Characteristics of scleral blood vessels by eye observation method of traditional medicine in patients with neck and shoulder pain

Background: Eye observation is an unusual diagnostic method of inspection, through observation the characteristics of blood vessels in the sclera. Objective: To survey the clinical characteristics and features of color and shape of scleral blood vessels at 12 o’clock position in patients with neck and shoulder pain. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 147 patients who were diagnosed with neck and shoulder pain at Thua Thien Hue Traditional Medicine Hospital. Results: The symptoms of the tongue and pulse: pale red tongue accounted for 42.2%, enlarged tongue 44.9%, white fur 83.0%, thin fur 63.3%, slippery fur 44.2%; sunken pulse 93.9%, moderate pulse 72.1%, replete pulse 73.5%. About scleral blood vessels: bright red 47.6% at the right eye (RE) and 44.9% at the left eye (LE); winding shape 61.9% (RE) and 57.1% (LE); branched shape 66.7% (RE) and 60.5% (LE). Conclusions: The symptoms of high rate were pale red tongue, enlarged tongue, white fur, thin fur, slippery fur, sunken pulse, moderate pulse and replete pulse. The characteristics of scleral blood vessels that appeared with highest frequency in both eyes were bright red, winding shape and branched shape. Key words: blood vessels, eye observation, neck and shoulder pain, traditional medicine