Optic Atrophy

Optic atrophy is a chronic eye disorder marked by gradual degeneration of thevision acuity. At the early stage there is only blurring of vision, but at thelate stage the eye sight may be totally lost.

Etiology and Pathogenesis

a) Deficiency of the kidney and liver yin leads to consumption of the essence and blood that nourish the eyes.

b) Dysfunction in transportation and transformation of the spleen due to irregular diet and overstrain results in inadequate supply of the essential nutrients for the eyes. c) Dysfunction of the liver with stagnation of qi and blood in emotional troubles causes failure of the essential qi to flow upwards to nourish the eyes.

Differentiation

a) Deficiency of the liver and kidney yin:

Main manifestations: Dryness of the eyes, blurred vision, dizziness, tinnitus, nocturnal emission, aching of the lower back, thready and weak pulse, reddened tongue with scanty coating.

Analysis: Dryness of the eyes and blurred vision are due to failure of the essential nutrients to nourish the eyes in deficiency of the liver and kidney yin. The lumbus is the seat of the kidney. When the kidney is in a deficiency state, there is aching of the lower back. Deficiency of the kidney yin may lead to nocturnal emission when there is hyperactivity of the asthenic fire, and to dizziness and tinnitus when there is yang preponderance. Thready and weak pulse, reddened tongue with scanty coating are signs of yin deficiency.

b) Deficiency of qi and blood:

Main manifestations: Blurred vision, weakness of breath, disinclination to talk, lassitude, poor appetite, loose stools, thready and weak pulse, pale tongue with thin white coating.

Analysis: The essential qi of all the zang - fu organs flows up to the eyes. When qi and blood in a deficiency state can not nourish the eyes, the vision becomes blurred. Qi deficiency of the spleen and stomach causes weakness of breath, disinclination to talk, lassitude, poor appetite and loose stools. Thready and weak pulse, pale tongue with thin and white coating are signs of deficiency ofqi and blood.

c) Stagnation of the liver qi:

Main manifestations: Blurred vision, emotional depression, dizziness, vertigo, hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat and string - taut pulse.

Analysis: The liver has its specific body opening in the eyes. Stagnation of the liver qi causes general obstruction of qi and blood which fail to ascend to nourish the eyes. So the vision is blurred. The Liver Meridian passes by the hypochondriac region, so there is hypochondriac pain when the liver qi is stagnated. Retarded qi may turn into fire, which flares up to cause dizziness, vertigo, bitter taste in the mouth and dry throat. String - taut pulse is the sign of a liver disease.

Treatment

Method: To reinforce the liver and kidney and nourish qi and blood by puncturing the points of the Foot - Shaoyang and Taiyang Meridians with reinforcing method for deficiency of the liver and kidney yin and deficiency ofqi and blood. Even movement is applied to the same points to remove the stagnation of the liver qi.

Prescription: [GB20 - BL1 - Qiuhou - GB39].

Deficiency of the liver and kidney yin: [LR3 - KI3 - BL18 - BL23].
Deficiency of qi and blood: [ST38 - SP6].
Stagnation of the liver qi: [LR14 - LR3 - GB34].

Explanation: The Foot - Shaoyang and Taiyang Meridians connect with the eye region, so GB20, GB37, BL1 are selected to regulate the qi circulation in the meridians and to improve the eyesight. Qiuhou (Extra) is an extra point effective for eye diseases. (BL18, BL23, KI3 and LR3 are used to reinforce the yin of the liver and kidney. ST36 and SP6 reinforce qi and blood. LR14, LR3 and GB34 remove stagnation of the liver qi.