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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.

Natural Support for Eye Floaters with Acupuncture

Do you see spots, threads, or shadows drifting across your vision? You may be experiencing eye floaters—a common visual disturbance that can be distracting and frustrating.
While floaters are often considered harmless by Western medicine, many people seek natural methods to improve their eye comfort and clarity. That’s where acupuncture, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), may offer support.

What Are Eye Floaters?
Eye floaters appear as small shapes—like dots, cobwebs, or strands—that move across your field of vision, especially against a bright background. They are typically related to changes in the vitreous fluid of the eye and become more common with age, stress, screen fatigue, or after eye strain.

How Acupuncture Can Help:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the eyes are closely connected to the liver, kidney, and blood systems. When energy (Qi) and blood are not flowing smoothly to the eyes, vision may become disturbed or blurred.

Acupuncture treatments focus on:
•    Improving blood flow and oxygen supply to the eyes
•    Balancing internal organ systems that affect vision
•    Reducing visual fatigue and stress
•    Supporting overall eye wellness and clarity

While results vary from person to person, many patients report noticeable improvement in visual comfort after several treatments.

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.

How can acupuncture help Macular Degeneration?

Acupuncture for Macular Degeneration: A Complementary Approach

Macular degeneration, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. While conventional treatments focus on slowing disease progression, acupuncture offers a complementary therapy that can help enhance eye health and improve visual function.

How Acupuncture Can Help:

1. Improves Blood Circulation to the Eyes:
Acupuncture stimulates specific points to enhance blood flow to the retina and optic nerve, delivering oxygen and nutrients to support retinal health.

2. Reduces Inflammation and Oxidative Stress:
By modulating the immune system, acupuncture may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to retinal damage in macular degeneration.

3. Regulates the Nervous System:
Acupuncture helps balance the autonomic nervous system, reducing stress and supporting eye function.

4. Supports Organ Function (Traditional Chinese Medicine):
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), eye health is closely connected to the liver, kidney, and spleen. Acupuncture helps harmonize these systems, promoting overall eye health.

What Patients Report:
•    Improved visual clarity
•    Enhanced contrast sensitivity
•    Reduced visual distortion

Safety and Considerations: Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by a licensed and experienced acupuncturist. It is important to remember that acupuncture is not a cure for macular degeneration but rather a supportive therapy.

Contact Us for More Information:

To learn more about how acupuncture can support your eye health, contact us today for a consultation.
Phone: 416-455-0351
Address: 310-2175 Sheppard Ave East (Sheppard Ave & Victoria Park Ave)

Acupuncture for Glaucoma

Acupuncture has been widely used as a complementary or alternative therapy to manage glaucoma by addressing imbalances in the body that may contribute to the condition. While not a cure, acupuncture can support overall eye health and potentially slow the progression of the disease. Below are several ways acupuncture can help with glaucoma:

1. Improves Blood Flow to the Eyes

Acupuncture enhances blood circulation in the eye region, which helps nourish the optic nerve and retinal cells. Improved circulation can also contribute to reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), a key factor in glaucoma management.

2. Reduces Inflammation

Chronic inflammation can contribute to optic nerve damage. Acupuncture has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help protect delicate eye tissues and prevent further damage.

3. Regulates Intraocular Pressure (IOP)

Targeted acupuncture points, such as GB20 (Fengchi) and BL2 (Zanzhu), may promote better fluid drainage from the eye, helping to stabilize IOP levels and reduce strain on the optic nerve.

4. Relieves Stress and Tension

Stress can exacerbate glaucoma by causing vasoconstriction and raising IOP. Acupuncture promotes relaxation and reduces stress, which may help alleviate these factors and indirectly support IOP management.

5. Supports Optic Nerve Health

Acupuncture can stimulate mechanisms that promote nerve repair and improve microcirculation in the eyes, potentially slowing optic nerve degeneration and preserving vision.

6. Balances Energy (Qi) in the Liver and Kidneys

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), glaucoma is often associated with imbalances in the Liver and Kidney meridians. Acupuncture works to restore the flow of Qi and achieve harmony within these organ systems, which is believed to contribute to better eye health.

Potential Risks of High Myopia

High myopia, defined as nearsightedness of -6.00 diopters or more, poses significant risks beyond simple vision correction. Individuals with high myopia are susceptible to several serious eye conditions that can lead to vision impairment or even blindness.

Retinal Detachment

The elongation of the eyeball in high myopia stretches and thins the retina, increasing the likelihood of retinal tears or detachment. This condition can cause symptoms such as flashes of light, floaters, or a shadow over the visual field, and requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.

Myopic Macular Degeneration

High myopia can lead to degenerative changes in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision. This degeneration results in blurred or distorted central vision, significantly affecting activities like reading and recognizing faces.

Glaucoma

Individuals with high myopia have an increased risk of developing glaucoma, a condition characterized by damage to the optic nerve often associated with elevated intraocular pressure. Glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss if not detected and treated early.

Cataracts

High myopia is associated with an earlier onset of cataracts, where the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, leading to decreased vision. Surgical intervention is often required to restore vision in such cases.

Posterior Staphyloma

The progressive elongation of the eyeball can cause a protrusion at the back of the eye, known as posterior staphyloma. This condition further exacerbates retinal thinning and can lead to additional complications, including choroidal neovascularization.

