Eye Strain Headache · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Head
Pattern Overview
Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in eye strain headache, characterized by visual fatigue with accommodative insufficiency, reduced accommodative microfluctuation amplitude, headache, and generalized fatigue. The core pathogenesis is Qi-Blood deficiency failing to nourish the eyes and head, leading to accommodative insufficiency, visual fatigue, and headache.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|---|
| Primary Symptoms | Visual fatigue, headache, accommodative insufficiency, generalized fatigue |
| Associated Symptoms | Pale complexion, shortness of breath, dizziness, poor sleep |
| Tongue and Pulse | Pale tongue with thin white coating, thready and weak pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Qi-Blood deficiency failing to nourish the eyes |
| Etiology | Chronic eye strain, poor nutrition, overwork, blood loss, postpartum |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi and Blood |
| Pishu (BL20) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T11 | Back-Shu point of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen-Qi |
| Qihai (RN6) | 1.5 cun below the umbilicus | Tonifies Qi and strengthens the body |
| Cuanzhu (BL2) | In the depression at the medial end of the eyebrow | Local point; treats eye pain and headache |
| Taiyang (EX-HN5) | In the depression at the temple | Relieves headache and eye strain |
| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus | Nourishes Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |
Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli and Qihai to warm and tonify Qi and Blood.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Ba Zhen Tang (八珍汤) or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (补中益气汤)
Composition:
Ginseng (Ren Shen), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling), Angelica (Dang Gui), White Peony (Bai Shao), Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Rehmannia (Shu Di), Cimicifuga (Sheng Ma), Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Supplements Qi and Blood, lifts Yang, and nourishes the eyes.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|---|
| Severe visual fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |
| Dizziness | Add Tian Ma, Gou Teng to calm Liver Wind |
| Poor sleep | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |
| Cold limbs | Add Gui Zhi, Sheng Jiang to warm the meridians |
Western Mechanism Reference
Visual fatigue with accommodative insufficiency, reduced accommodative microfluctuation amplitude, and reduced convergence function. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to chronic visual fatigue with accommodative insufficiency, where reduced accommodative amplitude and convergence function contribute to eye strain and headache.
References
- Ophthalmology of TCM - Qi-Blood Deficiency.
- Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Qi Deficiency + Blood Deficiency.
- 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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