The Etiology, Pathogenesis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Dry Eye

This article aims to discuss the historical evolution of dry eye, explore the etiology and pathogenesis, and summarize the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of dry eye. The causes of dry eye are no more than two aspects: external infection and internal injury. External pathogenic factors include wind, dryness, dampness, heat and fire pathogenic factors. Internal injuries and illnesses are caused by three aspects: improper diet, overwork or excessive comfort, and emotional imbalance. The pathogenesis of dry eye is based on insufficiency of Yin essence. The normal production and distribution of tears are closely related to the normal physiological state of the five internal organs. The traditional Chinese medicine treatments for dry eye include internal administration of Chinese herbal medicine, Chinese herbal fumigation therapy, Chinese herbal nebulization therapy, and acupuncture therapy.