausting Jing (Essence). Musk Pian (She Xiang Pian), with its pungent and aromatic quality, has a nature good at penetrating meridians and clearing pathways, which instead attracts Wind pathogens into the orifices. Amber (Hu Po), Pearl (Zhen Zhu), Swallow Stone (Shi Yan), and Verdigris (Tong Qing) are all metallic and mineral substances that are fierce, sour, and harsh, further depleting body fluids. Bear Gallbladder (Xiong Dan) and Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian) have bitter-cold properties that cause stagnation and obstruction, preventing Wind pathogens from being dispersed and vented.

Those in their prime with robust Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) who suffer from this condition need only maintain tranquility and adjust their lifestyle; waiting for the pathogenic factor to exhaust itself and Qi to recover, they will heal without treatment. Even if treated with drops and washes, it is not due to the efficacy of the medicine. Even for the elderly and emaciated, if left untreated, the pathogenic Qi merely lingers, causing no major harm. However, if applied with the aforementioned drying and harsh medicines, the protective thin membrane is eroded; the penetrating substances scatter the True Qi; the essence of the pupil escapes outward, forcing tears to flow. When tears dry up, vision flickers between clarity and darkness until blindness ensues. Is this truly the eye going blind on its own? I believe that all eye diseases should seek their source in the Spleen, Liver, and Kidneys for treatment, and none will fail to recover.

Su Dongpo said: "When treating eye diseases, let them rest; when treating tooth diseases, exert them." Treating eyes is like governing the people; one should govern like Cao Can governed Qi (through non-action). Treating teeth is like managing soldiers; one should manage like Shang Yang governed Qin (with strict laws). These words are profound. How can one not ponder them carefully? Therefore, I cite these experienced cases as a mirror for reflection.

In the autumn of Jiashen year, Grandmother of Jiang Zishe, nearly seventy years old, suffered from Wind Pathogen, with both eyes red and painful. An ophthalmologist was consulted, using the drop method. After several days, her left eye became completely blind. She was then administered formulas that cleared fire and consumed Qi, which exacerbated dizziness, vertigo, and spontaneous sweating, and her right eye also became dim. The condition worsened. I was invited to treat her and prescribed Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), added with Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry), and Jue Ming Zi (Cassia Seed). After several doses, the sweating stopped, and her right eye regained sight.

Furthermore, the mother-in-law of the Zhang family (related to Zishe) suffered from the same condition. She was just fifty years old, and her Yuan Qi was still substantial. I instructed her to avoid wind in a closed room, strictly avoiding rubbing or pressing when pain occurred, allowing tears to flow naturally, maintaining a relaxed and tranquil mind, eating a bland diet, and simply enduring for seven days. Then, I administered herbs to clear the Liver and nourish the Kidneys. After several doses, because she observed the restrictions, her vision recovered completely by the end of the period.

Additionally, my cousin from the Hong clan suffered from eye pannus (corneal opacity) in the summer of Jiashen. Liu Runchu was invited to treat her. Liu stated that internal and external treatment combined would lead to recovery. Thus, Liu Runchu focused solely on external treatment, while I used formulas to invigorate the Spleen and nourish Blood, tonifying the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney meridians. Within ten days, the pannus disappeared, and her physical condition improved beyond before.

In the spring of Wuyin year, due to a trip to Dongjiao, by summer, my late wife suffered from chronic Spleen diarrhea (Pi Xie) that did not heal. A physician used acrid-drying agents. After taking them for dozens of days, the diarrhea ceased. Little did he know that the previous drugs had dried up the Blood, resulting in the blindness of one eye, and the other eye was nearly ruined. Upon my return, I urgently administered Yin-nourishing and Kidney-benefiting agents. After thirty doses, she finally regained sight. Regarding the left eye, if the Kidney Jing cannot ascend to nourish the optic nerve connection, once severed, it cannot be treated.

My nephew Yunfu frequently suffered from red eye disease. His six pulses were deep and slow. I instructed him to take Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) and to freely drink chicken soup and wine, after which he recovered. It turns out that red eye disease can also be caused by Cold. How can one generally administer cooling agents? I detail these few cases to warn patients.