Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic, progressive eye disease that causes visual impairment and is characterized by damage to the retinal microvasculature due to long-term hyperglycemia and other diabetes mellitus (DM)-related abnormalities, such as hypertension and dyslipidemia. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to macular edema and, in severe cases, preretinal and vitreous hemorrhage or even retinal detachment. It is one of the common and serious microvascular complications of diabetes. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), diabetic retinopathy falls within the categories of “dim vision,” “cloudiness obscuring vision,” “sudden blindness,” and “blood filling the pupil,” among others.
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Vision may be normal or reduced; the disease is at clinical grades 1–3. Yin deficiency with internal heat may also be present, with a red tongue, a thin yellow coating, and a fine, rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- Vision may remain normal or become reduced to varying degrees.
- The disease is at clinical grades one to three.
- Signs of insufficient body fluids and internal heat may occur.
- The tongue may appear reddish.
- The tongue coating may be thin and slightly yellow.
- The pulse may be fine and rapid, at approximately 90 to 130 beats per minute at rest.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish yin and generate fluids; cool the blood and moisten dryness.
In plain language:
- Support fluids and internal nourishment to help ease dry mouth and throat, irritability, feeling overheated, and night sweats.
- Cool the blood and reduce heat to help ease facial flushing, restlessness from feeling hot, nosebleeds, and red, warm skin.
- Moisten the skin and mucous membranes to help relieve cracking and flaking, as well as hard, dry stools.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred vision, dry eyes, distorted vision, or moving dark spots in the field of vision; retinopathy is generally at grades 1–4. Qi and yin deficiency with collateral stasis may also be present, with a swollen, tender tongue that is dark purple or has stasis spots, and a deep, fine, weak pulse.
In plain language:
- Vision is blurred.
- The eyes may feel dry, vision may appear distorted, or dark spots may float in front of the eyes.
- Retinal changes are generally at grades one to four.
- There may also be low energy, reduced body fluids, and impaired circulation through the small vessels.
- The tongue may be enlarged and soft, with a dark color or dark spots.
- The pulse may be difficult to feel unless pressed deeply, and may be fine and weak.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify qi and nourish yin; invigorate blood and unblock the collaterals.
In plain language:
- Support energy and fluid supply to help ease shortness of breath, fatigue, dry mouth, and irritability.
- Provide internal nourishment to help ease dryness, night sweats, and a dry throat.
- Promote blood circulation and the flow of the channels and collaterals to help ease numbness, pain, and pulling discomfort.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred vision and dry eyes; retinopathy is generally at grades 1–3. Liver and kidney deficiency may also be present, with a dark-red tongue with little coating and a fine, choppy pulse.
In plain language:
- Vision is blurred.
- The eyes may feel dry, sometimes with a foreign-body sensation.
- Retinal changes are generally within grades one to three.
- There may be signs of insufficient internal nourishment and reduced vitality.
- The tongue may be dark red, with very little coating.
- The pulse may be fine and weak, with an uneven or sluggish quality.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish and tonify the liver and kidneys; moisten dryness and unblock the collaterals.
In plain language:
- Support liver and kidney essence, blood, and vitality to help ease soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, and fatigue.
- Support fluids and moisture to help relieve dry mouth and throat and cracked, dry skin.
- Promote the flow of the channels and collaterals to help ease numbness, pain, and pulling discomfort, and support greater ease of movement.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred or distorted vision, or the sensation of dark spots drifting before the eyes; retinopathy is generally at grades 2–4, with prominent retinal edema, cotton-wool spots, and hemorrhages. Spleen deficiency with dampness obstruction may also be present, with a pale tongue and a weak pulse.
In plain language:
- Vision may be blurred or distorted, with dark spots seeming to float in front of the eyes.
- Retinal changes are generally at grades two to four, with more noticeable swelling, cotton-like white spots, and bleeding.
- Low energy and fluid retention may occur, with tiredness, a heavy feeling in the body, and low motivation.
- The tongue may appear pale, with little color.
- The pulse may be weak and lacking in strength when felt.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Strengthen the spleen and supplement qi; promote urination and reduce stagnation.
In plain language:
- Support the spleen’s digestive and transport functions and replenish energy to help ease poor appetite, fatigue, and abdominal bloating.
- Promote fluid metabolism and urination to help relieve swelling, fullness, and a sense of internal stagnation.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blurred vision, dry eyes, or severe visual impairment; retinopathy is generally at grades 4–5. Yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm accumulation may also be present, with a pale, swollen tongue with little moisture or stasis spots, or dark-purple lips and tongue, and a deep, fine, weak pulse.
In plain language:
- Vision is blurred.
- The eyes may feel dry, or there may be severe visual impairment.
- Retinal changes are generally within grades four to five.
- There may also be an overall lack of vitality and nourishment, impaired blood flow, and phlegm accumulation.
- The tongue may be pale and enlarged, with little moisture and possibly dark stasis spots; alternatively, the lips and tongue may appear dark purple.
- The pulse may be difficult to feel unless pressed deeply, and may be fine and weak.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish yin and supplement yang; transform phlegm and dispel stasis.
In plain language:
- Support fluids and internal vitality to help balance warmth, cold, and energy, and ease dry mouth, irritability, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue.
- Transform thick phlegm and help clear it to ease chest tightness, phlegm with coughing, and a heavy, sticky sensation.
- Promote blood flow and help resolve stasis to ease stabbing or distending pain and purplish bruising under the skin, and support circulation.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
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