5 Acupoints for Dry Eyes — Complete Self-Acupressure Guide

Introduction

Dry eye syndrome is a condition that anyone who spends long hours looking at screens experiences. Do you know that frustrating feeling when your eyes feel dry and gritty, become bloodshot, and are hard to keep open? This symptom threatens eye health beyond mere inconvenience, but can be effectively relieved through acupoint acupressure.

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupoints distributed around the eyes regulate blood circulation to the eyes and help recover from eye fatigue. In particular, stimulating acupoints located around the eyes and face helps ease tension in the muscles around the eyes, promotes tear secretion, and improves blood circulation on the eye surface. Now let me introduce the 5 key acupoints for relieving dry eye syndrome.

5 Acupoints for Dry Eye Syndrome

1. Jingming (晴明, BL1) — The First Solution for Eye Health

Location: The depressed point at the inner corner of the eye (at the boundary between the nose and eye).

Acupressure technique: Using your index or middle finger on both sides, slowly apply pressure at a rate of about 1 press per second. Apply 10-15 presses with one hand, or about 30 total presses on both sides. Start with a pressure level that feels slightly tender and gradually increase the intensity.

Benefits: Jingming is the most important acupoint related to the eyes and serves as a fundamental treatment point for nearly all eye conditions, including dry eyes, eye fatigue, bloodshot eyes, and vision decline. Because it most directly improves blood circulation around the eyes, it is the first acupoint used for all eye symptoms.

2. Zanzhu (攢竹, BL2) — Fatigue Relief at the Inner Eyebrow

Location: The inner end of both eyebrows, directly above the nose at the point where the eyebrow is closest to the nose.

Acupressure technique: Using your thumbs on both sides, apply pressure by pushing inward and upward. Hold each press for about 3-5 seconds and repeat 10 times. Since you’re stimulating the eyebrow bone, distribute the pressure evenly along the bone.

Benefits: Zanzhu is particularly effective for relieving eye fatigue. It helps alleviate heavy eyes, a pulling sensation in the forehead, and darkening vision that may accompany dry eye syndrome. When stimulated together with Jingming, the synergistic effect is maximized.

3. Taiyang (太陽, EX-HN5) — The Mysterious Acupoint at the Temple

Location: At the temple area about 1-1.5cm lateral to the outer corner of the eye, in the depressed point between the eye and ear.

Acupressure technique: Using your middle or ring finger on both sides, gently massage in circular motions. Start with light pressure and gradually increase it, applying 10 circular motions in one direction and 10 in the opposite direction. Alternating between clockwise and counterclockwise motions is also beneficial.

Benefits: Taiyang promotes blood circulation around the eyes and relieves headaches caused by eye fatigue. It is very effective at relieving migraines and tension around the eyes that may accompany dry eye syndrome.

4. Tongziliao (瞳子髎, GB1) — The Supplementary Acupoint at the Outer Eye

Location: About 0.5-1cm lateral to the outer corner of the eye, in the small depressed point above the cheekbone.

Acupressure technique: Using your ring or middle finger on both sides, apply gentle pressure and hold for about 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10-15 times. Since the skin around the eyes is sensitive, start with very light pressure and adjust the intensity within a pain-free range.

Benefits: Tongziliao improves blood circulation around the eyes and directly relieves dry eye symptoms. It is particularly effective when stimulated together with Jingming for dry, bloodshot eyes.

5. Sizhukongjing (絲竹空, TE23) — The Recovery Acupoint at the Eyebrow End

Location: At the outer end of both eyebrows, where the eyebrow ends. Look for the depressed point that resembles a small valley.

Acupressure technique: Using your index or middle finger on both sides, apply gentle pressure and hold for about 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10-15 times. Stimulating with a gentle massage along the eyebrow bone is even more effective.

Benefits: Sizhukongjing is specialized in promoting eye fatigue recovery and blood circulation around the eyes. It helps alleviate eye fatigue and eye twitching symptoms that may accompany dry eye syndrome.

5-Minute Self-Acupressure Routine

Recommended timing: It is most effective to practice this routine three times a day—morning, noon, and evening—for 5 minutes each time. You can feel immediate relief when you practice it, especially after using a computer for long periods or when your eyes feel tired.

Order of practice and time allocation:

1. Jingming (1 minute) — Allocate sufficient time as it is the most important acupoint. 30 seconds on each side.
2. Zanzhu (1 minute) — The second most important acupoint. 30 seconds on each side.
3. Taiyang (1 minute) — Stimulate gently in circular motions. 30 seconds on each side.
4. Tongziliao (1 minute) — Apply light pressure. 30 seconds on each side.
5. Sizhukongjing (1 minute) — Gently massage along the eyebrow. 30 seconds on each side.

Precautions:

• Be careful not to scratch with your fingernails, as the facial skin in this area is very sensitive.
• For the first 1-2 weeks, start with light pressure and observe your skin’s reaction before increasing the intensity.
• If your eyes become bloodshot or experience severe pain after acupressure, stop immediately.
• You should practice consistently for at least 2-4 weeks to see results.