Introduction
Refractive errors represent a major and growing cause of visual impairment, particularly among school-aged populations. Myopia and myopic astigmatism contribute significantly to reduced distant vision and ocular strain. Within Ayurveda, ocular therapeutics such as Anjana karma and Kriyakalpa procedures provide localized drug delivery approaches for both preventive and curative eye care.
Therapeutic relevance of Anjana karma in ocular and systemic care
Anjana karma, the application of herbal collyrium, is a specialized Kriyakalpa procedure widely used in Ayurvedic ophthalmology. It is applied in preventive and curative management of ocular disorders and is also indicated in systemic conditions where ocular pathways and detoxification mechanisms are involved.
This therapeutic approach is recognized for its role in maintaining ocular health, supporting visual function, and addressing conditions associated with toxic or acute systemic involvement, including Visha-related complications. The localized administration supports rapid ocular interaction and therapeutic modulation at the ocular surface and adjacent structures.
Clinical application of Pathyadi Varti Anjana in refractive errors
Pathyadi Varti Anjana, a herbo-mineral formulation used as collyrium, is applied in cases of refractive errors associated with distant vision impairment. Its clinical application includes regular instillation over a defined therapeutic duration, targeting visual clarity and ocular alignment parameters.
Clinical observations across cases of myopia and myopic astigmatism indicate improvements in multiple functional and structural visual parameters, including:
- Enhanced unaided visual acuity (VA), indicating improved functional vision
- Reduction in spherical and cylindrical refractive errors, supporting refractive correction
- Improvement in corneal surface regularity metrics, suggesting structural stabilization
- Favorable changes in corneal topography and wavefront-related parameters, indicating refined optical quality
These outcomes suggest a multi-dimensional effect on both optical performance and corneal surface integrity.1
Mechanistic and functional relevance of Anjana-based therapy
The therapeutic action of Anjana karma is associated with direct ocular surface contact, facilitating localized drug absorption and rapid therapeutic response. In classical Ayurvedic understanding, this route supports both ocular nourishment and functional correction, while also extending therapeutic relevance to systemic and acute toxic conditions.
The integration of Anjana formulations within ocular practice reflects a structured approach to vision care, combining preventive, curative, and supportive therapeutic dimensions.
Conclusion
Anjana karma and Pathyadi Varti Anjana represent important Ayurvedic ocular interventions with relevance in refractive errors and broader ocular health management. Their application supports improvements in visual acuity, refractive parameters, and corneal structure, while Anjana therapy continues to hold significance in both ocular and systemic therapeutic contexts within Ayurvedic practice.2
References:
- Devarajan D, Rajagopala M. Effect of Anjana Kriyakalpa in refractive errors: Evaluation through refraction and corneal topography indices - A case series. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2025;16(3):101128. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2025.101128. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11997376/
- Netam YK, Sharma A, Tripathy S, Pali V, Patel MK, Patel V. Conceptual study on the action of Anjana Karma to explore its preventive, local and systemic effects w.s.r. to Anjana Karma in Shalakya Chikitsa, Kayachikitsa and Visha Chikitsa. J Ayu Integr Med Sci. 2021;Nov-Dec. https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/1586/1549