Individualised Homoeopathic Medicines in Cases of Simple Myopia in the Age Group of 18–30 Years: A Case Series Study

Author

Dr. Deep Mandali, Dr. Virendra Jain, Dr. Sonali Rohom, Dr. Ankita Thete, Dr. Aditi Kale, Dr. Swati Yenurkar


Abstract

 Background: Myopia is a fast-growing refractive error, and spectacles, contact lenses and surgery correct it without stopping its progression. Individualised homoeopathy has been proposed as a safe additional option, but evidence is limited. 

Objectives: To describe the change in refractive error after individualised homoeopathic treatment in young adults aged 18–30 years with simple myopia, and to identify the commonly prescribed medicines. 

Methods: A prospective case series was conducted over 18 months in the college hospital OPD, institutional camps and the guide’s OPD. Of 308 people screened, 48 met the inclusion criteria and 30 were included. Refraction was measured with a Snellen chart and a computerised auto-refractor before and after treatment. Individualised prescriptions were based on case-taking and repertorisation (RADAR, Synthesis Treasure Edition). Pre- and post-treatment values were compared with paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. 

Results: The mean age was 21.5 years (range 19–24) and 22 participants were women. Mean right-eye power changed from −2.04 D to −1.73 D (mean reduction 0.32 D, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.44; t = 5.40; p < 0.001) and left-eye power from −1.93 D to −1.53 D (0.39 D, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.52; t = 6.21; p < 0.001). Myopia was lower in at least one eye in 23 participants (76.7%) and unchanged in both eyes in 7 (23.3%). Pulsatilla, Argentum nitricum and Phosphorus were each prescribed in three participants. 

Conclusion: A small reduction in measured myopia (about 0.3–0.4 D) followed individualised homoeopathic treatment. The change is of a size that can overlap with measurement variability, and there was no control group, so the findings cannot show that the medicines caused it; they support a controlled study with cycloplegic refraction and axial length.


Keywords

Simple myopia, Homoeopathy, Snellen’s chart, Auto-refractor, Case series study, Refractive error.



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