In the era of information explosion and the prevalence of 3C products, modern people use their eyes far more than ever before. As they enter middle age, problems such as presbyopia, floaters, white internal visual obstruction, macular degeneration, and other eye degeneration issues follow one after another. Rather than waiting until this stage, it is better to deploy preventive measures and maintain eye health in advance to effectively delay the aging and degeneration of the eyes.
The eyes are consumptive organs; they do not produce materials themselves. Their nutrition and fuel come from the generation and delivery by the five zang and six fu-organs, which are transported through the circulatory system to finally reach the eyes for their use. The brain, which weighs about 2% of the body, consumes 1/5 of the body's oxygen and 1/4 of its glucose. The visual system, which only occupies 1/5 of the brain, consumes the most energy and many special materials . As the five zang and six fu-organs age and the circulatory pathways become blocked, the eyes gradually receive insufficient nutrition, leading to a gradual decline in their function and degeneration of the eye itself. Particularly, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has found that the liver and kidneys have a very close connection with the eyes. Once the function of the liver and kidneys declines, the aging of the eyes accelerates. Therefore, enhancing the function of the liver and kidneys has an immediate effect on the maintenance and treatment of the eyes.
Therefore, the maintenance and treatment of the eyes must start with enhancing the function of the five zang and six fu-organs and ensuring the smooth circulation of qi and blood, so that the eyes can always receive sufficient material supply, maintaining clarity and delaying aging. The supplementary health products on the market do not consider the decline in the function of the zang-fu organs and the blockage of the circulatory pathways. It's like an old factory machine with low efficiency and some blocked pipelines; simply throwing raw materials into the machine results in uneven and questionable quality products.
Modern medicine treatments are all symptomatic:- Presbyopia: Wearing reading glasses, which is relatively low cost; or replacing the original lens with a multifocal intraocular lens through surgery, which is relatively high cost.
- Floaters: There is basically no treatment, and laser removal of floaters carries considerable risks, which most ophthalmologists do not recommend.
- White internal visual obstruction: In the initial stage, eye drops can be used to slow down the deterioration. Once the white internal visual obstruction matures, surgery to replace the lens with an artificial one is performed.
- Qi and Blood Deficiency : The five zang and six fu-organs are the source of qi and blood. If the digestive system's function is poor, with spleen qi deficiency, leading to insufficient absorption of nutrients and generation of qi and blood, then spleen qi should be supplemented; if the heart's propulsion is weak and the lung's qi movement is insufficient, then the qi of the heart and lungs should be supplemented and strengthened. Improving the supply of qi and blood to the eyes can maintain clarity, and even minor ailments will heal quickly.
- Liver Blood Deficiency: "Liver Storing Blood", modern medicine has found that the liver stores a large amount of glycogen, fat, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, etc., to meet the body's occasional needs; "Liver Open Into Eyes", many nutrients required by the eyes (such as vitamin A) are also stored in the liver. If the body is overworked and excessively depleted, exhausting the liver's stored nutrients, it will lead to a state of imbalance known as liver blood deficiency, affecting vision. Modern people often overuse their eyes, and once the liver's stored materials are depleted, the eyes are prone to dryness, fatigue, and problems. Many Chinese medicinals can "tonify liver blood", such as Chrysanthemum Flower, Barbary Wolfberry Fruit, Cassia Seed, which actually contain various nutrients needed by the eyes.
- Kidney Water Deficiency : "Kidney Storing Essence", modern medicine has found that when a person is under stress, the adrenal glands can quickly mobilize stored materials and break them down into fuel for the body's urgent use. If a person is often in a state of high pressure, high energy consumption, and overwork, the body's stored materials will be depleted, leading to an imbalance state of kidney water deficiency. If overworked eyes do not receive sufficient material supply, they are prone to illness. Many Chinese medicinals can "tonify kidney water," and they also contain various nutrients required by the human body.
- Qi and Blood Stasis Blockage: The operation and maintenance of the eyes require the supply of qi and blood. If there is a blockage in the circulation channels, whether due to trauma or blood stasis, even if there is sufficient qi and blood, it is difficult to reach the eyes smoothly, accelerating the degeneration of the eyes. Signs of qi and blood stasis are treated with methods of invigorating blood and resolving stasis.
Acupoint Massage and Healthcare Gymnastics for Eyes
Performing eye massage and healthcare exercises every few minutes is the most bright and far-sighted investment for the future. Eye acupoint massage, Periorbital Finger Scraping Technique, eyeball rotation exercises, and near-far vision exercises can all improve the qi and blood circulation of the eyeballs, eliminate metabolic waste from the eyes, bring nutrients needed by the eyes, and exercise and relax the muscles of the eyeballs.Eye acupoint massage: There are 7 acupoints around the eyes, all located in local depressions or the edges of the orbital bone. They can be pressed in turn, but be careful not to press the eyeball. There are three small acupoints on the back of the thumb joint, located in the middle of the joint and the middle depressions on the oblique sides of the joint. They can be pressed alternately with the left and right hands. There is a Shangbai acupoint in front of the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints on the back of the hand, which also has a health care effect on the eyes. Slightly flex the palm and use the fingers to find a small depression.
Massage method for acupoints: Acupoints are mostly located in the deepest depressions of the local area. When pressing, there should be a slight soreness to indicate the correct position. Bend your fingers and use the convex part of the back of the finger joint as a massage stick to gently press the acupoints, pressing for a few minutes each day in batches. Be careful not to press too hard or excessively. If the acupoint hurts with a light touch, it means it has been injured and should not be pressed again.
Exercises to train and relax the ciliary muscles:
- Near-far vision: First focus on something very close, such as your finger in front of you, then focus on something very far, such as a distant building, floating clouds, mountains, or sea. Repeat this action dozens of times.
- Playing table tennis, badminton, or tennis can exercise both the body and the ciliary muscles of the eyes, killing two birds with one stone.
Ingredients that nourish the eyes
Those who use their eyes intensively can usually eat more of these ingredients that provide nutrition for the eyes:- Chinese medicinals: Barbary Wolfberry Fruit, Chrysanthemum Flower, Cassia Seed, Glossy Privet Fruit, Papermulberry Fruit, Plantain Seed, Mulberry Fruit, Mulberry Leaf, etc., are all medicinal materials rich in nutrients needed by the eyes.
- Fruits: Apples, blueberries, kiwis, tomatoes, etc., are rich in nutrients (such as vitamin A, lutein, anthocyanins, selenium) that are essential for eye health, but be careful not to eat too much of the sweeter fruits to avoid gaining weight!
- Cod liver oil: Rich in vitamin A, cod liver oil ≠ fish oil, usually 5cc per day is sufficient, do not exceed this amount!
