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Pterygium

How Chinese medicine differentiates pterygium (a fleshy growth on the white of the eye) into the five patterns described for it, and the points for each. Supportive reading only. Distinct from this site's Red Eyes, Dry Eyes and Eye Pain pages. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. A growing pterygium that threatens vision, or eye pain with redness and vision change, needs an eye-specialist assessment. Advanced pterygia may need surgery; acupuncture is a supportive adjunct for irritation and recurrence.
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for pterygium — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
BL-1Expels Wind. Clears Heat. Stops itching.
LIV-3Subdues Liver-Yang. Extinguishes interior Wind. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
L.I.-4Expels exterior Wind and releases the Exterior. Promotes the diffusing of Lung-Qi, regulates the Defensive Qi and sweating. Stops pain.
The Five Patterns

↑ reinforcing   ↓ reducing   ⊥ even method.

1. Qi and Blood Stagnation

Clinical manifestations: Pale, thin pterygium without redness; chest and rib distension; dark complexion; foreign-body sensation.
Tongue: Dark purple, stasis spots, distended sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry and choppy.
Treatment principle: Moves Qi and Blood and restores smooth flow through the channels.
BL-1 ⊥ LIV-3 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓
Note: no moxa. No combined Qi-and-Blood-stagnation slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.

2. Blood Stagnation with Heat

Clinical manifestations: Red, swollen pterygium with engorged vessels; stabbing eye pain; burning sensation; thirst without desire to swallow.
Tongue: Reddish-purple with stasis spots, thin dry yellow coat. Pulse: Choppy and rapid, often wiry.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis and clears Heat.
BL-1 ⊥ BL-2 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ LIV-3 ↓
Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no Blood-stasis-with-Heat slide — no pattern link is given here.

3. Liver Fire Blazing View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Red, burning eye pain; rapid growth; bitter taste; intense irritability; temple headache.
Tongue: Red with redder sides, dry yellow coat, possible red prickles. Pulse: Wiry, rapid and forceful.
Treatment principle: Drains Liver Fire, cools the Blood and reduces acute inflammation.
LIV-3 ↓ LIV-2 ↓ G.B.-20 ↓ EX-HN-5 (Taiyang) ↓
Note: no moxa.

4. Heart Fire Blazing View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Eye redness or dryness at the inner corner; mental restlessness; dream-disturbed insomnia; mouth ulcers; palpitations.
Tongue: Red tip with red points, dry yellow coat. Pulse: Rapid, forceful, overflowing at the left front position.
Treatment principle: Clears Heart Fire, calms the Spirit and cools the Upper Burner.
HE-7 ↓ HE-8 ↓ BL-1 ⊥
Note: no moxa.

5. Liver Blood Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Slow-growing pale pterygium; dry eyes; blurred or diminished vision; poor night vision; pale face; fatigue; dizziness.
Tongue: Pale, especially the sides, thin, slightly dry, thin white coat. Pulse: Fine and choppy, wiry at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Liver Blood, strengthens the eye and supports long-term recovery.
BL-18 ↑ SP-6 ↑ BL-1 ⊥ ST-36 ↑
Note: no moxa if there are dryness signs.
Related conditions
Red Eyes Dry Eyes Eye Pain

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Acupuncture-only reference — structure adapted (not text) from how other condition-lookup sites organize this kind of content. Let us know what to add or change.