Tear Duct Inflammation

How Chinese medicine differentiates tear duct inflammation into the four patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's Eye Discharge and Watery Eyes 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 red, swollen, painful lump at the inner corner of the eye with fever, or vision changes, needs prompt medical assessment for an acute infection (dacryocystitis).

General Acupuncture Points

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

Point	Key action
BL-1	Expels Wind. Clears Heat. Stops itching.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness. Promotes the function of the Liver and the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
L.I.-4	Expels exterior Wind and releases the Exterior. Promotes the diffusing of Lung-Qi, regulates the Defensive Qi and sweating. Stops pain.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Wind-Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A red, swollen inner canthus; yellow or sticky discharge; tearing worsens with wind; mild fever; sore throat.

Tongue: Red tip, thin yellow coating. Pulse: Floating and rapid.

Treatment principle: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears toxicity and releases the exterior.

L.I.-4 ↓ G.B.-20 ↓ BL-1 ⊥

Note: no moxa.

2. Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Thick, yellow, purulent discharge; a bitter taste; a heaviness sensation; dark, scanty urine; rib-side discomfort.

Tongue: Red with yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Wiry, slippery, rapid.

Treatment principle: Drains Damp-Heat from the Liver channel and reduces swelling and pus formation.

LIV-3 ↓ LIV-2 ↓ BL-1 ⊥

Note: no moxa.

3. Qi and Blood Deficiency

Clinical manifestations: Persistent clear or slightly turbid tearing; mild irritation without intense redness; fatigue; a pale complexion; poor appetite; dizziness.

Tongue: Pale, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine and weak.

Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi and Blood, nourishes tear duct tissues and strengthens the Spleen.

BL-1 ↑ ST-36 ↑ SP-6 ↑

Note: moxa is appropriate. No combined Qi-and-Blood-deficiency slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.

4. Empty-Heat from Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Dry, gritty eyes with mild redness; night tearing; night sweats; a malar flush; a dry throat worse in the evening.

Tongue: Red, thin, dry with cracks. Pulse: Fine, rapid.

Treatment principle: Nourishes Yin, clears deficiency Heat and moistens the eyes.

KI-3 ↑ SP-6 ↑ KI-6 ↑

Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Kidney-Yin-deficiency-Empty-Heat-blazing slide.

Related conditions

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