Why Do Eye Floaters Happen When You’re Low in Qi and Blood?

Understanding Eye Floaters Through the Lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Have you ever noticed small black spots or thread-like shadows floating across your vision? These are called eye floaters, and while Western medicine explains them as changes in the vitreous gel inside the eye, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a deeper, holistic understanding.

So why does TCM say that Qi and Blood Deficiency can cause floaters? Let’s explain in simple terms.

1. Your Eyes Are Like a Water Well

Think of your eyes as a water well, and the vitreous (the gel inside the eye) as the clean water in that well. Your body needs to constantly deliver nutrients and moisture (via Qi and Blood) to keep that “water” clear.

When you are low in Qi and Blood:
    •    There’s less water flowing into the well
    •    The water becomes stagnant and cloudy
    •    Sediments start floating up — this is like what happens in your eye when floaters appear

2. Qi = Movement | Blood = Nourishment

In TCM, Qi is the energy that pushes and moves things, while Blood is the actual substance that nourishes your organs — including your eyes.

If you are Qi-deficient:
    •    There’s not enough energy to push blood to nourish the eyes

If you are Blood-deficient:
    •    The eyes don’t get enough nutrients, and the vitreous begins to age, dry out, and form clumps

That’s why Qi and Blood Deficiency can directly lead to blurry vision, eye dryness, and floaters.

3. It’s Like a Fish Tank Without a Filter

Imagine you have a fish tank. When the water pump is weak and no fresh water comes in, the tank becomes:
    •    Cloudy
    •    Full of floating debris
    •    Hard to see through

This is exactly how your eyes feel when your body isn’t supplying enough clean, nourishing Blood to the vitreous. Floaters are like those pieces of dirt floating in the tank.

4. Common Signs You May Have Qi and Blood Deficiency:
    •    Fatigue and low energy
    •    Poor digestion
    •    Pale complexion
    •    Dizziness
    •    Light or irregular menstruation (in women)
    •    Dry eyes or eye floaters

These are not isolated issues — they are signs that your body needs deeper support. Floaters are just the “tip of the iceberg.”

5. How Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Help

In TCM, we don’t just treat the eyes — we strengthen your whole system so that Qi and Blood flow better.

Acupuncture and herbs:
    •    Improve digestion so you can create more Blood
    •    Strengthen the Liver and Spleen (which support eye health)
    •    Nourish the Kidneys (especially important in aging and menopause)
    •    Improve circulation to the eyes

When Qi and Blood are abundant and flowing smoothly, the “water in the well” becomes clear again — and floaters naturally fade or disappear.

Final Thought:

Eye floaters are not just an eye problem — they’re a signal that your body is out of balance. By restoring Qi and Blood, Traditional Chinese Medicine helps not only your vision, but your whole vitality.