Eye Strain Headache - Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Eye Strain Headache · Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency is a chronic pattern in eye strain headache, characterized by accommodative fatigue with dry eye, blurred vision, dry throat, dizziness, and headache. The core pathogenesis is Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency failing to nourish the eyes and head, leading to accommodative fatigue, dry eye, and reduced accommodative amplitude.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Dry eyes, blurred vision, headache, accommodative fatigue |

| Associated Symptoms | Dry throat, dizziness, tinnitus, soreness in the lower back and knees |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with little coating, thready and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency failing to nourish the eyes |

| Etiology | Aging, chronic eye strain, constitutional Yin deficiency, overwork |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Ganshu (BL18) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T9 | Back-Shu point of Liver meridian; nourishes Liver-Yin |

| Shenshu (BL23) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L2 | Back-Shu point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney-Yin |

| Taixi (KI3) | Depression between medial malleolus and Achilles tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney-Yin |

| Cuanzhu (BL2) | In the depression at the medial end of the eyebrow | Local point; treats eye pain and headache |

| Guangming (GB37) | 5 cun above the lateral malleolus | Luo-Connecting point of Gallbladder meridian; brightens the eyes |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; may combine with moxibustion on Shenshu to warm and tonify.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (杞菊地黄丸)

Composition:

Goji Berry (Gou Qi), Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua), Rehmannia (Shu Di), Dioscorea (Shan Yao), Cornus (Shan Zhu Yu), Poria (Fu Ling), Moutan (Mu Dan Pi), Alisma (Ze Xie)

Action: Nourishes Liver-Kidney Yin, brightens the eyes, and relieves headache.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Dry eyes | Add Gou Qi, Ju Hua to brighten the eyes |

| Blurred vision | Add Gou Qi, Ju Hua to nourish the Liver and brighten the eyes |

| Dizziness | Add Tian Ma, Gou Teng to calm Liver Wind |

| Lower back and knee soreness | Add Du Zhong, Xu Duan to strengthen the lower back |

Western Mechanism Reference

Accommodative fatigue with dry eye, reduced accommodative amplitude, and decreased lacrimal gland secretion. Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency corresponds to chronic eye strain with dry eye and accommodative dysfunction, where reduced lacrimal secretion and accommodative amplitude contribute to eye fatigue and headache.

References

  1. Ophthalmology of TCM - Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency → Cross-layer.

  3. WHO. (2023). Vision and eye health. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for eye health.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM eye health.