Dry eye is a disease characterized by tear film instability and/or ocular surface damage caused by abnormalities in the quantity or quality of tears or in tear fluid dynamics, resulting in ocular discomfort and visual dysfunction. Following discussions by the U.S. National Eye Institute Dry Eye Study Group in 1995, “dry eye” and “keratoconjunctivitis sicca”…
Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is a corneal disease caused by infection with herpes simplex virus type 1. The cornea may show dendritic, geographic, or disciform lesions. The virus can establish latent infection, and the disease may be prolonged and difficult to resolve. In severe cases, the iris may be affected, causing iritis and, in some…
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is characterized by marked conjunctival congestion and edema, numerous conjunctival follicles, and sometimes pseudomembrane formation and subconjunctival petechial hemorrhages, along with punctate infiltrates in the corneal epithelium. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “acute epidemic red eye with corneal opacity” (Tianxing Chiyan Baoyi) and “acute red eye…
Acute bacterial conjunctivitis (acute conjunctivitis) is an acute, contagious inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by bacterial infection and characterized by marked conjunctival redness and purulent or mucopurulent discharge. It is also called acute catarrhal conjunctivitis and is commonly known as “pink eye.” The incubation period is short, onset is rapid, and the condition is highly…
Primary retinitis pigmentosa (PRP) is characterized by night blindness, constricted visual fields, and reduced visual acuity. Genetically, it is classified into four types: autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked recessive, and sporadic (with no family history). In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls under the category of “high-wind sparrow blindness,” also known as “high-wind internal…
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a condition characterized by macular edema and exudation, reduced vision, grayish-yellow shadows obstructing vision, or visual distortion. The condition may resolve on its own but is prone to recurrence. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it falls within categories such as “colored vision,” “straight lines appearing curved,” and “dim or blurred…
Diabetes with dyslipidemia refers primarily to a state in which hyperglycemia occurs alongside elevated plasma triglycerides (TG) and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), or elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or insulin resistance. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), diabetes with dyslipidemia falls within the categories of “phlegm pattern” and “blood stasis pattern,” among others. TCM Pattern…
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…
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction caused by diabetes is known as diabetic erectile dysfunction (DED). DED is a common complication in people with diabetes. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it falls within the categories of “impotence,” “flaccidity of the yin,” “sinew…
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…
Diabetic foot (DF) refers to foot infection, ulceration, and/or deep tissue destruction in people with diabetes, associated with local neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease of the lower limbs. It results from diabetic neuropathy and vascular disease in the lower limbs. The condition can affect tissues from the skin to the bones and joints; in severe…
Diabetic gastroenteropathy is a common chronic digestive complication of diabetes caused by dysfunction of the visceral autonomic nervous system. It can affect any part of the digestive tract from the esophagus to the rectum, and includes esophageal syndromes, diabetic gastroparesis, diarrhea or fecal incontinence associated with diabetes, and diabetic constipation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),…
Diabetic gastroenteropathy is a common chronic digestive complication of diabetes. It is associated with autonomic dysfunction affecting the viscera and can involve any part of the digestive tract, from the esophagus to the rectum. Conditions include esophageal syndromes, diabetic gastroparesis, diarrhea or fecal incontinence associated with diabetes, and diabetic constipation. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),…
Diabetic gastrointestinal disease is a common chronic digestive complication of diabetes. It results from diabetes-related dysfunction of the visceral autonomic nervous system and can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the esophagus to the rectum. Conditions include esophageal syndromes, diabetic gastroparesis, diabetes-associated diarrhea or fecal incontinence, and diabetic constipation. In TCM, diabetic gastrointestinal…
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) refers to symptoms and/or signs associated with peripheral nerve dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), after other causes have been excluded. Diabetic sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy (DSPN), for example, is a representative form of diabetic neuropathy. Asymptomatic diabetic neuropathy can be diagnosed only through screening for signs or neurophysiological testing. Diabetic…
