The insights of the Donguibogam align closely with modern scientific observation. While terms like the essence of the five viscera and six bowels or the liver might sound unfamiliar, they accurately describe how the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system work together to influence eye health.
When we look at a screen for hours, the eyes work under constant strain. Focusing at a close distance requires the ciliary muscle inside the eye to remain contracted. Prolonged tension in this muscle causes fatigue and can trigger convulsion, which may lead to pseudomyopia and resulting visual impairment. In addition, blinking decreases noticeably when viewing screens, causing tears to evaporate faster and destabilizing the tear film, which worsens dry eye syndrome. This process triggers inflammation on the ocular surface, continuing a cyclical problem. The issue involves not just a lack of moisture, but a decline in tear quality and reduced lacrimal gland function. In particular, meibomian gland dysfunction, which impairs the production of the tear film's lipid layer, is a primary driver of modern dry eye syndrome.
The liver described in the Donguibogam shares notable similarities with what modern medicine terms the stress response system, specifically the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Chronic stress and sleep deprivation increase the secretion of cortisol, which can induce a systemic inflammatory response and compromise microvascular circulation in the eyes. Reduced circulation lowers the delivery of oxygen and nutrients, aggravating asthenopia and hindering the clearance of metabolic waste. Exposure to bright screens late at night suppresses melatonin secretion and lowers sleep quality, further amplifying the stress response. Blue light exposure also presents an added concern, as it can damage retinal cells.
Ultimately, eye fatigue, dryness, and visual impairment in modern life are not isolated ocular problems. They reflect the combined effects of autonomic nervous system imbalance, chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and the stress response. Just as the Donguibogam assessed the health of the five viscera and six bowels through the eyes, modern science views ocular symptoms as indicators of systemic imbalance. Supporting eye health requires looking beyond eye drops alone and working to restore balance throughout the entire body.
