1. Irritation
Gritty, scratchy, or burning feel on the eye surface.
In brief
Gritty, burning, or tired eyes that water oddly often read as dry eye syndrome, when tear production falls or tears evaporate too fast. A Singapore SERI-SCHMI trial found periocular acupuncture with artificial tears helped more people feel better than tears alone. TCM links eye moisture to the Liver and Yin fluids. Inflammation, meibomian or lacrimal dysfunction, and wider lid openings can drive dryness. Book when dryness persists or vision changes.
01 · What it is
What is dry eye syndrome?
Gritty, burning, or tired eyes often mean tears are too thin or evaporate too fast. Tears from the lacrimal gland keep the surface moist and guard against infection. Dryness is common with age, yet it can appear at any age when screen hours stack.
2. Eye fatigue
Eyes tire early during reading or screen work.
3. Watery eyes
Extra watering as a reflex to dryness and irritation.
4. Blurred vision
Vision that softens or fluctuates as the tear film breaks.
5. Light sensitivity
Bright light feels sharp or uncomfortable.
6. Eye redness
Redness on the white of the eye with dryness.
Ongoing dryness can irritate or scar the cornea. Permanent vision loss is uncommon, yet persistent symptoms deserve optometry or ophthalmology review alongside TCM pattern care.
02 · Causes
Why dry eyes occur
Lacrimal · Meibomian · Surface
Dryness often starts when the surface, lacrimal gland, or meibomian glands become inflamed or under-function. Treat any named eye disease first; TCM then supports the constitution pattern behind the tear film.
- Surface or gland inflammation: heat on the ocular surface, lacrimal gland, or conjunctiva that lowers tear quality or volume.
- Meibomian or lacrimal dysfunction: glands that fail to keep a stable film, so tears evaporate too fast or underproduce.
- Increased ocular surface: thyroid eye change or a protruding eye that exposes more of the surface to air.
- Aesthetic lid surgery: eyelids opened too widely, leaving more of the surface drying between blinks.
03 · Singapore
Why dry eyes flare in a Singapore day
AC · Screens · Haze · Diet Heat
Living in Singapore, long air-conditioned hours and late screens dry the tear film even when the weather is humid outdoors.
- AC vents and desk fans: air blown straight at the eyes thins the film faster than outdoor humidity suggests.
- Late screens: unbroken near work cuts blink rate; haze days add surface irritation on top.
- Heaty supper and iced drinks: late spicy or fried meals with cold drinks can stack Liver Heat that shows as burning, red, dry eyes the next day.
04 · Patterns
How TCM reads dry eyes
Liver · Yin fluids · Screen Heat
The Liver opens into the eyes. Dryness is not one picture. A physician names whether Yin fluids, Heat, or wider constitution sit behind the tear film before choosing needles, herbs, or kitchen support.
| Pattern | What you may notice | Care lean |
|---|---|---|
| Liver Yin not moisteningDry + tired | Dry, strained eyes after screens, often with dry throat, light sleep, or mild dizziness. | Moisten Yin; periocular acupuncture; gentler eye steeps |
| Liver Heat or wind-heat leanDry + irritated | Burning or red feel, temple tightness, heaty diet or late nights stacking irritation. | Clear Heat; cool chrysanthemum-style food therapy when constitution allows |
| Lung-Kidney Yin depletionChronic dry | Longer dryness with dry mouth, night sweat, or ageing-related fluid decline. | Nourish deeper Yin; herbs matched after pulse and tongue |
These leans guide education and first consult questions. They are not a self-diagnosis chart.
05 · Clinic care
TCM treatments for dry eye syndrome
Clinic methods aim to support ocular circulation, tear quality, and the constitution pattern behind dryness. Mix and frequency follow pulse and tongue, not a fixed pack for every screen worker.
| Method | What it may support | Where |
|---|---|---|
| AcupuncturePeriocular + distal | Selected points to support circulation toward the eyes and tear production. A SERI-SCHMI Singapore trial found acupuncture plus artificial tears helped more people report symptomatic improvement than tears alone, with signs of more favourable tear proteins and lower inflammatory markers. | Clinic |
| Chinese herbal medicineMatched formula | Herbs are often paired with acupuncture. Yin-moistening families suit dry, strained eyes with little Heat. Heat-clearing or Liver-soothing families suit burning irritation after heaty food or late nights. Prescriptions follow constitution; they are not a one-blend eye drop substitute. | Clinic |
See the Eye Care programme for how periocular acupuncture sits with wider screen-strain and under-eye care after consult.
