Glaucoma is a syndrome characterized by increased intraocular pressure and progressive damage to the optic nerve fibers, leading to visual field defects. It includes primary glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and congenital glaucoma. Primary glaucoma is mainly caused by the peripheral adhesion of the iris leading to increased intraocular pressure, while congenital glaucoma is a hereditary eye disease primarily inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Clinically, primary glaucoma is the most common. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, glaucoma falls under the category of "internal obstructions caused by five types of wind." The occurrence of this disease is closely related to the liver. Since it is also a disease of the pupil, which is associated with the kidney, it is also closely related to the kidney. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that this disease is often caused by deficiencies in the liver and kidneys or by qi stagnation and phlegm and blood stasis, which hinder the nourishing function of the liver and kidney essence to the eyes, leading to a lack of nourishment for the eyes.
Liver Yang Hyperactivity Type: The condition presents as an acute onset with very high intraocular pressure, severe headache and eye pain, intense eye congestion, rapid decline in vision, or even blindness, irritability and easy anger, yellow urine, and dry and hard stools; the tongue is red, the coating is yellow, and the pulse is tense and rapid.
Phlegm-Fire Stagnation Type: High intraocular pressure, severe head and eye pain, decreased vision, dizziness, chest and epigastric fullness, nausea and vomiting, yellow urine, and constipated stools; the tongue is red, the coating is yellow and greasy, and the pulse is slippery and rapid.
Kidney Yang Deficiency Type: Slightly elevated intraocular pressure, headache and eye pain, dilated pupils, blurred vision, fatigue, poor appetite, cold extremities, and frequent nocturnal urination; the tongue is pale, the coating is white, and the pulse is thin and weak.
Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency Type: Slightly high intraocular pressure, headache and eye pain, dilated pupils, blurred vision, dizziness, tinnitus, dry mouth and throat, irritability, insomnia, and sore and weak waist and knees; the tongue is red, with little coating, and the pulse is thin and rapid.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Patients should be mindful to avoid eye fatigue, and after reading, watching TV, or using a computer for half an hour to an hour, they should stand up and look into the distance for 10 minutes to prevent an increase in intraocular pressure. 2. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and strong tea, eat more fruits and vegetables, and maintain regular bowel movements.