Glaucoma is an optic nerve disease that affects the cable connecting the eye and brain and can lead to vision loss or blindness. If you have been diagnosed with Glaucoma, you may be curious about the use of marijuana (cannabis) to treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is usually caused by increased pressure inside the eye. Extensive research has shown that cannabis is an effective treatment for glaucoma because of its ability to lower the pressure in the eye. However, there are other things to consider.
The Goal of Glaucoma Treatment
The main goal when treating glaucoma is lowering eye pressure to a safe level to prevent damage. Traditional glaucoma management includes pressure reducing eye drops, laser treatments, and surgery. When glaucoma patients cannot tolerate daily eye drops, they often seek out alternative treatment.
How Cannabis Helps Glaucoma Patients
As several states have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes, it has led many glaucoma patients to research the practice of using marijuana to treat their condition. Several studies have proven that smoking marijuana lowers eye pressure. But there is much more to learn.
The effectiveness of Cannabis on Intraocular Pressure (IOP)
Studies have found that marijuana does decrease IOP but only for about three or four hours. This means that to keep eye pressure lowered, it would have to be smoked eight times per day. Because the THC in cannabis causes mood-altering effects, smoking it this often would make it difficult to drive or operate heavy machinery, as well as generally affecting concentration.
Another big concern is that marijuana contains chemical compounds similar to tobacco that can damage the lungs when smoked. Some studies also show that daily use of cannabis can have undesirable and sometimes permanent effects on the brain, but other studies have revealed benefits. This adds to the controversy surrounding the use of cannabis for glaucoma.
Marijuana Eye Drops
To avoid the harmful effects of smoking marijuana, studies have been conducted in which glaucoma patients ingested THC orally, sublingually or via topical eye drops. THC delivered in eye drops may be promising, but because THC has limited water solubility, it has been challenging to develop an eye drop that contains an effective concentration of THC.
This, along with the mood-altering side-effects that are involved with using THC, makes developing a safe and reliable marijuana treatment modality for glaucoma challenging.
Controversy and Possible Negative Effects of THC on Eyesight
Some scientists believe that more studies are needed to ensure that cannabis and THC do not have any detrimental effects to vision. Some research has shown that glaucoma can be worsened by a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve. