BL1 (Jingming, “Jingming”) is the Meeting point of Bladder, Small Intestine, Stomach, Gallbladder, Sanjiao, Yin Qiao, Yang Qiao point of the Bladder Meridian. It is located in the depression slightly superior and medial to the inner canthus of the eye, approximately 0.1 cun from it. It brightens the eyes, expels wind, clears heat, stops lacrimation.
In the depression slightly superior and medial to the inner canthus of the eye, approximately 0.1 cun from it.
With the patient's eye closed, gently push the eyeball laterally away from the point. Insert the needle slowly along the medial wall of the orbit, without rotation, to a depth of 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Do not lift, thrust, or rotate the needle. This is a high-risk point.
Brightens the eyes, expels wind, clears heat, stops lacrimation.
Dim vision, poor distant vision, aversion to wind, excessive tearing (hot or cold), aversion to cold, headache, eye dizziness, red and painful inner canthus, blurred vision, inability to see, itching of the canthus, superficial visual obstruction, white film over the eye, pterygium, fleshy growth encroaching on the eye, night blindness , cataracts, infantile malnutrition with eye signs , adult qi-related eye disorders with cold tears, twitching eyelids, eye pain, red eyes.
As its name implies, Jingming is the foremost local point for a vast range of eye diseases, from simple redness and itching to complex visual obstructions and degenerative conditions. It is particularly noted for its ability to treat issues originating at the inner canthus. Classical texts emphasize its role in addressing both excess conditions like wind-heat causing redness and pain, and deficiency patterns leading to dim vision or night blindness. Due to its location and the convergence of multiple channels, it can powerfully move qi and blood to clear the eyes and restore sight.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷12 · Source: Wikisource ↗
目不明，惡風日，淚出憎寒，目痛目眩，內眥赤痛，目𥆨𥆨無所見，癢痛，淫膚白翳，睛明主之The text records that BL1 was used for dim vision, aversion to wind and sun, tearing with chills, eye pain and dizziness, red painful inner canthus, blurred sight, itching and white membranes spreading over the eye.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷十 · Source: Wikisource ↗
睛明 在目內眥頭外一分許，針一分半It is located about 1 fen outside the inner corner of the eye, according to this text, which gives a needling depth of 1.5 fen for BL1.
《神應經》 Shényìng Jīng — Classic of Divine Response, Chen Hui, 1425 · 穴法图 · Source: Wikisource ↗
雀目者可久留针，然后速出。 禁灸The text notes that for night blindness ("sparrow eyes") the needle at BL1 may be retained long and then withdrawn quickly, and that moxibustion is forbidden.
BL1 is one of 67 points on the Bladder Meridian. Nearby points:
BL1 (Jingming) is located in the depression slightly superior and medial to the inner canthus of the eye, approximately 0.1 cun from it.
BL1 brightens the eyes, expels wind, clears heat, stops lacrimation. Common clinical indications include dim vision, poor distant vision, aversion to wind, excessive tearing (hot or cold), aversion to cold, headache, eye dizziness, red and painful inner canthus, blurred vision, inability to see, itching of the canthus, superficial visual obstruction, white film over the eye, pterygium, fleshy growth encroaching on the eye, night blindness , cataracts, infantile malnutrition with eye signs , adult qi-related eye disorders with cold tears, twitching eyelids, eye pain, red eyes.
With the patient's eye closed, gently push the eyeball laterally away from the point. Insert the needle slowly along the medial wall of the orbit, without rotation, to a depth of 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Do not lift, thrust, or rotate the needle. This is a high-risk point. Caution: Adjacent to the eyeball — press the globe aside, insert slowly without lifting/thrusting or rotating; do not needle deeply. Bruising is common. Most classical sources explicitly forbid moxibustion. The Jia Yi Jing warns that needling should not be performed if the patient has a fever. The Qian Jin Yi Fang lists it as a point that should not be needled or moxibused in a healthy person. Modern practice requires extreme caution to avoid injuring the eyeball or orbital blood vessels.
BL1 is a point on the Bladder Meridian (Zú Tài Yáng Páng Guāng Jīng).