Urban dwellers who use electronic devices for extended periods are prone to eye strain, and most have experienced it to some degree.Blurred visionSeeing floaters or black spots is a fairly common sensation. Some people unconsciously rub their eyes a few times, which improves the situation. However, ophthalmologists warn against ignoring this seemingly minor issue, as this symptom, commonly known as "floaters," could be a precursor to a serious eye condition.
Many people may have heard of floaters, but their understanding of them is often superficial. Some ophthalmologists have even pointed out that some people mistakenly believe that floaters are caused by mosquitoes flying into their eyes and ask if surgery is needed to remove them.
Strictly speaking, floaters are a symptom, not a disease in themselves. When looking at objects, sufferers see floating objects that move with their gaze, much like mosquitoes. These floaters are often more noticeable when looking at the sky or a light-colored background. They may appear as dots, nets, or lines, vary in number, and may be gray, black, or translucent.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Hsu Yung-lan warns that many eye conditions can cause symptoms of floaters. He specifically points out that if floaters suddenly increase in number, or are accompanied by flashes of light, or even dark spots appearing in parts of the field of vision, it could indicate a serious problem, such as retinal damage or detachment. Severe retinal detachment is a very serious condition and can even lead to blindness. Therefore, if you experience floaters or flashes of light, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible for a thorough eye examination.
The causes of floaters are mostly related to vitreous liquefaction in the eye, which may produce suspended particles during this process. Although floaters can occur at any age, in most cases, the amount of suspended particles in the vitreous body gradually increases with age, so the older you are, the higher the chance of developing floaters.
Dr. Xu stated that the vast majority of floaters are benign and have little impact on daily life, so there is usually no need to worry excessively. Currently, there is no medication that can effectively cure this condition. If floaters appear, patients can try slowly moving their eyeballs up, down, left, and right, which helps the vitreous fluid flow and can sometimes temporarily remove the floaters from their field of vision, reducing discomfort. If the condition is more severe, laser treatment is an option. The principle is to use a laser to break up the floaters, which are then absorbed by the eye. However, if the floaters are close to the retina, lens, or macula, laser treatment is not recommended. Furthermore, patients under 30 years old, those with high intraocular pressure, or those with glaucoma are not suitable for this type of treatment.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), benign floaters usually do not require special treatment and only need to be observed regularly. However, for degenerative floaters, TCM recommends improving or even curing the symptoms by regulating the body's constitution and strengthening eye care.
Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner Chen Hanxiong points out that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, floaters are called "fireflies filling the eyes," and the main cause is kidney deficiency, which leads to insufficient nourishment of the liver and eyes. Besides natural aging, serious illnesses and childbirth in women can also cause insufficient Qi and blood, thus affecting the eyes.eye health。
Traditional Chinese medicine typically uses herbs that tonify the liver and kidneys or replenish qi and blood to help alleviate floaters. In addition, acupuncture or eye massage can be used to promote local and systemic blood circulation. Gentle massage around the eye sockets with your fingertips can stimulate acupoints and blood vessels, helping to improve nutrient supply and blood flow to the eyes. Long-term adherence can also relieve eye fatigue and improve vision.
In addition to adjusting lifestyle habits, a healthy and balanced diet is also essential. It is recommended to make your own eye-protecting and liver-nourishing drinks, such as chrysanthemum eye-protecting tea: Take 10 qian of chrysanthemum, 3 liang of goji berries, and 4 qian of astragalus root, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar and 8 bowls of water. First, put the goji berries and astragalus root in a pot and boil them in water for about half an hour. Then add the chrysanthemum and rock sugar, and continue boiling for 10 minutes. Let it cool before drinking.
In addition, some traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, such as Bupleurum chinense, Clematis chinensis, Senecio scandens, Paeonia lactiflora, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Haliotis diversicolor, and Tribulus terrestris, also have the effect of nourishing the liver and improving eyesight. They can be used in appropriate combinations according to one's constitution. However, since everyone's constitution is different, it is recommended to consult a professional TCM doctor before drinking any of these herbs to ensure safety and effectiveness.






































