Acupressure for Eye Strain and Vision: 7 Points for Tired Eyes

July 23, 2026

If you are reading this on a screen, there is a good chance your eyes feel tired. Digital eye strain — also known as computer vision syndrome — affects the majority of people who spend more than two hours a day looking at screens. Symptoms include dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and a burning sensation in the eyes. With the average adult spending over seven hours a day on digital devices, eye strain has become one of the most common health complaints of the digital age.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers effective, natural relief through acupressure. In TCM theory, the eyes are the sensory opening of the Liver, and they are nourished by Liver Blood. Several meridians pass through or near the eyes, including the Liver, Gallbladder, Bladder, Stomach, and Triple Burner channels. By stimulating specific points along these meridians, you can improve circulation to the eyes, relax the ocular muscles, relieve tension, and support the internal organs that govern vision.

The TCM Understanding of Eye Health

In TCM, healthy vision depends on several factors:

• Liver Blood: The Liver opens into the eyes and provides the Blood that nourishes them. When Liver Blood is abundant, the eyes are bright, moist, and see clearly. When it is deficient, the eyes become dry, blurry, or easily fatigued.
• Kidney Essence (Jing): The Kidneys provide the fundamental essence that supports vision, particularly as we age. Presbyopia (the loss of near vision with age) is related to the natural decline of Kidney Jing.
• Heart Qi: The Heart governs the Shen (spirit), which includes the aspect of consciousness that processes visual information.
• Smooth flow of Qi and Blood: Tension, stress, and poor circulation can impede the flow of Qi and Blood to the eyes, causing strain and discomfort.

7 Essential Acupressure Points for Eye Strain

1. Zan Zhu (BL2) — Gathered Bamboo

Located at the inner end of the eyebrow, in a small depression at the medial end of the supraorbital notch. This point is excellent for eye fatigue, blurred vision, frontal headaches, and twitching eyelids.

How to find it: Feel the inner end of your eyebrow, near the bridge of your nose. Press into the depression just below the eyebrow ridge.

Technique: Use your thumbs or index fingers to apply gentle but firm pressure for 1-2 minutes. Small circular motions work well. Close your eyes while pressing.

2. Si Bai (ST2) — Four Whites

Located directly below the pupil when looking straight ahead, in the depression at the infraorbital foramen. This point relieves eye fatigue, reduces puffiness and dark circles, and relaxes the muscles around the eyes.

How to find it: Look straight ahead. Place your index finger directly below your pupil, about one finger-width below the lower orbital ridge. You will feel a slight depression.

Technique: Apply gentle upward pressure with your index fingers for 1 minute. Be gentle — the area around the eyes is delicate.

3. Tai Yang — Supreme Yang (Extra Point)

This commonly used extra point is located in the tender depression at the temple, about one finger-width behind the midpoint of a line drawn from the outer corner of the eye to the end of the eyebrow. It is one of the most effective points for relieving eye strain headaches and general eye fatigue.

How to find it: Feel for the soft depression at your temples. Press gently — this area is often tender when you have eye strain.

Technique: Use your index or middle fingers to apply gentle circular pressure for 1-2 minutes on each side. Breathe deeply while pressing.

4. Yang Bai (GB14) — Yang White

Located about one finger-width above the midpoint of the eyebrow, this point addresses frontal headaches, eye twitching, blurred vision, and the tension that accumulates from frowning or squinting.

How to find it: Look straight ahead. The point is approximately one finger-width above the center of your eyebrow, directly above your pupil.

Technique: Apply gentle pressure upward with your index fingers for 1 minute. Combine with BL2 for enhanced effect.

5. Feng Chi (GB20) — Wind Pool

While not directly on the face, this point is essential for eye health because it improves blood circulation to the head and eyes. Located at the base of the skull where the neck meets the head, it relieves neck tension that often accompanies eye strain and directly supports the flow of Qi and Blood to the eyes.

How to find it: Place your hands behind your head. Feel for the two hollow depressions at the base of your skull on either side of the thick neck muscles.

Technique: Use your thumbs to apply firm upward pressure for 1-2 minutes. If you also suffer from shoulder tension, see our guide on acupressure for shoulder tension.

6. He Gu (LI4) — Joining Valley

Located in the webbing between the thumb and index finger, this is the master point for the face and head. It relieves eye strain headaches, sinus pressure, and facial tension. It is also one of the most versatile points in all of TCM.

