Management of simple Myopia with Homoeopathic Medicine Ruta Graveolens 30 in the age group of 8 – 30 years in both sexes- A Randomized control trial

Increased incidences of myopia, especially in Asian countries, have been attributed to excess near work. Topical use of Atropine was effective in controlling myopia but has got side effects and rebound effects after stopping the treatment. Myopia treatment has come a long way from glasses/contact lenses to advanced minimally invasive refractive procedures and tremendous improvement in technology and increased dependence on digital devices, control of myopia progression remains a big challenge. Homoeopathy mentions Ruta graveolens (Ruta) 30 for myopia with its action on accommodation. Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of Ruta Graveolens 30 in terms of static, reducing, or improvingvisual acuity in cases of simple myopia in the age group of 8-30 yrs. in both sexes. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 subjects were screened by Dioptric Test and Vision acuity by Snellen chart, 52 subjects who were diagnosed to have simple myopia were divided into 2 groups by Lottery method sampling, where one group was treated with Ruta graveolens 30 and another group with Placebo, out of 52 subjects 6 subjects were dropped during follow-up. 46 cases of simple myopia from the aged 8–30 years were studied by randomised control method. before the study symptoms were recorded according to the Myopic questionnaire, Dioptric Test and Vision acuity. For the study group Ruta 30 and for the Control group Placebo was given in BD oral dose for 1 day & repeated after every 15 days for 3 months, thereafter, treatment was discontinued. After stopping treatment again symptoms were recorded. Design: This is a randomized, single-blinded, experimental study. Results: Before the study, the mean of the study group was -2.11 D (Right eye) -1.72 D (Left eye), while in the placebo group -2.23D (Right eye) -1.95 D (Left Eye). The difference in means between the two groups of -0.12 (Right eye) and -0.23 (Left Eye). In Dioptric Test, marked improvement was seen in 14 (60.86%) subjects in the study group where the average reduction in dioptric number was -0.75 D, and in 3 (13.04%) subjects’ Dioptric number was static but in 6 (26.08%) subjects no improvement was seen. In visual acuity, 9 (39.13%) subjects show mark improvement with a reduction in visual acuity by 6/3, and 12 (52.17%) subjects show static numbers whereas 2 (8.69%) subjects show an increase in Visual acuity. The mean change after 3 months was 1.91 (Right Eye) and -1.65 (Left Eye) inthe Ruta group and 1.91(Right Eye) and -1.65 (Left Eye) in the placebo group respectively and the difference in their means of -0.34 (Right eye) -0.61 (Left Eye). Conclusion: The results of this study show that the use of Ruta 30 in BD orally dose for 1 day & repetition after every 15 days for 3 months has reduced significantly Myopic progression as compared to the Placebo Group.