Preventive Measures

Regular comprehensive eye examinations are crucial for individuals with high myopia to monitor for these potential complications. Early detection and timely treatment of associated conditions are essential to preserve vision. Protecting the eyes from trauma, avoiding activities that may increase the risk of retinal detachment, and maintaining overall eye health through proper nutrition and eye care practices are also important preventive strategies.

In conclusion, high myopia significantly increases the risk of several serious ocular conditions. Awareness and proactive management of these risks are vital to prevent vision impairment and maintain eye health.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective and Treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dry eye syndrome is primarily attributed to liver and kidney yin deficiency, qi and blood deficiency, internal damp heat, or wind-heat invasion. TCM believes that the health of the eyes is closely related to the functions of the liver and kidneys, as “the liver opens to the eyes,” and kidney essence nourishes the eyes. Dry eye syndrome often results from yin deficiency with internal heat, where the liver and kidney yin fluids are insufficient to sustain the eyes. Additionally, a weak spleen and stomach, leading to inadequate production of qi and blood, can also affect the nourishment of the eyes, causing dryness and discomfort.

Treatment Methods:

1. Nourishing Yin and Moistening the Eyes: For cases of liver and kidney yin deficiency, TCM commonly uses herbal formulas that nourish yin and blood, such as Qi Ju Di Huang Wan and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, to strengthen the liver and kidneys and moisten the eyes.

2. Clearing Heat and Reducing Fire: If dry eye syndrome is accompanied by symptoms like eye redness and pain, which may be due to wind-heat invasion or liver fire flaring up, TCM may employ herbs that clear heat and detoxify, such as Long Dan Xie Gan Wan, to alleviate these symptoms.

3. Tonifying Qi and Nourishing Blood: For dry eye caused by qi and blood deficiency, TCM often uses formulas like Gui Pi Tang or Ba Zhen Tang to replenish qi and blood, enhance vitality, and improve eye health.

4. Acupuncture Therapy:
Acupuncture is a common TCM treatment for dry-eye syndrome. By stimulating specific acupoints, such as Zan Zhu, Cheng Qi, and Feng Chi, acupuncture can regulate the flow of qi and blood around the eyes and relieve symptoms.

5. Warm Compresses and Eye Massage: TCM also emphasizes using warm compresses and eye acupoint massage, such as Jing Ming and Si Bai, to promote blood circulation around the eyes, increase tear secretion, and alleviate dryness.

TCM treatment for dry eye syndrome focuses on holistic regulation, addressing both symptoms and the underlying imbalances within the body.

Be cautious! The risks associated with high myopia are significant!

Eyeball elongation, specifically the increase in axial length, is a key characteristic of high myopia. Normally, the shape of the eyeball is close to spherical, but in patients with high myopia, the anterior-posterior diameter (axial length) is longer than normal. This elongation can lead to a series of problems, including:

1. Retinal Stretching

The elongation of the eye causes the retina to become thinner and more stretched, making it more susceptible to tears and detachment.

2. Scleral Thinning

The elongation of the eye also causes the sclera to thin, especially at the posterior pole of the eye, increasing the risk of posterior staphyloma.

3. Macular Damage

The elongation of the eyeball places additional stress on the macular region, potentially leading to macular degeneration or macular holes.

4. Optic Nerve Compression

Due to the excessive axial length, the optic nerve and surrounding blood vessels may be compressed, increasing the risk of glaucoma.

5. Vitreous Liquefaction

The elongation of the eyeball can also affect the structure of the vitreous body, making it more susceptible to liquefaction and degenerative changes, leading to floaters and other issues.

In summary, the elongation of the eyeball plays a crucial role in high myopia and is the primary mechanism behind these complications. Regular eye examinations and early intervention are essential for preventing and managing these conditions. Early acupuncture intervention can prevent the progression of myopia, thereby avoiding the occurrence of these complications.

What are the Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Treating Ophthalmic Diseases?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers unique benefits in treating ophthalmic diseases through a holistic and natural approach:

1. Holistic Regulation: TCM emphasizes a holistic approach, viewing the eyes as closely connected with the internal organs. By regulating the body’s functions and improving the health of the organs, it effectively treats eye disease. For example, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that the liver is closely connected to eye health. If a patient experiences symptoms like dry eyes or blurred vision, TCM might focus on improving liver function to address these eye issues. This holistic approach not only relieves eye discomfort but also enhances the patient’s overall health. Additionally, some patients may experience vision decline due to emotional instability and frequent anger, which TCM associates with liver dysfunction. Since excessive emotions can harm liver qi and impair vision, balancing liver function and emotions becomes essential in TCM treatment

2. Prevention-Oriented: TCM focuses on prevention by regulating the internal organs and strengthening the body’s defenses. This approach can help intervene in the early stages of disease or even before it occurs, reducing the incidence and recurrence of eye diseases.

3. Natural Therapies: TCM often employs natural therapies such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, and dietary therapy. These methods have fewer side effects and are suitable for long-term management, particularly beneficial for patients with chronic eye conditions.

These advantages make TCM an effective option, particularly for chronic and difficult-to-treat ophthalmic conditions.