Retinal Periphlebitis (Eales Disease)
Retinal periphlebitis (Eales disease) occurs primarily in young people. It is characterized by recurrent vision loss, retinal hemorrhage, and changes in the retinal veins; it is also known as recurrent vitreous hemorrhage in young adults. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “clouds and mist moving before the eyes” (Yunwu Yijing), “dim and blurred vision” (Shizhan Hunmiao), and “sudden blindness” (Baomang).
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
A sudden drop in vision, or cloud-like floaters before the eyes; vitreous hemorrhage; restlessness and insomnia, mouth or tongue ulcers, scant dark urine; a red tongue and rapid pulse.
In Plain Language:
- Vision suddenly becomes much worse, and things look very blurry.
- Cloud-like shapes seem to move in front of the eyes, as if a layer of mist is obscuring vision.
- Bleeding occurs in the transparent, gel-like substance inside the eye, making the fundus appear blood-stained.
- Feeling restless or agitated, with difficulty falling asleep at night.
- Ulcers develop in the mouth or on the tongue, making eating or speaking painful.
- Urine is scant and reddish or dark in color.
- The tongue appears red, bright, and vivid in color.
- The pulse is noticeably fast, at approximately 90 to 130 beats per minute at rest.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Clear the Heart and purge fire; cool the Blood and stop bleeding.
In Plain Language:
- Reduce excessive internal heat associated with the Heart, helping ease irritability, heat in the mouth and tongue, and insomnia or restless dreams.
- Cool the Blood and help stop bleeding, potentially easing nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and red skin patches.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
A prolonged course, with recurrent vitreous hemorrhage; dizziness and tinnitus, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, tidal fever and flushed cheeks, heat in the palms, soles, and chest, dry mouth and lips; a red tongue, thin yellow coating, and fine, rapid pulse.
In Plain Language:
- The condition has lasted a long time and repeatedly fails to improve.
- Repeated bleeding occurs in the transparent, gel-like substance inside the eye, with blood-like shadows obscuring vision.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness accompanied by persistent ringing in the ears.
- Soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, with increased fatigue after activity.
- Episodes of heat rising, with redness and warmth over the cheeks.
- Heat and restlessness in the palms, soles, and chest, making it difficult to feel calm.
- Marked dry mouth and dry, chapped lips.
- The tongue appears red.
- The tongue coating is thin and slightly yellow.
- The pulse is fine and relatively fast, at approximately 90 to 130 beats per minute at rest.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Nourish Yin and reduce fire; cool the Blood and resolve stasis.
In Plain Language:
- Nourish fluids and the body’s internal resources, and reduce internal heat, helping ease dry mouth and throat, irritability, and a tendency to feel overheated.
- Cool the Blood and help resolve stasis, potentially easing purplish bruising under the skin, stabbing or distending pain, and bruises left after bleeding.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
A sharp decline in vision, retinal hemorrhage with a dark purple appearance; eye fullness and headache, distending pain in the chest and flanks, low mood, reduced appetite and belching, or irritability and insomnia; a red tongue with dark stasis spots, thin white coating, and a wiry or choppy pulse.
In Plain Language:
- Vision suddenly drops significantly, and things become much blurrier.
- Areas of bleeding appear in the fundus and look dark purple.
- The eyes feel swollen or full, with discomfort from a headache.
- Distending pain in the chest and along the ribs, which may feel worse with breathing or movement.
- Feeling low or emotionally suppressed, with little motivation.
- Poor appetite, often with a sensation of gas rising in the stomach and belching.
- Alternatively, becoming easily irritable or angry, with difficulty sleeping at night.
- The tongue appears red, with dark spots or patches of stasis.
- The tongue coating is thin and white.
- The pulse feels tense and straight under the fingers, like a taut string.
- Alternatively, the pulse may feel uneven and rough, with a hesitating quality.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Soothe the Liver and relieve constraint; resolve stasis and stop bleeding.
In Plain Language:
- Ease constrained Qi, helping relieve distending pain in the chest and flanks, low mood, and frequent sighing.
