Is there a connection between floaters and kidney deficiency?

Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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In Western medicine, floaters are not significantly related to kidney deficiency, and the concept of kidney deficiency in Chinese medicine is different from that in Western medicine. Therefore, the treatment for floaters primarily involves resting sufficiently, reducing close-up work to alleviate eye strain, using eyes correctly, and appropriately using some peptide iodine eye drops, which generally yield good results. If the floaters are pathological, it is necessary to visit an ophthalmology department for further examination, including an eye ultrasound, fundus photography, intraocular pressure, uncorrected visual acuity, and corrected visual acuity, to actively treat and monitor the development of the vision, aiming to restore normal vision.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
49sec home-news-image

Is floaters related to the liver?

Floater syndrome is generally not associated with the liver, but Traditional Chinese Medicine theory believes it is related to the liver. The liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine is not the physical liver in our body, but rather a theoretical concept. Floater syndrome can generally be divided into physiological floaters and pathological floaters, also known as vitreous opacity. Physiological vitreous opacity generally does not require special treatment; it is sufficient to rest, use eye drops regularly, such as Amiodone eye drops, or conduct regular check-ups. If it is pathological vitreous opacity, one should visit an ophthalmology clinic for an eye ultrasound and a fundus photography examination to receive active treatment.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can teenagers get floaters?

Floater syndrome can also occur in adolescents. Floater syndrome is also known as vitreous haze. Mild vitreous haze does not affect vision, but it is more noticeable under bright light. The shapes vary, and they seem to fly in front of the eyes, typically not visible in darker environments, which means they are hard to see at night. In such cases, it is important to rest properly and use one's eyes correctly. If there is any refractive error, it should be correctly addressed with appropriate glasses. If conditions like myopia, hypermetropia, or astigmatism are not actively treated, they can lead to varying degrees of amblyopia or strabismus, thus they should be taken seriously.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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For floaters, should you use hot or cold compresses?

Floater, also known as vitreous opacity, generally does not require hot compresses, nor does it require cold or ice compresses. If floaters do not affect vision, it is called physiological floater; if they affect vision, it is called pathological floater. Once floaters occur, active examination and serious treatment should be carried out. If it is physiological floaters, it is important to rest, reduce close-range operations, avoid eye fatigue, and some dextranomer eye drops and lecithin complex iodine tablets can be used orally, which generally can improve after treatment; if it is pathological vitreous opacity, a detailed examination at an ophthalmology outpatient clinic should be sought for active treatment. (If medication is needed, please proceed under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Can slit lamp examination detect floaters?

Floaters generally do not require examination with a slit lamp microscope; they are examined using A-scan or B-scan ultrasonography to assess the extent of vitreous opacity, posterior vitreous detachment, and the status of the vitreous in relation to the retina. Floaters are also known as vitreous opacities and can be categorized into physiological and pathological vitreous opacities. Physiological vitreous opacities generally do not affect vision but appear as some floating objects in front of the eye, which do not change vision. These are more visible in bright light and less visible or absent in low light. If the vitreous opacity is pathological, it can affect vision and requires further ophthalmologic examination and active treatment.

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Written by Huo Ze Jun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to apply moxibustion for floaters?

After developing floaters, it is essential to first visit a hospital for an examination to determine the underlying cause. If there's a serious issue, such as retinal or ciliary body pathological changes, it must be addressed promptly. Some cases of floaters are due to the degeneration of the eyes, which occurs with aging, leading to problems with the vitreous. In such cases, treatments like acupuncture and moxibustion can be beneficial. Moxibustion usually targets acupoints around the eyes. Be careful not to burn the skin. Useful acupoints include the temples, which are located on the outer side of the eyes, and others like Cuanzhu point and Sibai point. More distal points, such as Fengchi at the back of the head, and Hegu on the hand, also benefit the eyes. There's also a beneficial acupoint on the outer side of the lower leg, five cun above the lateral malleolus, called the Guangming point, which is very beneficial for the eyes and can be treated with moxibustion. Additionally, frequent moxibustion at the Jiaji point, located about 0.5 cun (approximately 0.5 to nearly 1 cm) next to the midline of the cervical spine, can also benefit those with floaters.