Imagine an oil lamp with its wick burning, but the oil is nearly gone. The flame flickers, dim and bright by turns, and gives off black smoke. You pour water on the wick, and the flame is temporarily suppressed, but since no oil has been added, before long it is dry and itchy again—perhaps even worse. Dry, itchy eyes that eye drops can't fix—isn't this just like that lamp? Eye drops only temporarily "sprinkle" the surface without solving the problem of the "oil" and the "fire." In TCM clinical practice, this condition is often not simply a lack of water, but rather a disruption in the "oil supply" or "heat regulation" of the zang-fu organs. So what exactly is wrong with this "lamp"?
The Liver Opens into the Eyes: Where Does the Eyes' "Oil" Come From?
TCM theory states that the liver opens into the eyes, and the nourishment and function of the eyes depend on the moistening of liver blood. If liver blood is insufficient, it is like having too little lamp oil—the eyes naturally become dry. But why don't eye drops help? Because eye drops are external "water," not the "oil" the body produces itself. People with liver blood deficiency often also present with a dull complexion, brittle and thin nails, and easy fatigue. Clinically, this group experiences worsened symptoms after prolonged eye use and staying up late, and simply replenishing water cannot change the root cause of insufficient liver blood production. Therefore, to care for the eyes, one must first ask whether liver blood reserves are adequate.
From the perspective of the meridians, there is a commonly used acupoint on the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian—Taichong (LR3), also known as Dachong, located on the dorsum of the foot, in the depression anterior to the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones. It belongs to the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and is the Yuan-Source point and Shu-Stream point of the Liver Meridian. The Lingshu: Jiu Zhen Shi Er Yuan states, "When the five zang organs have disease, one should select from the twelve Yuan-Source points." Taichong is a key location where the qi and blood of the Liver Meridian gather and reside, and it is closely connected to the liver's functions of governing free flow of qi and storing blood.
Kidney Water and Liver Wood: The "Mother-Child" Relationship Behind Dryness
The liver belongs to wood, the kidney belongs to water, and water generates wood—kidney water is the "upstream" of liver blood. If kidney yin is insufficient, liver wood receives no nourishment, just as when an upstream reservoir dries up, the downstream riverbed naturally runs dry. Dry, itchy eyes that eye drops can't fix are especially common among people with kidney yin deficiency, who may also experience soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dry mouth and throat, and night sweats. In such cases, supplementing liver blood alone is not enough; one must consider the "upstream" water source. In TCM clinical practice, it is necessary to distinguish whether liver blood deficiency or kidney yin deficiency predominates, as the treatment directions differ and cannot be lumped together.
On the Kidney Meridian there is an acupoint called Taixi (KI3), also known as Lüxi, located in the depression between the tip of the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon. It belongs to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and is the Yuan-Source point and Shu-Stream point of the Kidney Meridian. The qi and blood of the Kidney Meridian converge here to form a relatively large stream, hence the name Taixi. TCM theory holds that Taixi is closely related to the rise and decline of kidney essence and kidney qi, and it is often used to observe the deficiency or excess states of kidney yin and kidney yang.
The Lungs' "Mist and Dew" and the Eyes' "Moisture"
The lungs govern diffusion and descending, and can distribute the essence of food and water throughout the body, including to the eyes. This is like the morning mist and dew that moisten all things. If lung qi is insufficient or lung yin is deficient, the diffusion function becomes impaired, and the eyes may lose the nourishment of this "mist and dew," becoming dry. Clinically, people who spend long periods in air-conditioned rooms or dry environments, or those with chronic cough, often have dry, itchy eyes that eye drops can't fix, accompanied by dry nose, dry throat, and dry skin. At this point, nurturing the lungs' "mist and dew" function is more meaningful in the long term than simply applying eye drops.
The Lung Meridian's Taiyuan (LU9), also known as Taiquan, is located on the radial side of the transverse crease of the wrist, at the pulsation of the radial artery. It belongs to the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and is the Yuan-Source point and Shu-Stream point of the Lung Meridian, as well as the Meeting point of vessels among the Eight Influential Points. Taiyuan is where the qi and blood of the Lung Meridian gather, and the lungs' function of "governing the hundred vessels" is particularly evident at Taiyuan. The ancients called Taiyuan the "great meeting of the vessels," corresponding to the lungs' functions of diffusion and descending and the distribution of body fluids.
