Eye

Organ of vision; governed by the liver (see liver opens at the eyes). Parts of the eye are given in the list of entries below.

Parts of the Eye

• Five wheels
• Eight ramparts
• Canthus
• Eyelid
• Eyelid rim
• Eye nest
• Iris
• Dark of the eye
• White of the eye
• Pupil spirit
• Spirit jelly
• Eye connector

Diagnosis: Observing the eyes most often involves observing the spirit. Since the essence of the bowels and viscera flows up into the eyes, the eyes reflect the state of the bowels and viscera to some extent. Furthermore, the eyes connect through to the brain, which is referred to as the sea of marrow, and the essence of marrow is in the pupils. Therefore, the pupils, marrow, and essence are considered to be closely related; and the pupils are considered to reflect marrow and essence. In practical diagnosis, if the pupils are normal in enduring or severe illnesses, the disease is considered to be still curable. Conversely, if patients have lusterless eyes, and tend to keep their eyes shut, taking no interest in the world, or if the spirit of their eyes has an abnormal appearance, the condition is critical. If the eyes are turned upward or sideways, or look fixedly ahead, the condition is one of liver wind stirring internally. Dilation of the pupils may, in severe illness, be a sign of approaching death. Reddening of the eyes, often with copious discharge that occurs as part of a broader pattern, usually indicates externally contracted wind-heat, heart fire, or liver fire. See red eyes.

Eye Signs

• Clouded vision
• Flowery vision
• Dry eyes
• Eye pain
• Eye discharge
• Itchy eyes
• Aversion to light
• Yellowing of the eyes
• Tearing on exposure to wind

Lusterless eyes indicate a dual vacuity of blood and qì. Swollen and painful darks of the eyes (corneae) are generally associated with liver fire. Yellowing of the whites of the eyes (sclerae) indicate jaundice, which most often signifies damp-heat, and in rare cases, cold-damp. Dark rings around the eyes indicate kidney vacuity, whereas green-blue or purple rings indicate intraorbital bleeding. Sunken eyes indicate a severe condition of damage to liquid and humor desertion. Slight puffiness around the eyes indicates incipient water swelling. However, senile debilitation of kidney qì may be characterized by slackening and puffiness of the lower lids, though in most cases this does not constitute a sign of disease. Bulging of the eyes is usually caused by binding phlegm-fire depression. For diseases of they eye, see the entries listed below.