06 · Lifestyle
Lifestyle modifications for dry eyes
Zang-fu that move essence and nutrients steadily help visual comfort. These habits support that work; they do not replace tears or a consult when dryness is severe.
1. Ease cold, spicy, and oily food
Heavy fried, very spicy, and excessively cold foods can stack Heat or weaken digestion that feeds the eyes.
2. Protect work-life balance
Long unbroken near work without rest is a common dry-eye driver. Build real breaks into screen days.
3. Regulate emotion load
A calmer emotional rhythm supports Liver Qi flow so essence and fluids can reach the orifices more steadily.
07 · What may help
What may help dry eyes
Match the steep to the feel: Dry Eye Alleviation Tea when screens leave the eyes dry and fatigued; Shi Hu and Yu Zhu when Yin dryness is the main picture; the four-herb pot when dryness and irritation sit together. An educational rhythm is three days in a week, twice a day. Pair with gentle periocular press when lids are calm and vision is stable.
Tea · 菊花 / 枸杞子
Dry Eye Alleviation Tea
Ju Hua and Gou Qi Zi when computers or study leave the eyes dry and tired.
Cooling. Ease off if you feel cold easily or digestion is weak.
Make the tea
Tea · 石斛 / 玉竹
Vision Brightening Tea
Shi Hu and Yu Zhu moisten Yin when screens leave a dry feel without much Heat.
Moistening and cool. Pause if stools loosen.
Make the tea
Tea · 菊花 / 麦冬 / 木蝴蝶
Chrysanthemum, Mai Dong, and Mu Hu Die
Four-herb steep when dryness and irritation travel together.
If there's any chance of pregnancy, don't use this.
Make the tea
Acupressure
Six periocular points for dry eyes
Yu Yao · Tai Yang · Cheng Qi · Si Zhu Kong · Cuan Zhu · Si Bai
Press and rub these labeled points in a circular motion for about five minutes once daily. A dull ache is common. Soft pressure only; never press into the eyeball.
Caution
Skip over cuts, rashes, or active styes. Stop if pain sharpens or vision changes. This is not care for sudden vision loss or injury.
08 · Prevention
Additional tips to prevent dry eye syndrome
Small environment and diet shifts reduce how often the tear film breaks during a Singapore screen day.
1. Redirect fans and vents
Avoid air blown straight toward the eyes from fans or air-conditioning vents.
2. Take a 5-minute break every 45 minutes
Step away from prolonged visual tasks. Blink fully and rest the near focus.
3. Ease dusty or dry air
Keep indoor air from running too dry when you can, and limit dusty rooms during flares.
Foods
Foods that support eye comfort
Steady lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins A, C, and E support general eye comfort. They are not a dry-eye prescription or a tear replacement.
| Nutrient | Everyday examples |
|---|---|
| Lutein and zeaxanthinGreens + yolk | Kai lan, spinach, broccoli, green peas, egg yolk |
| Vitamin AOrange veg | Carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin, tomato, papaya |
| Vitamins C and EFruit + nuts | Guava, kiwi, citrus, yellow or red bell pepper, almonds, sunflower seeds, avocado |
When to book for dry eyes
Seek urgent Western eye care for sudden vision change, severe pain, injury, or infection that is spreading. If dryness persists despite breaks and tears, keeps returning, or sits with fatigue or digestion change, a physician can name the pattern and decide whether acupuncture, herbs, or food shifts belong in your plan.
Clinically reviewed
Reviewed by Sim Beng Joo
Advisor (Science & Strategy) / Consultant Physician · TCMPB T1303003A
MOH-licensed TCM physician and biomedical scientist, with clinical work in digestion, pain, sleep or fatigue, and constitution patterns that show as Heat or dryness on the face and eyes.
