Chinese Ophthalmology - Treating eye diseases with Chinese medicine

Treating eye diseases with Chinese medicine

Chinese ophthalmology embraces many fascinating aspects which this book presents in detail.

Along with the foundations and principles of Chinese ophthalmology, possible treatment approaches from all fields of Chinese medicine are presented: acupuncture, herbal therapy, tuina, qigong and dietary therapy.

In all 26 eye diseases are described from the Western and from the Chinese points of view, and Chinese treatment options are explained in detail. Finally, recommendations on the prevention of disorders in the eye area are given according to the criteria of Chinese medicine.

Key features include:

     ● foundations of Chinese ophthalmology

     ● diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases from the points of view of Western and Chinese medicine

     ● differentiated Chinese therapeutic strategies

     ● discussion of preventive concepts

     ● extensive bibliography

For all practitioners and therapists interested in Chinese ophthalmology.

1 Historical Overview 1 

2 The Foundations 7 

2.1 General Basic Concepts of Chinese Medicine 8 

2.2 Basic Concepts of Chinese Ophthalmology 14 

3 The Physiology of the Eyes in Chinese Medicine 23 

3.1 The Physiological Functions of the Eyes 24 

3.2 The Relationship of the Eyes with the Zangfu-Organs 25 

3.3 The Relationship of the Eyes with the Channels 31 

3.4 The Theories of the Five Wheels and Eight Boundaries 31 

4 The Pathophysiology of Eye Diseases in Chinese Medicine 37 

4.1 Causes Leading to Eye Diseases 38 

4.2 The Pathomechanisms of Eye Diseases 41 

4.3 Establishing a Diagnosis in Chinese Ophthalmology 50 

4.4 Examination Using the Four Diagnostic Methods in Ophthalmology 56 

5 Methods of Treatment 59 

5.1 Acupuncture and Moxa Treatment 60 

5.2 Chinese Materia Medica 87 

5.3 Chinese Dietary Therapy 105 

5.4 Tuina in Ophthalmology 117 

5.5 Qigong Exercises for the Better Nourishing of the Eyes ("Eye Qigong") 143 

6 Eye Diseases and their Treatment Options with Chinese Medicine 151 

6.1 Diseases of the Eyelids 156 

6.1.1 Benign Essential Blepharospasm 156 

6.1.2 Blepharitis (Inflammation of the Eyelid Margins) 163

6.1.3 Hordeolum (Stye) 173 

6.1.4 Chalazion (Meibomian Cyst) 184 

6.1.5 Dermatitis of the Eyelids 190 

6.1.6 Age-related Changes of the Eyelids 197 

6.2 Diseases of the Conjunctiva 203 

6.2.1 Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis 203 

6.2.2 Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis 214 

6.2.3 Infections of the Conjunctiva 224 

6.2.4 Chronic Conjunctivitis 234 

6.2.5 Dry Eye Syndrome 249 

6.2.6 Epiphora (Tearing) 256 

6.2.7 Pterygium 262 

6.3 Diseases of the Sclera — Episcleritis 272 

6.4 Diseases of the Cornea — Recurrent Corneal Erosion 281 

6.5 Diseases of the Lens — Senile Cataract 288 

6.6 Diseases of the Uvea — Anterior Uveitis (Iritis/Iridocyclitis) 301 

6.7 Changes of the Vitreous — Degenerative Vitreous Syndrome 316 

6.8 Diseases of the Retina 326 

6.8.1 Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) 326 

6.8.2 Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) 338 

6.8.3 Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR) 348 

6.8.4 Diabetic Retinopathy 356 

6.9 Diseases of the Optic Nerve — Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma 371 

6.10 Diseases of the Orbita — Endocrine Orbitopathy 385 

6.11 Eye Movement Disorders — Paralytic Strabismus 393 

6.12 Ametropia — Axial Myopia (Shortsightedness) 405 

7 Recommendations on the Prevention of Disorders in the Eye Area from the Point of View of Chinese Medicine 419 

7.1 General Lifestyle 420 

7.2 Diet 421 

7.3 Tuina, Qigong and Taiji 424 

8 Appendix 427 

8.1 Glossary 427 

8.2 Chinese Disease Names 434 

Bibliography 438 

9 Index 452