How to find it: In the fleshy webbing between your thumb and index finger. Squeeze your thumb and finger together — the point is at the highest point of the muscle bulge.

Technique: Squeeze firmly with your opposite hand for 1-2 minutes on each hand. Avoid during pregnancy. This point also helps with headache relief as described in our headache acupressure guide.

7. Tai Chong (LV3) — Supreme Surge

Located on the top of the foot, between the first and second toes, about two finger-widths above the webbing. This is the most important point on the Liver meridian for eye health, since the Liver opens into the eyes. It moves Liver Qi, nourishes Liver Blood, and relieves the emotional stress that often accompanies eye strain.

How to find it: On the top of your foot, slide your finger from the web between your big toe and second toe upward about two inches. Press into the space between the metatarsal bones.

Technique: Apply firm pressure with your thumb for 1-2 minutes on each foot. The sensation should be a strong but pleasant ache.

A Simple Eye Strain Relief Routine

Here is a 5-minute routine you can do at your desk, ideally every 2 hours during screen time:

1. Rub your palms together vigorously for 15 seconds until they are warm. Cup them gently over your closed eyes for 30 seconds, letting the warmth penetrate.
2. Press BL2 (inner eyebrows) for 30 seconds each side.
3. Press ST2 (below eyes) for 30 seconds each side.
4. Massage Tai Yang (temples) in circular motions for 30 seconds.
5. Press GB20 (base of skull) for 30 seconds.
6. Finish with LI4 (hand webbing) for 30 seconds each hand.

The Liver-Eye Connection

In TCM, the Liver is the primary organ responsible for eye health. It stores Blood and ensures the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. When the Liver is functioning well, Blood and Qi reach the eyes adequately, keeping them nourished and resilient. When Liver function is compromised — by stress, poor diet, insufficient sleep, or emotional distress — the eyes suffer.

Signs that your eye strain may be related to Liver imbalance include eyes that feel worse after emotional stress, dry or bloodshot eyes, blurred vision that fluctuates with mood, and eye strain accompanied by irritability or headaches on the sides of the head. Learn more in our article about TCM emotions and organ connections.

Dietary Support for Eye Health

• Goji berries (Gou Qi Zi): These bright red berries are the premier food for eye health in TCM. They nourish Liver Blood and improve vision. Eat a small handful daily or steep in tea.
• Chrysanthemum tea: This pleasant, mild tea clears Liver heat and benefits the eyes. It is traditionally paired with goji berries. See our Chinese herbal teas guide.
• Dark leafy greens: Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard nourish Liver Blood in TCM and provide lutein and zeaxanthin in modern nutrition.
• Carrots and sweet potatoes: Their orange color indicates beta-carotene, which supports vision. In TCM, they strengthen the Spleen and nourish Qi.
• Blueberries and blackberries: These dark berries tonify Kidney essence and provide antioxidants that protect the retina.

Screen Habits and Prevention

While acupressure provides excellent relief, prevention remains the best strategy:

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• Position your screen: The top of your monitor should be at or slightly below eye level, about an arm's length away.
• Adjust lighting: Avoid harsh overhead lighting and reduce screen brightness to match ambient lighting.
• Blink consciously: Screen use reduces blink rate by up to 60%. Remind yourself to blink fully and frequently.
• Use blue light filters: Reduce blue light exposure, especially in the evening. This also supports better sleep, which is essential for eye health.
• Get enough sleep: The eyes repair during sleep. Going to bed before 11 PM supports Liver regeneration. See our circadian rhythm guide.

Understanding Your Constitution

Your body constitution affects your eye health. Those with Liver Qi stagnation tend toward eye tension and strain that worsens with stress. Those with Blood deficiency may experience dry, blurry eyes. Those with Kidney Yin deficiency may have dry eyes worse at night. Learn your type in our body constitution guide.

When to See a Professional

While acupressure is effective for tension and fatigue-related eye discomfort, consult an eye care professional if you experience sudden vision changes, eye pain, flashes of light, or progressive vision loss. These may indicate conditions requiring medical treatment. For comprehensive TCM assessment, a practitioner can evaluate you using tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis.

Conclusion

Eye strain may be an inevitable consequence of modern digital life, but suffering through it is not. These seven acupressure points, combined with awareness of the Liver-eye connection, supportive nutrition, and healthy screen habits, offer a comprehensive natural approach to maintaining comfortable, clear vision. Your eyes work tirelessly for you — a few minutes of acupressure throughout the day is a small but meaningful way to return the favor.