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
- Ophthalmology of TCM - Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency.
- Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency → Cross-layer.
- 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.
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