Qi and Blood

A central principle is the regulation of Qi and Blood, which are considered the primary nutritive and functional forces sustaining ocular tissues. Adequate Qi ensures proper neural signaling and functional activity of the visual system, while healthy Blood flow supports the metabolic and structural needs of the retina, optic nerve, and choroid. Many eye disorders are viewed as manifestations of Qi stagnation, Blood stasis, or deficiency, leading to impaired perfusion, ischemia, or degenerative change.

Organ–Eye Interconnection

Another foundational concept is organ–eye interconnection, particularly the roles of the Liver and Kidney systems. The Liver is said to “open into the eyes” and governs smooth circulation and visual adaptability, while the Kidney stores Essence, which underpins retinal vitality, optic nerve integrity, and age-related visual resilience. Dysfunction in these systems may present as blurred vision, night blindness, progressive optic neuropathy, or degenerative retinal conditions.

Yin–Yang Balance

Yin–Yang balance is equally critical. Yin represents cooling, nourishing, and structural aspects of ocular tissues, whereas Yang governs warmth, circulation, and functional responsiveness. Excess Yang may manifest as inflammation, redness, or pressure-related disorders, while Yin deficiency is often associated with dryness, degeneration, and neuro-sensory decline. Acupuncture strategies are selected to restore this dynamic balance rather than suppress symptoms alone.

Local and Distal Point Integration

A defining clinical principle is the use of local and distal point integration. Local periocular points influence ocular circulation and tissue metabolism, while distal points—especially those emphasized in systems such as Tung’s Acupuncture—engage central nervous system reflexes and systemic regulatory pathways. This allows treatment to address both local pathology and its systemic drivers.

Regulation Over Replacement

Finally, Acupuncture Ophthalmology emphasizes regulation over replacement. Rather than forcing change, acupuncture seeks to normalize blood flow, reduce chronic inflammation, enhance neurotrophic support, and activate the body’s intrinsic repair mechanisms. This systems-based approach makes it particularly relevant for chronic, progressive, or functional eye conditions where restoration of physiological balance is essential for long-term visual preservation.

Dry Eye Disease (DED)

Among eye conditions studied, DED has the most consistent clinical research base, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Recent analyses report improvements in patient-reported symptoms and objective tear-film measures such as Schirmer testing and tear break-up time (TBUT), especially when acupuncture is used as an adjunct to standard lubrication.

From a mechanistic standpoint, biomedical hypotheses include modulation of ocular surface inflammation, effects on autonomic regulation that may influence lacrimal gland secretion, and changes in neuro-immune signaling relevant to corneal sensitivity and discomfort.

Glaucoma and Ocular Blood Flow

For glaucoma, the biomedical rationale often centers on ocular perfusion and neuroprotection rather than intraocular pressure alone. Some clinical and physiologic studies examine whether acupuncture can influence ocular blood flow parameters and related vascular indices in glaucoma populations. At the same time, the field is still building high-quality evidence on long-term endpoints (visual field preservation, OCT progression). Ongoing randomized research protocols reflect this push toward better-designed trials with clearer outcomes.

Degenerative Retinal/Optic Nerve Disorders

Degenerative conditions (e.g., retinitis pigmentosa) have attracted interest because acupuncture and related stimulation approaches may affect retinal blood flow, visual function proxies, and patient-reported outcomes. A randomized controlled trial literature exists for electrical stimulation approaches in RP that directly measured ocular/retinal blood flow alongside functional measures, illustrating the broader biomedical research direction around neuromodulation and perfusion. In parallel, sham-controlled acupuncture trial protocols for RP indicate continued efforts to determine whether observed benefits exceed placebo/context effects and to better characterize safety and durability.