Time and Meridians: 1-3 AM, When the Liver Meridian "Works Overtime"
Meridian circulation follows fixed time periods. The Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian's pathway starts from the big toe, passes through the medial side of the lower limb, circles around the genitalia, ascends to the hypochondrium, and connects to the ocular system. Its governing time period is the Chou hour (1-3 AM). If one frequently wakes during this time period, or sleeps restlessly, it often indicates poor flow of qi and blood in the Liver Meridian. For those with dry, itchy eyes that eye drops can't fix, sleep quality during the Chou hour is especially critical. In TCM clinical practice, it is recommended—under a physician's guidance—to appropriately massage the Taichong point on the Liver Meridian during the day. However, the specific frequency and technique must be determined by a licensed TCM practitioner and should not be performed on one's own.
Moxibustion and Daoyin: It's Not "Moxa Wherever It's Dry"
Moxibustion is not simply "moxa wherever there is discomfort." For dry eyes, blindly applying moxibustion to the eye area may add fuel to the fire. Clinically, one must first differentiate the pattern: if it is a cold-deficiency constitution—such as aversion to cold, cold hands and feet, and a pale, swollen tongue—moxibustion may indirectly improve ocular nourishment; but if it is yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity—such as a red tongue with little coating, and irritability—moxibustion will instead worsen the dryness. As for daoyin, the traditional "Xu" ( shh) sound technique (making a "xu" sound while slowly exhaling) may help soothe the liver and brighten the eyes, but it must be practiced under professional guidance and should not be blindly imitated.
Time-Based Care: Sleep Well During the Chou Hour, Nourish the Stomach During the Chen Hour
During the Chou hour (1-3 AM), the Liver Meridian is in command; only with deep sleep at this time can liver blood return to storage and regenerate. If one stays up late over the long term, liver blood cannot repair itself, and dry, itchy eyes that eye drops can't fix are the body's "alarm." During the Chen hour (7-9 AM), the Stomach Meridian is in command; eating a warm, easily digestible breakfast at this time helps the generation and transformation of qi and blood, indirectly nourishing liver blood. Clinically, many people with dry eyes eat a perfunctory breakfast or even skip it altogether, which is equivalent to cutting off the source of "oil." Caring for the eyes begins with adjusting daily routines and dietary habits—this is more fundamental than any eye drops.
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Dry, itchy eyes that eye drops can't fix—the problem with this "lamp" may lie in liver blood, kidney water, or lung qi, or it may lie in time periods and meridians. In TCM clinical practice, there is no "universal solution"; every person is a unique "lamp." Are you willing to calm your mind and listen to what this lamp of the body is truly trying to say?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are dry eyes and "internal heat" the same thing? Why do some people feel even drier after taking heat-clearing herbs?
Not necessarily. Dry eyes may arise from deficiency fire (yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity) or excess fire (liver fire flaming upward). The two appear similar but differ in nature. Deficiency fire requires nourishing yin, while excess fire requires clearing heat. Misusing heat-clearing herbs may damage yin and worsen the dryness.
2. Why do some people with dry eyes need to supplement liver blood, while others need to supplement kidney yin?
This depends on the relationship between "upstream" and "downstream." If liver blood deficiency predominates, supplementing liver blood is sufficient; if kidney yin is insufficient, one must address the "water source." TCM pattern differentiation requires a licensed TCM practitioner to make a comprehensive judgment based on the tongue, pulse, and symptoms.
3. Does massaging acupoints around the eye socket help with dryness?
Moderate massage may promote local qi and blood circulation, but attention must be paid to pressure and direction. If accompanied by acute inflammation (such as redness, swelling, or pain), massage may worsen the problem. It is recommended to perform it under a physician's guidance and not to apply force blindly.
4. Is dry eye syndrome the same as what TCM calls "eye dryness"?
Not entirely equivalent. TCM's "eye dryness" covers a broader scope, including dry eye syndrome, visual fatigue, insufficient tear secretion, and other conditions. Modern medicine's dry eye syndrome may be differentiated in TCM from various angles such as liver blood, kidney yin, or lung dryness.