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Ocular diseases are both difficult and easy to treat. Among the general population, those suffering from eye ailments often endure them for a year or even years without recovery, and some may become permanently disabled. Is it truly that eye diseases are inherently difficult to cure? It is merely due to delayed treatment or, if treated early, the failure to employ the correct methods. Generally, eye pain is categorized into Yin and Yang syndromes, and differentiation must be performed in advance. If the differentiation is clear and the medication is appropriate, efficacy can be achieved promptly, preventing permanent disability.

Eye pain caused by Yang syndromes is characterized by photophobia (aversion to light). The cornea (Heijing) will be intensely red like fire, while the sclera (Baijing) appears relatively pale red. The pain is often described as stabbing, accompanied by tearing and crusting of discharge. It may also present with nasal congestion, thirst with phlegm accumulation, or persistent chills and fever. These symptoms arise from Fire pathogen stagnating in the heart and abdomen, leading to Qi stagnation of the Liver Wood. If this condition is mistakenly diagnosed as a deficiency syndrome and treated with warming and tonifying herbs, it may progress to Qing Mang (blindness/loss of vision) in both eyes. The treatment principle should be to resolve stagnation and dispel wind, using the formula Kai Mu San (Open Eye Powder). The efficacy of this formula lies in its ability to soothe Liver Qi and incorporate herbs that drain dampness and clear heat. By addressing the root cause rather than directly targeting the eyes, the redness and pain subside spontaneously, typically within two doses.

Conversely, eye pain resulting from Yin deficiency may initially present with mild pain that does not intensify significantly. The cornea may not be red, but the sclera may appear blood-red; alternatively, the sclera may remain non-red while the skin exhibits a peach-blossom hue. There is an absence of tears and discharge. Symptoms are milder during the day but worsen at night. Photophobia is present but mild. The patient may experience frequent hunger, with pain exacerbating when hungry compared to after meals. They may tolerate daylight but find artificial light intolerable. Stools may be loose, while urine is clear and copious. Night fevers or spontaneous sweating may occur. These manifestations indicate depletion of Kidney Water, which fails to nourish Liver Wood. When Liver Wood is unable to sustain itself, it cannot ascend to moisten the eyes. Treatment requires potent Yin-tonifying herbs administered in large doses to restore fluid balance and guide deficient Fire back to its meridian. Using cold-natured herbs may destroy Stomach Qi and deplete Yang Qi. Using wind-dispelling herbs may scatter True Qi, leaving the eyes perpetually red. This leads to blurred vision (Hun Hua) and trichiasis/inverted eyelashes (Quan Mao Dao Jie), rendering patients permanently disabled without realizing the error. Such cases are common, prompting deep sighs. Therefore, I have formulated a prescription to save these patients, named Yang Mu Zhi Shen Tang (Nourish Eyes Supreme Spirit Decoction). This formula nourishes the Kidneys to generate Liver Wood, ensuring sufficient fluids to nourish the Liver. Once Liver Qi is restored, vision clears naturally. Long-term administration (up to six months) is recommended; not only will blurred vision improve, but trichiasis may also resolve spontaneously. This exemplifies treating the root, thereby resolving the branch, eliminating the need for separate branch treatments.

Kai Mu San (Open Eye Powder)
Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 2 qian) Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 1 qian) Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 3 qian) Bai Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus, 3 qian) Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum, 2 qian) Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 1 qian) Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian) Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen, 2 qian) Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 1 qian) Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma, 1 qian) Cao Jue Ming (Cassiae Semen, 1 qian) Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix, 1 qian) Decoct in water and take orally.

Yang Mu Zhi Shen Tang (Nourish Eyes Supreme Spirit Decoction)
Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, 5 qian) Shan Zhu Yu (Corni Fructus, 5 qian) Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos, 3 qian) Di Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex, 3 qian) Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 3 qian) Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 3 qian) Fu Ling (Poria, 3 qian) Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen, 1 qian) Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 3 fen) Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus, 2 qian) Wei Rui (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma, 3 qian) Decoct in water and take orally.