Primary Retinitis Pigmentosa

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 obstruction,” “high-wind sparrow-blindness internal obstruction,” “high-wind visual obstruction,” and “yin-wind visual obstruction.”

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Night blindness, blurred vision, and constricted visual fields; pale complexion, fatigue and lack of strength, aversion to cold with cold extremities, tinnitus or hearing loss, impotence or premature ejaculation, frequent urination at night, and in women irregular menstruation with scant, pale-colored flow; pale tongue, thin coating, and a fine, weak pulse.

In plain language:

  • Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light.
  • Blurred vision.
  • A narrowed field of vision, with a smaller area visible.
  • A pale complexion.
  • Fatigue and lack of energy.
  • Feeling cold, with cold hands and feet.
  • Ringing in the ears and reduced hearing.
  • Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, or premature ejaculation.
  • More frequent urination at night.
  • In women, irregular periods with scant, pale-colored flow.
  • A pale-colored tongue.
  • A thin tongue coating.
  • A fine, weak pulse.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Warm and tonify Kidney Yang; invigorate blood and brighten the eyes.

In plain language:

  • In TCM terms, support Yang energy in the body to address feeling cold, cold extremities, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, and low energy.
  • Promote blood circulation and address stasis, with the aim of easing stabbing pain, numbness, and a dull complexion.
  • Support nourishment and function of the eyes, with the aim of easing dryness, soreness, distension, and blurred vision.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference 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.

You Gui Wan
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Night blindness, blurred vision, reduced visual field, and dry eyes; dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia with vivid dreams, dry mouth, and soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; red tongue with little coating and a fine, rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light.
  • Blurred vision.
  • A narrowed field of vision, with a smaller area visible.
  • Dry, uncomfortable eyes.
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness accompanied by ringing in the ears.
  • Difficulty falling asleep, vivid dreams, or restless sleep.
  • Soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees.
  • A reddish tongue with very little coating, and a fine, somewhat rapid pulse.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Nourish the Liver and Kidneys; invigorate blood and brighten the eyes.

In plain language:

  • In TCM terms, nourish Liver-Kidney essence, blood, and energy to address soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, and fatigue.
  • Promote blood flow and address stasis, with the aim of easing stabbing or distending pain and a dull complexion.
  • Support nourishment and clarity of the eyes, with the aim of easing dryness, soreness, distension, and blurred vision. * In TCM terms, nourish Liver-Kidney essence, blood, and energy to address soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, and fatigue.
  • Promote blood flow and address stasis, with the aim of easing stabbing or distending pain and a dull complexion.
  • Support nourishment and clarity of the eyes, with the aim of easing dryness, soreness, distension, and blurred vision.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference 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:

Night blindness, blurred vision, eye strain, difficulty looking for extended periods, and constricted visual fields; a dull complexion, weakness in the limbs, poor appetite, and possibly loose stools or diarrhea; pale tongue with teeth marks along the edges, thin white coating, and a fine, weak pulse.

In plain language:

  • Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light.
  • Blurred vision and difficulty making out details.
  • Eyes become tired easily, making it difficult to keep looking.
  • Difficulty looking at things for a long time; sustained visual activity may cause discomfort.
  • A narrowed field of vision, with a markedly smaller area visible.
  • A pale, dull complexion.
  • Weakness in the limbs and reduced stamina during activity.
  • Poor appetite.
  • Loose stools or diarrhea.
  • A pale-colored tongue.
  • Teeth marks along the edges of the tongue.
  • A thin, white tongue coating.
  • A fine, weak pulse.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Tonify the Spleen and replenish Qi; invigorate blood and brighten the eyes.

In plain language:

  • In TCM terms, support the Spleen’s digestive function and energy supply to address poor appetite, fatigue, and abdominal bloating or discomfort.
  • Promote blood circulation and address stasis, with the aim of easing stabbing or distending pain and a dull complexion.
  • Support nourishment and clarity of the eyes, with the aim of easing dryness, soreness, distension, and blurred vision.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference 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.

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Gui Pi Tang

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Night blindness, constricted visual fields, and blurred vision; in long-standing cases, a waxy yellow optic disc, attenuated retinal vessels, and sclerosis of the choroidal vessels; dusky tongue, thin white coating, and a fine pulse.

In plain language:

  • Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light.
  • A narrowed field of vision, with a smaller area visible.
  • Blurred vision.
  • A long-standing condition that persists over time.
  • The optic disc at the back of the eye appears pale yellow and waxy.
  • The retinal blood vessels at the back of the eye become thin.
  • The deeper blood vessels in the eye become stiff and less elastic.
  • A dusky-colored tongue.
  • A thin, white tongue coating.
  • A fine, weak pulse that is difficult to feel clearly.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Tonify Qi and nourish blood; resolve stasis and brighten the eyes.

In plain language:

  • In TCM terms, support energy and blood nourishment to address shortness of breath, fatigue, pale complexion, dizziness, and palpitations.
  • Address stasis and promote blood flow to support nourishment and clarity of the eyes, with the aim of easing dryness, soreness, distension, and blurred vision.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational reference 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.

Shi Quan Da Bu Tang

References

  1. Jin Ming. Explanatory Notes on TCM Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines: Ophthalmic Diseases [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2015: 107–108.
  2. Tang Youzhi, Xiao Guoshi. Comprehensive Textbook of TCM Ophthalmology [M]. 2nd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2011: 818–820.
  3. Li Fengming. Chinese Ophthalmology [M]. 3rd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2014: 2122–2129.
  4. Ge Jian. Ophthalmology [M]. 2nd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2010: 321–322.
  5. Wang Mingyang, Wang Guanglu. Optical coherence tomography of retinitis pigmentosa [J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Ophthalmology, 2005(9): 938–940.
  6. Liu Lili, Guo Ranyang, Fu Wenli, et al. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography features of primary retinitis pigmentosa [J]. Recent Advances in Ophthalmology, 2012(3): 279–282.
  7. Liu Jiaqi, Li Fengming. Practical Ophthalmology [M]. 3rd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2010: 451–453.
  8. Chinese Medical Association, ed. Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines: Ophthalmology [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2006: 173.
  9. Xia Xiaoping, Tian Donghua, Song Guoxiang, et al. Clinical study of Chinese and Western medicines for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa [J]. Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology in Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009(1): 28–31.
  10. Tan Simin, Ke Yi, Li Zonghan. Clinical experience in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa [J]. Journal of Qiqihar Medical University, 2013(5): 690–691.
  11. Zhu Weixing, Zhang Jian, Yang Chunlin, et al. Microvascular transplantation combined with TCM treatment for retinitis pigmentosa [J]. Modern Journal of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, 2014(27): 2965–2967.
  12. Jin Ming. Clinical Rational Use of Chinese Patent Medicines for Common Diseases: Ophthalmology [M]. Beijing: Huaxia Publishing House, 2015: 120–158.