Crab’s-eye

A condition characterized by an erosive screen on the dark of the eye (iris and cornea) from which a bead-like formation resembling the eye of a crab emerges. It is caused by accumulated heat in the liver surging up into the eyes or by external injury. The bead-like formation is surrounded by a white screen and is associated with acute eye pain, aversion to light, and tearing. It leaves a scar on healing, and if the spirit jelly (vitreous humor) of the eye escapes, blindness usually ensues.

Biomedical correspondence: iridoptosis.

Medicinal therapy: Clear the liver and drain fire. Use variations of Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction (龙胆泻肝汤 lóng dǎn xiè gān tāng). When the redness and pain has abated, treat by nourishing yīn and clearing fire with Kidney-Settling Abalone Shell Pill (镇肾决明丸 zhèn shèn jué míng wán) and Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill (知柏地黄丸 zhī bǎi dì huáng wán).