View full profileEducational information based on clinical experience and TCM principles. Not a substitute for personalised consultation, optometry, ophthalmology, or urgent care. Speak with your physician before starting herbs or new self-care in pregnancy or with a chronic condition. Seek urgent care for sudden vision change, severe eye pain, injury, or infection that is spreading. TCM complements artificial tears and Western eye care; it does not replace them.
FAQs
Dry eye questions
Common questions before you change tea habits, press periocular points, or book a first visit.
What is dry eye syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome occurs when tear production falls, or when tears are not the right consistency and evaporate too quickly. Tears from the lacrimal gland moisturise the surface, wash debris, and help guard against infection. Common signs include irritation, fatigue, reflex watering, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and redness.
Why do dry eyes occur?
Common drivers include inflammation of the ocular surface or glands, meibomian or lacrimal dysfunction, a larger exposed surface such as thyroid eye change, and eyelids opened too widely after aesthetic surgery. Treat any named eye disease first; TCM then supports the constitution pattern behind the tear film.
Why do dry eyes sometimes water more?
Watery eyes can be the body’s reflex response to surface irritation from dryness. Extra tears do not always mean the tear film is healthy or stable. Pattern care still targets production quality and evaporation, not only volume.
Which TCM pattern sits behind dry eyes?
Common educational leans include Liver Yin not moistening the eyes, Liver Heat with burning irritation, and deeper Lung-Kidney Yin depletion in longer cases. A physician names your pattern from pulse, tongue, and history. These leans are educational, not a self-diagnosis chart.
Can acupuncture help dry eyes compared with artificial tears?
A randomised SERI-SCHMI Singapore trial found acupuncture plus artificial tears helped more people report symptomatic improvement than tears alone (about 16 percentage points more responders), with signs of lower ocular inflammation markers. Results vary by person. Acupuncture is adjunctive care, not a stand-alone cure.
How often should I drink the dry-eye herbal teas?
Choose one recipe that suits you. An educational rhythm from this page is three days in a week, twice a day. Cooling teas are not for every constitution. Pause if digestion cools, and ask a physician in pregnancy.
How do I press periocular points for dry eyes?
Press and rub the labeled periocular points in a circular motion for about five minutes once daily. A dull ache is common; sharp pain or vision change means stop. Never press into the eyeball.
What foods support dry-eye comfort?
Everyday support includes lutein and zeaxanthin from kai lan, spinach, and egg yolk, vitamin A from carrot and pumpkin, and vitamins C and E from guava, kiwi, citrus, nuts, and avocado. Food supports comfort; it does not replace tears or clinic care.
When should I see a TCM physician or eye doctor for dry eyes?
Book when dryness persists despite breaks and home care, keeps returning, or sits with wider fatigue, digestion, or sleep change. Seek urgent Western eye care for sudden vision change, severe pain, injury, or infection that is spreading. TCM complements optometry and ophthalmology.
References
Selected sources
- Tong L, Htoon HM, Hou A, et al. Acupuncture and herbal formulation compared with artificial tears alone: evaluation of dry eye symptoms and associated tests in randomised clinical trial. BMJ Open Ophthalmology. 2018;3:e000150. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjophth-2018-000150
- Kim T-H, Kang JW, Kim KH, et al. Acupuncture for the treatment of dry eye: a multicenter randomised controlled trial with active comparison intervention (artificial teardrops). PLoS ONE. 2012;7(5):e36638. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0036638
- Wang Y, Peng J, Xiao L, et al. Effectiveness of acupuncture combined with artificial tears in managing dry eye syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2023;102(52):e36374. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000036374
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Traditional Chinese medicine: What you need to know. 2019. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-what-you-need-to-know/
- Ministry of Health Singapore. TCM practitioners (Healthcare Professional Portal). https://hpp.moh.gov.sg/tcm-practitioners/
- World Health Organization. Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. https://www.who.int/health-topics/traditional-complementary-and-integrative-medicine
- Original article author: Physician Victoria Tan.
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Book a consult for dry eyes
Bring how long dryness has lasted, screen hours, tear use, gland or lid notes from optometry, and any thyroid or surgery history. We will name the pattern and decide whether acupuncture, herbs, or food shifts belong in your plan. The Eye Care programme is for ongoing dry-eye comfort and screen strain.