Case Study: Acupuncture for Eye Floaters – Patient Julia, Age 55

Presenting Concerns:
Julia, a 55-year-old woman, came to our clinic with complaints of eye floaters that had persisted for several months. In addition, she was experiencing hot flashes, frequent nighttime awakenings (up to three times per night), and poor digestion, including irregular bowel movements.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis:
According to TCM theory, the eyes are closely related to the Liver, which stores and distributes blood to the eyes. Julia’s floaters were a sign that her Liver was not properly nourished. Several signs pointed to this imbalance:
    •    Waking up around 2:00 a.m. often indicates Liver Qi or Liver Blood imbalance.
    •    Digestive issues and poor bowel movements suggest a Spleen deficiency. In TCM, the Spleen is responsible for transforming food into Qi and Blood. When digestion is weak, the body cannot produce sufficient blood to nourish the eyes.
    •    Hot flashes and sleep disturbances are common during menopause and often reflect a decline in Kidney Yin. In TCM, the Kidneys are the foundation of Yin and Yang, and their weakness can affect both the Liver and Spleen.

The combination of weakened Kidney Yin, poor digestive function, and Liver imbalance resulted in insufficient nourishment to the eyes—leading to the development of floaters.

Treatment & Outcome:
After 10 sessions of acupuncture, Julia experienced significant improvement. Her eye floaters were almost completely resolved, and her other symptoms—including hot flashes, poor sleep, and digestive discomfort—also improved noticeably.

Conclusion:
This case illustrates how acupuncture addresses the root cause of symptoms rather than just the surface problem. By restoring balance to the Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys, Julia’s overall health improved, and the eye floaters were effectively treated. Acupuncture helped regulate her internal systems, increase blood flow to the eyes, and support general wellbeing.