ENT & Eyeyǎnjing gānsè

Dry & Tired Eyes

Also called:Dry eyesGritty eyesEye dryness

From the TCM perspective: TCM 'bai se zheng' (dry-eye); liver opens into the eyes; located in the eye, related to liver, kidney and lung.

Overview

Dry eyes cause dryness, a gritty foreign-body sensation, burning, rapid visual fatigue or reduced tears. TCM calls it 'white dryness' / drying of the spirit water; the liver opens into the eyes and prolonged gazing injures blood. Causes include liver yin-blood insufficiency, external wind-heat, damp-heat and visual overstrain.

☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)

Insufficient liver yin/blood

Key distinguishing signs: Dry light-sensitive eyes with blurred, easily fatigued vision, dizziness, tinnitus, pale or red tongue with little coat, fine pulse.
Treatment principle: Nourish liver blood/yin to brighten the eyes

External wind-heat

Key distinguishing signs: Dry itchy red eyes with tearing and gritty sensation, sore throat or congestion, red tongue tip, thin yellow coat, floating rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Dispel wind, clear heat and brighten the eyes

Damp-heat (toxin) obstruction

Key distinguishing signs: Dry eyes with discharge, red heavy lids, sticky bitter taste, chest oppression, poor appetite, red tongue with yellow greasy coat, soggy rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Clear heat, drain dampness and brighten the eyes

Visual overstrain injuring qi-blood

Key distinguishing signs: Worsening dryness after prolonged screen use, eye strain, dizziness, fatigue or poor sleep, pale tongue, fine weak pulse.
Treatment principle: Tonify qi-blood and use the eyes moderately

Daily self-care

Follow 20-20-20: every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, and blink consciously.
Humidify rooms, avoid direct airflow and smoke, and use artificial tears properly (preservative-free for frequent use).
Position the screen slightly below eye level; persistent symptoms, red painful eyes or vision loss need an eye exam.

When to seek medical help

The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:

Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, light sensitivity or halos around lights: emergency eye care (acute glaucoma, etc.).
Eye injury, chemical splash, or severe red painful eye with contact lenses: irrigate and seek immediate care.
Dry eyes with dry mouth, joint pain or recurrent mouth ulcers: evaluate for Sjogren's and similar conditions.

Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.

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