Syndrome differentiation and treatment
Clinically, the disease is mainly classified into the syndromes of hyperactivity of liver fire, stagnation of qi and blood, fire hyperactivity due to yin deficiency and asthenia of both qi and blood. The treatment, therefore, should include the respective methods of removing liver heat, soothing stagnated liver, nourishing yin and the therapy for invigoration and restoration.
1. Syndrome of Hyperactivity of Liver Fire
Main Symptoms and Signs: Abrupt visual diminishment or even blindness of the affected eye, tenderness of eyeball and pain in the deep eyeball in movement; findings of the fundus examination including congestion of optic papilla with edema unclearly edged, retinal phlebectasis; edema, exudation and hemorrhage nearby the optic papilla, or no obvious changes of fundus at the start of the disease (retrobulbar neuritis); accompanied by the general symptoms of headache, dizziness, tinnitus and bitter taste in the mouth; reddish tongue with yellowish coating and thready rapid pulse.
Therapeutic Method: Removing liver fire.
2. Syndrome of Stagnation of Qi and Blood
Main Symptoms and Signs: In addition to the same ocular symptoms as the above one, the other common symptoms include emotional depression, distending pain in chest and hypochondrium, loss of appetite; dark reddish tongue with petechiae and thready unsmooth pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: Soothing depressed liver and activating qi and blood circulation.
3. Syndrome of Fire HyperactivitY due to Yin Deficiency
Main Symtoms and Signs: Besides the same ocular symtoms as the above, the general accompanying symptoms include dizziness, tinnitus; feverish sensation in chest, palms and soles; bitter taste in the mouth and dry mouth; reddish tongue with little coating and taut, thin and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: Nourishing yin and removing pathogenic fire.
4. Syndrome of Asthenia of Both Qi and Blood
Main Symptoms and Signs: The same ocular symptoms as the above, frequent occurrence in women in breast feeding period, accompanied by short breath, hypodynamia, and dim complexion; pale tongue and thin weak pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: Invigorating qi and nourishing blood.