With advancements in modern technology, many people heavily rely on 3C products, staring at computer screens during work hours and remaining glued to their smartphones after work. Besides causing eye fatigue and soreness, excessive screen time can also lead to the development of one of the modern civilization’s ailments – floaters. According to TCM, floaters are indicative of liver and kidney deficiency and are not exclusive to the elderly; individuals of any age group can experience them.
Seeing something floating in your vision? Aging and excessive screen time are the main causes of floaters.
Dr. Zheng Ailian, Chief Physician at Sheng Yuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, explains that floaters are a physiological phenomenon of vitreous degeneration in the eyes. Besides natural aging, the primary cause is excessive screen time. Modern individuals often use 3C products at close range for prolonged periods. Factors such as high myopia, previous eye surgeries, and frequent late nights can accelerate eye degeneration. In recent years, there has been an increase in patients seeking treatment for floaters.
Dr. Zheng reveals that many patients often complain of “annoying floaters in front of their eyes that they can’t seem to catch.” This phenomenon occurs when the vitreous degenerates, resulting in various shapes of floaters floating inside the vitreous. These floaters can appear as dots, lines, strands, circles, or irregular shapes, affecting one or both eyes. While a small number may be bothersome but tolerable, an excessive amount can impair vision and quality of life.
TCM treatment focuses on regulating the liver and kidneys to promote blood circulation, with medication complemented by acupuncture yielding the best results.
Dr. Zheng treated a male Taiwanese businessman in his fifties with high myopia of over 1000 degrees who complained of floaters in his left eye. After three weeks of treatment with Chinese medicine and acupuncture last December, the color of the floaters changed from dark gray to light gray. Upon returning to mainland China, he continued medication and returned to Taiwan before the Lunar New Year for further treatment, resulting in almost complete disappearance of floaters. Another university student, due to academic pressure and frequent late nights, also developed floaters but recovered after a month of medication combined with acupuncture treatment.
From a TCM perspective, the main cause of floaters is liver and kidney deficiency. Dr. Zheng explains that floaters belong to the category of deficiency syndromes, indicating vitreous degeneration, unlike inflammation or swelling seen in most excess syndromes. Treatment involves taking Chinese medicine to regulate the liver and kidneys, such as promoting blood circulation with herbs like danggui and astragalus, nourishing the liver and kidneys with shudihuang, and clearing the liver and improving vision with juemingzi. For individuals with a dry-heat constitution, chrysanthemum can be added to clear heat. The effects of medication are gradual and gentle. When combined with acupuncture sessions at least twice a day or week, stimulating acupoints around the eyes and promoting blood circulation can alleviate fatigue and soreness, instantly brightening the eyes.
Eye massage and exercises can help improve vision. Dietary and lifestyle changes are also crucial for improvement.
Additionally, Dr. Zheng suggests incorporating eye massages and eye exercises into daily routines. Firstly, lightly press or rub from the sides of the eyebrows, the center of the eyebrows, to the temples (outer sides of the eyes), then to the middle part of the lower eye sockets (directly below the eyeballs), and finally, press on the inner corners of the eyes, each for 5 times. After completing this, close both eyes and perform eye exercises: move the eyes from right to left, left to right, up to down, and down to up, five times each. Then, rotate the eyeballs clockwise and counterclockwise, five times each. Afterward, cover both eyes with warmed palms for about a minute to soothe and improve vision.
If floaters appear, it is advisable to visit an ophthalmologist to rule out pathological problems such as retinal or vascular diseases. Dietary habits should include less spicy and less fried foods. Continuing old habits like overexertion, staying up late, and socializing excessively can harm the liver and kidneys, potentially leading to the recurrence of floaters. When going out, it’s recommended to wear sunglasses in dark or brown shades for better sun protection. Dr. Zheng reminds that floaters are usually related to individual genetic predispositions, and the earlier the treatment after symptoms appear, the quicker the recovery. However, if the condition has persisted for several years, the treatment duration might be longer.