In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is often categorized as "blurred vision" and is believed to be closely related to the decline of internal organs, particularly the liver, kidneys, and spleen. The spleen governs the macula, and therefore is particularly closely related to it.
The following is a TCM classification of AMD syndromes:
■ Kidney Essence Deficiency: Elderly individuals experience a decline in kidney qi and essence, leading to insufficient nourishment of the eyes and gradual atrophy and degeneration of the macula.
■ Liver and Kidney Deficiency: The liver stores blood and opens the eyes, while the kidneys store essence, which nourishes the eyes. In elderly individuals, liver and kidney deficiency leads to a deficiency in essence and blood, which prevents the eyes from receiving nourishment, resulting in malnutrition of the macula and disease.
■ Yin Deficiency and Fire Excess: Yin deficiency or excessive fatigue can lead to liver and kidney yin deficiency, causing virtual fire to rise, burning the eyes and causing bleeding, exudation, or edema in the macula, leading to disease.
■ Spleen Weakness: The spleen governs transportation and transformation and is the source of qi and blood production. Spleen deficiency leads to insufficient Qi and blood production, which in turn prevents the eye from nourishing it, leading to decreased macular function.
■ Internal accumulation of Phlegm and Dampness: A lack of dietary control can impair the spleen's function. Coupled with the elderly's decreased digestive function, this prevents the transformation of dampness, which accumulates as phlegm and dampness. This obstructs the flow of Qi and blood, causing stagnation in the fundus, leading to macular exudates and edema.
■ Intertwined Phlegm and Blood Stasis: Stress and emotional distress can damage Liver Qi. Stagnant Qi leads to blood stasis, resulting in Qi stagnation and blood stasis. Furthermore, spleen deficiency can cause phlegm production, which in turn causes phlegm and dampness to clog the fundus, leading to macular lesions.