- Help disperse blood stasis, potentially easing stabbing or distending pain and bruising under the skin.
- Help control bleeding and support recovery, potentially reducing the tendency to bleed repeatedly.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
Dim, hazy vision and a prolonged course; proliferative membranes in the vitreous cavity, with proliferative retinal hemorrhagic lesions and neovascularization; aversion to cold and cold extremities, dizziness, a pale complexion, shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, generalized fatigue, loose stools; a dusky, pale tongue, thin white coating, and deep, fine pulse.
In Plain Language:
- Things look dim and hazy and remain unclear.
- The condition has lasted a long time and is difficult to resolve.
- Membrane-like tissue has developed in the transparent, gel-like substance inside the eye.
- The retinal fundus has proliferative hemorrhagic changes and newly formed small blood vessels.
- Feeling cold, with cold hands and feet.
- Dizziness and blurred vision.
- A pale complexion with little color.
- Shortness of breath and reluctance to talk much.
- Generalized weakness and low energy.
- Loose, poorly formed stools.
- The tongue appears dusky and pale.
- The tongue coating is thin and white.
- The pulse is relatively fine and can be felt clearly only with deeper pressure.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Spleen; transform phlegm and soften hardness.
In Plain Language:
- Support the functions of the Kidneys and Spleen to help maintain energy and digestion, with the aim of improving stamina and appetite.
- Transform thick, turbid phlegm and help it be expelled, potentially easing chest fullness, excess phlegm, and a heavy, sticky sensation.
- Soften and gradually disperse nodules or hard masses, potentially easing localized distending pain and tenderness.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
References
- Jin Ming. Annotations to the TCM Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines: Ophthalmology [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2015: 117–119.
- Li Fengming. Chinese Ophthalmology [M]. 2nd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2005: 2087.
- Gong Yan, Wei Shihui. Current status of the pathogenesis and treatment of retinal periphlebitis [J]. International Eye Science, 2008, 8(2): 369–371.
- Shi Zhenggang, Yu Xia, Zhang Shiqing. Effects of Zhibai Dihuang Wan on immune function in juvenile rats with kidney Yin deficiency induced by adrenocortical hormones [J]. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae, 2006, 12(1): 62–64.
- Li Qun. Progress in modern research on Fuzi Lizhong Wan (decoction) [J]. Qilu Pharmaceutical Affairs, 2012, 31(1): 40–42.
- Yang Peixue, Lu Lihong, Li Guoxing, et al. Observation of the efficacy of Huanglian Yanggan Wan in treating viral keratitis [J]. Chinese Journal of Coal Industry Medicine, 2006(1): 55–56.
- Zhao Hejun. Observation of the efficacy of Mingmu Dihuang Wan combined with Shengmai San in treating dry eye due to Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency [J]. New Chinese Medicine, 2013(7): 104–106.
- Song Ru. Efficacy of Mingmu Dihuang Wan for diabetic retinopathy [J]. Clinical Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2013(11): 36–37.
- Ma Hongjie, Yang Zhimin. Experience in treating eye diseases with Shihu Yeguang Wan [J]. Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2014(3): 227–228.
- Zhang Chunyu, Liu Ziqi, Hu Baorong. Danhong Huayu Oral Liquid for fundus hemorrhage: 86 cases [J]. Chinese Journal of Traditional Medical Science and Technology, 2011(6): 509.
- Shi Yunfeng, Yan Qinghui, Bao Yanli, et al. Evaluation of lecithin-bound iodine and Fufang Xueshuantong Capsules for the treatment of vitreous opacities [J]. International Eye Science, 2010(5): 975–976.
- Xue Shuhong, Wang Yan, Yu Yanggui, et al. Experimental study of iontophoresis of Danshen injection for the treatment of vitreous hemorrhage [J]. Ophthalmic Research, 2008, 26(11): 845–847.
- Zhao Kanxing, Yang Peizeng. Ophthalmology [M]. 8th ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2013: 216.