Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) most commonly occurs in people over 50. It is characterized by pigment loss or proliferation in the macular region, drusen, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the macular region, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachment, and recurrent macular hemorrhage, which may lead to reduced or lost vision. This condition is also known as senile macular degeneration and falls within the categories of “dim and blurred vision,” “straight lines appearing curved,” and “sudden blindness” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred vision or distorted vision, dark shadows in the visual field, and shallow exudative detachment in the posterior fundus, or recurrent macular hemorrhage. May be accompanied by dizziness, fatigue, mental and physical exhaustion, easily fatigued eyes, poor appetite, loose stools, a pale tongue with a white coating, and a weak pulse.
In plain language:
- Vision is blurred, or objects appear distorted.
- A shadow appears in front of the eyes and obstructs vision.
- There is mild exudative separation of the retina at the back of the eye, or recurrent bleeding in the central area of the fundus.
- Dizziness or a heavy-headed feeling, accompanied by fatigue.
- Mental and physical exhaustion and lack of energy.
- The eyes tire easily.
- Poor appetite and loose stools.
- The tongue appears pale, with a white coating.
- The pulse is weak.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Strengthen the Spleen and boost Qi; nourish the Liver and eyes.
In plain language:
- Support digestion and absorption and replenish strength and energy, helping reduce fatigue and shortness of breath.
- Provide nourishment and support the Liver, helping the eyes feel more comfortable and clear.
- As appetite and energy improve, the eyes may tolerate visual activity better and vision may feel more stable.
|Related Formulas
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 doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred vision or a fixed dark shadow in the visual field, and dry eyes. The macular region of the fundus may show localized retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, or lesions in the pre-exudative or scar stage. May be accompanied by dry eyes, dizziness and tinnitus, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, insomnia, and vivid dreams; a red tongue with little coating and a thin pulse.
In plain language:
- Vision is blurred, making details difficult to distinguish.
- A fixed, stationary shadow obstructs the visual field.
- The eyes feel dry, gritty, or uncomfortable, sometimes with itching or irritation.
- The pigment layer in the macula at the center of the back of the eye has atrophied, with localized thinning and weakening of the tissue.
- Early exudative changes may appear in the macula, or scar-like lesions may already have formed.
- The eyes feel repeatedly dry and uncomfortable, especially after prolonged visual activity.
- Dizziness or a heavy-headed feeling, with persistent ringing in the ears.
- Soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, with fatigue more likely after prolonged activity.
- Difficulty falling asleep, vivid dreams, and restless sleep.
- The tongue is redder than usual.
- The tongue coating is very thin or nearly absent.
- The pulse is thin and feels fine under pressure.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the Liver and Kidneys; support the Liver and improve vision.
In plain language:
- Nourish the Liver and Kidneys and replenish their essence, blood, and energy reserves, helping ease soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, and fatigue.
- Support the bones and physical endurance, and reduce night sweats, sensitivity to cold, and declining strength.
- Support Liver nourishment and moisten the eyes, helping ease dryness, soreness, and blurred vision so that vision may feel clearer and more stable.
|Related Formulas
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 doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Distorted and dim vision, pigment irregularities in the macular region, drusen formation, loss of the foveal reflex, or macular hemorrhage, exudation, and edema. Systemic symptoms may include fullness and discomfort in the chest, dizziness, palpitations, and limb weakness; a white, greasy or yellow, greasy tongue coating; and a deep-slippery or wiry-slippery pulse.
In plain language:
- Objects appear distorted, and straight lines may look curved.
- Vision appears noticeably dimmer, with reduced brightness and unclear details.
- Pigment in the macula is unevenly distributed, with areas of varying shade.
- Small yellow-white deposits may be visible in the central fundus.
- The light reflex at the center of the macula disappears.
- Bleeding, exudation, and swelling with fluid accumulation may occur in the macula.
- The chest feels stuffy or uncomfortable, with a sensation of pressure or blockage.
- Dizziness or blurred vision, accompanied by palpitations and a feeling of unease.
- The limbs feel weak and tire easily, with greater weakness after activity.
- The tongue coating is white and greasy, or yellow and greasy.
- The pulse is deep and slippery, or taut and slippery.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Transform phlegm and dispel dampness; boost Qi and strengthen the Spleen.
In plain language:
- Disperse phlegm and eliminate dampness, helping ease cough with abundant phlegm, chest tightness, a heavy sensation, and heaviness of the head and body.
- Support digestion, absorption, and energy, helping address poor appetite, abdominal bloating, loose stools, fatigue, and weakness.
|Related Formulas
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 doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Often seen in neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration. Sudden blurred or distorted vision in one eye; macular hemorrhage, exudation, and edema. Accompanied by dry mouth and thirst, episodes of heat with facial flushing, heat in the palms, soles, and chest, night sweats, vivid dreams, and soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees. A red tongue with little coating and a rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- Often associated with an age-related eye condition involving abnormal new blood vessels in the macula.
- Vision in one eye may suddenly become unclear, or objects may appear distorted.
- Bleeding and exudation occur in the central fundus, accompanied by swelling and fluid accumulation.
- The mouth feels dry, with a persistent desire to drink water.
- Episodes of heat rise through the body, with noticeable facial redness and warmth.
- The palms, soles, and chest feel hot, with restlessness.
- There may be night sweats and vivid dreams, with restless sleep.
- The lower back feels sore and heavy, and the knees feel weak or unsteady.
- The tongue is reddish, with very little or no visible coating.
- The pulse is noticeably fast, at approximately 90–130 beats per minute at rest.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish Yin and reduce internal heat; cool the Blood and stop bleeding.
In plain language:
- Nourish body fluids and provide internal nourishment, while reducing internal heat, to help ease dry mouth and throat and feelings of irritability and heat.
- Cool the Blood and help stop bleeding, easing bleeding tendencies and sensations of redness and burning heat.
|Related Formulas
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 doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Jin Ming. Annotations to the Guidelines for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Ophthalmic Diseases [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2015: 107–108.
- Zou Haidong, Zhang Zhe, Xu Xun, et al. Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in Caojiadu Subdistrict, Jing’an District, Shanghai [J]. Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology, 2005, 41(1): 15–19.
- Fundus Disease Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association; Committee for Developing the Chinese Clinical Guidelines and Clinical Pathway for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Clinical diagnosis and treatment pathway for age-related macular degeneration in China [J]. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases, 2013, 29(4): 343–355.
- Liu Jiali. Pattern differentiation of age-related macular degeneration [J]. Journal of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 2013, 29(5): 852–853.
- Ouyang Yun. Examples of the ophthalmic application of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction [J]. Henan Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2014, 34(3): 542–543.
- Ke Xizhen. Summary of the clinical application of Hexue Mingmu Tablets [J]. Drug Research, 2009, 3(18): 211.
- Jin Ming, Zhang Youhua, Liu Haidan. Clinical observation of Hexue Mingmu Tablets for macular hemorrhage [J]. Chinese Journal of Chinese Ophthalmology, 2010, 20(2): 95–96.
- Xu Man. Clinical observation of Hexue Mingmu Tablets for macular hemorrhage [J]. China Practical Medicine, 2015, 10(20): 221–222.
- Xing Lanying. Hexue Mingmu Tablets in the treatment of 106 patients with various types of fundus hemorrhage [J]. China Pharmaceuticals, 2008, 17(11): 57.
- Jin Ming. Series on the Rational Clinical Use of Chinese Patent Medicines for Common Diseases: Ophthalmology [M]. Beijing: Huaxia Publishing House, 2015: 120–158.