Integrating Chinese and Western Methods to Manage Floaters Symptoms
Urban people use electronic products for a long time, which can easily lead to eye strain.blurred visionThe sensation of seeing floaters, or black spots, is quite common. Some people subconsciously rub their eyes and the condition improves. However, ophthalmologists warn that it is important not to ignore seemingly minor issues, as these symptoms, commonly known as "floaters," may be a precursor to serious eye problems.
Many people may have heard of floaters, but their understanding of them is often superficial. Ophthalmologists have even pointed out that some people mistakenly believe that floaters are mosquitoes flying into the eyes and ask whether surgery is needed to remove them.
Strictly speaking, floaters are a symptom, not a distinct condition. Floaters involve the sight of small, moving objects that follow the line of sight, like mosquitoes. These floaters are often more noticeable when looking at the sky or against a light background. They can appear as dots, webs, or lines, and can be numerous or few in number. They can be gray, black, or translucent.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Xu Yonglan warns that many eye conditions can cause floaters. He specifically points out that if the number of floaters increases suddenly, or if they are accompanied by flashes of light, or even if a dark shadow appears in part of the visual field, it may 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 cause of floaters is often related to the liquefaction of the vitreous humor within the eye, which can produce suspended particles. While floaters can occur at any age, they are often caused by the gradual increase in suspended particles within the vitreous humor with aging. Therefore, the risk of floaters increases with age.
Dr. Xu explains that the vast majority of floaters are benign and have minimal impact on daily life, so there's generally no need for excessive concern. Currently, there's no medication that can effectively cure the condition. If floaters do occur, patients can try slowly rotating their eyeballs, moving them up and down, left and right. This helps the vitreous humor flow, sometimes temporarily removing the floaters from sight and alleviating discomfort. For more severe cases, laser treatment is an option. Laser treatment uses a laser to shatter the floaters, which are then absorbed by the eye. However, laser treatment is not recommended for floaters close to the retina, lens, or macula. Furthermore, patients under 30, those with elevated intraocular pressure, or those with glaucoma are not suitable candidates for this treatment.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, benign floaters generally require no special treatment, simply requiring regular observation. However, for degenerative floaters, TCM recommends improving or even completely curing the symptoms through physical conditioning and eye care.
Registered Chinese medicine practitioner Chen Hanxiong pointed out that Chinese medicine refers to floaters as "fireflies all over the eyes". The main cause is kidney deficiency, which leads to the inability to nourish the liver and eyes. In addition to the natural aging of the human body, serious illnesses, childbirth, etc. may also cause insufficient Qi and blood, which in turn affectsEye health.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) typically uses herbs that nourish the liver and kidneys or replenish qi and blood to help alleviate floaters. Acupuncture or eye massage can also be used to promote local and systemic qi and blood circulation. Gently massaging the eye sockets with your fingertips can stimulate the acupuncture points and blood vessels around the eyes, helping to strengthen the eye's nutritional supply and qi and blood circulation. Long-term practice can also relieve eye fatigue and improve vision.
In addition to adjusting your lifestyle, you should also prioritize a healthy and balanced diet. It's recommended to make homemade eye-protecting and liver-nourishing drinks, such as chrysanthemum eye-protecting tea: Combine 10 grams of chrysanthemum, 30 grams of wolfberry, and 4 grams of astragalus with an appropriate amount of rock sugar and 8 bowls of water. First, place the wolfberries and astragalus in a pot and boil for about half an hour. Then add the chrysanthemum and rock sugar and continue boiling for another 10 minutes. Let cool before drinking.
In addition, Chinese herbs like Bupleurum chinense, Cnidium officinale, Senecio chinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Chrysanthemum chrysanthemum, Semen Cassiae, and Tribulus terrestris also have the benefits of nourishing the liver and improving eyesight, and can be used in appropriate combinations based on your physical condition. However, since everyone's physical condition is different, it is recommended to consult a professional Chinese medicine practitioner before taking this medicine to ensure safety and effectiveness.
