Glaucoma is a condition which results in loss of vision due to high pressure in the eye, although there is no asscociated disease in the eye.The pressure in the eye is called IOP (Intraoccular pressure). There are several types of glaucoma which occur at differeing rates but all are characterised by high IOP, which damages the nerve fibres and the Optic Nerve. If untreated, glaucoma leads to gradual peripheral vision loss and, ultimately, blindness. The different types of glaucoma are: chronic open-angle (primary), acute angle-closure, low tension (normal IOP that is too high for a particular person), congenital (inherited), and secondary to other causes. Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States. About 2.5 million Americans are afflicted with the disease, but only 1 million know that they have it. Its incidence is highest among blacks, and it is the single most common cause of blindness in that group. Early treatment helps in retarding vision loss.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers this kind of disease, a problem with the wind,sputum fire and the blood in the body. Patients with glaucoma suffer from the lack of proper functioning of the liver. The TCM treatment is very effective when using herbal medicine and acupuncture together.

TCM considers this kind of disease to occur more in people who have head wind problems, higher sputum fire and low blood level in the body. These patients also show over emotional character due to the defect in the liver function. The TCM treatment is very effective, using herbal medication and Acupuncture together and controls the Liver fire immediately and leads the Qi through the disorder area. Clinically, it is effective is promoting vision, reducing the swolleing in the eyes and relieving higher eye pressure syndrome. At a later phase of the disease western medicine and TCM work together, producing better results.

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Syndrome (a)
Liver energy stasis raises to fire disorder

Due to the Liver stasis, more fire goes up to the eye, patient has fever, he suffers from headaches and is down in spirits, tongue is red and the pulse is string-like.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Dredging the fire and removing heat stasis to alleviate the stasis.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for dissipating Qi and blood stasis channel up to eyes. Radix Gentianae, Anemarrhena, Platycodon Root, Ledebouriella root, Notopterygium root, Rhubarb, Mirabilite at each 10g; Scutellaria and Uncaria at each 12g; Plantain Seed and Scrophularia at each 15g; Haliotis 30g.

Simple Prescription: Ming-Mu Shang-Qing Wan twice a day.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Regulating the Circulation of Qi, discharging fire, resolving blood stasis and relieving swelling by using points mainly from Extra meridian point and the Urine Bladder meridian of Food Tai-Yang and the Liver meridian of Food Jue-Yin.

Prescription: Ge-Shu (UB17), Gan-Shu (UB18), Yuyao (Extra3), Taiyang (Extra2), Xingjian (Li2). Acupuncture 10-20 minutes or with Cold Moxibustion at each point 1-2 minutes.

  

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Syndrome (b)
Yin material weakness and Yang function raises

Due to the Yin material of organ, Yang syndrome is raised up, and clinically patient has headaches, his eyes feel tired, he has bad breath, dry mouth and sleep difficulty; tongue is red with yellow and greasy fur, and pulse is fast.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Cleaning the fire and expelling eye stasis to arrest wind in liver meridian.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for removing blood stagnation in the head area. Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, Red peony peel, Achyranthes and Chrysanthemun at each 10g; Uncaria 12g; Tuckahoe, Alisma and White Peony Root at each 15g; Crude Oyster shell), Rehmannia root and Haliotis at each 30g.

Simple Prescription: Zhi-Bo Di-Huang Wang one time a pill, twice a day.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Regulating the Circulation of Qi, discharging heat, resolving blood stasis and relieving pain by using points mainly from Food Yang-Min Stomach meridian point and the Hand Yang-Ming Lung meridian points and Food Tai-Yang Spleen meridian points and Urine Bladder meridian of the Food Tai-Yang points.

Prescription: Shen-Shu (UB23), Chengqi (ST1), Sibai (ST2), Hegu (LI4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) 15-30 minutes Acupuncture and 2-5 minutes Cold Moxibustion.

  

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Syndrome (c)
Sputum with fire up to trouble eye

Due to the sputum fire raising up to the head and eye, the patient has headaches, eye pain, dry mouth, decreased appetite, a swollen tongue with yellow and greasy fur and a string pulse.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Cleaning the fire and expelling sputum to arrest pain.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for removing blood stagnation in the head area. Hydrastis 8g; Pinellia tuber and Uncaria at each 12g; Tangerine peel 6g; Prunella and Tuckahoe 15g; Cotoneaster shell, Bamboo bud and Batryticated silkworm at each 10g; Liquorice 3g.

Simple Prescription: Qu-Feng Ding-Tong Tang one time a bowl, twice a day.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Regulating the Circulation of Qi, discharging sputum fire, resolving blood stasis and relieving swelling by using points mainly from Food Yang-Min Stomach meridian point and the Hand Yang-Ming Lung meridian points and Food Tai-Yin Spleen meridian points and Food Tai-Yang meridian of Urine Bladder points.

Prescription: Ge-Shu (UB17), Chengqi (ST1), Sibai (ST2), Hegu (LI4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) 15-30 minutes Acupuncture and 2-5 minutes cold Moxibustion.

  

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Syndrome (d)
Liver and Kidney both lower material level

Due to the Liver and Kidney energy lowered, weakness occurs, the patient is down in spirit, has bad vision, headaches, low back ache, tinnitus (ringing in ears), problems with sleep, and the tongue is white with less greasy fur, and the pulse is mild.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Restoring the fundamental energy of Liver and Kidney and making the body strong.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for restoring Qi and blood weakness through in the head area. Lycium Fruit, Chrysanthemun, Red peony peel, Alisma, Angelica, Cuscuta at each 10g; Tuckahoe and Dioscorea at each 15g; and Chuanxiong rhizome at each 6g; White Peony Root 12g; Salvia 15g; Rehmannia cocked 30g.

Simple Prescription: Shi-Hu Ye-Guang Wan one time a pill, twice a day.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Regulating the Circulation of Qi and blood, restoring Yin material, resolving blood stasis and relieving pain in eye. By using points mainly from Urine Bladder meridian of the Food Tai-Yang points and Food Yang-Min Stomachs meridian points and the Hand Yang-Ming Lung meridian points and Food Tai-Yin Spleen meridian points.

Prescription: Ge-Shu (UB17), Gan-Shu (UB18), Shen-Shu (UB23), Chengqi (ST1), Sibai (ST2), Hegu (LI4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) 15-30 minutes Acupuncture and 2-5 minutes Cold Moxibustion.

  

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

(a) Qigong and other therapies
1. Qigon: Qigong exercise is quite effective for this disease. The Liver and Kidney meridian could get good restoration and as a result, emotions can be adjusted. Method: self setting exercise 10-30 minutes, relax and lead the Qi through the liver and kidney area down to the foot, then relieve the bad energy out of the foot, and before finishing, use hand and self massage from head to abdomen and low back.

For effect of Qigong on the Nervous System Function, click here.

Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of this specific ailment, however individual results may vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even months of practice before you'll see any significant improvements.

The following types of Qigong may help:

• Static Qigong:
  Inner-Nourishing Qigong
  Six-Character Formula
  Standing Qigong
  
• Dynamic Qigong:
  Fifteen Sets of Taiji-Qigong
  Taiji
  
• Specific Dynamic Qigong:
  Eye Qigong.
  

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.

This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.

Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visitors.