Have you ever considered that persistent insomnia might actually begin with your eyes? Modern medicine explains the wisdom of the Donguibogam through scientific mechanisms. The blue light emitted by everyday digital devices, including smartphones, computers, and televisions, is a major contributor. Blue light stimulates the retina and suppresses the secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin in the brain. When exposed to blue light after evening hours, the brain assumes it is still daytime, disrupting the biological clock and delaying sleep.
Staring at screens for long stretches also leads to digital eye strain. We typically blink 15 to 20 times per minute, but while looking at screens, that rate drops significantly to 5 to 7 times. Consequently, the tear film becomes unstable, the eyeball dries out, and stiffness and soreness develop. The ciliary muscle that adjusts the eye and the extraocular muscles that move the eyeball remain in constant tension, accumulating chronic fatigue. This strain can also trigger headaches, shoulder tension, and neck pain.
The inability to sleep is not just about physical discomfort. Eye strain directly affects the autonomic nervous system. Prolonged screen use and ocular tension overstimulate the sympathetic nerve, placing the body in a state of high alert. In this state, the parasympathetic nerve cannot take over to relax the body and bring about sleep. It is like stepping on the accelerator and the brake at the same time. The brain remains in sustained arousal, making deep sleep difficult to achieve.
Acupoint acupressure from Korean medicine is also being validated through modern neurology. Pressing acupoints around the eyes stimulates sensory receptors under the skin. These signals travel through the nervous system to the brain, prompting the release of neurotransmitters like endorphins that ease discomfort and promote relaxation. Acupressure also increases blood flow volume around the eyes, clearing accumulated metabolic waste and restoring nutrient delivery. In particular, it stimulates the vagus nerve to enhance parasympathetic nerve activity, which stabilizes heart rate, reduces stress, and ultimately helps induce deep sleep. Relieving eye strain goes beyond simple ocular comfort; it serves as a key to restoring overall balance and welcoming peaceful rest.
