Red vessels spreading across the eye

Also red vessels invading the eye. A pathocondition characterized by visible red vessels ramifying outward from the inner or outer canthus, sometimes stretching into the dark of the eye, and associated with dry itchy eyes, in some cases tearing and discharge. Red vessels invading the eye are attributable to ascendant hyperactivity of heart fire, kidney water vacuity, or triple burner accumulated heat.

Biomedical correspondence: ciliary hyperemia.

Patterns

Repletion fire (实火 shí huǒ) is characterized by large thick red vessels, itching, dryness, stabbing pain, and dry discharge with hot tears.

Medicinal therapy: Clear heat and drain fire. Use Three Yellows Heart-Draining Decoction (三黄泻心汤 sān huáng xiè xīn tāng) plus forsythia (Forsythiae Fructus, 连翘 lián qiào), schizonepeta (Schizonepetae Herba, 荆芥 jīng jiè), red peony (Paeoniae Radix Rubra, 赤芍药 chì sháo yào), plantago seed (Plantaginis Semen, 车前子 chē qián zǐ), mint (Menthae Herba, 薄荷 bò hé), and chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemi Flos, 菊花 jú huā).

Vacuity fire (虚火 xū huǒ) is characterized by pale red vessels, and only slight itching and pain.

Medicinal therapy: Enrich yīn and downbear fire. Use Heart-Supplementing Decoction (补心汤 bǔ xīn tāng) or variations of Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill (六味地黄丸 liù wèi dì huáng wán). Compare tangled red-thread vessels.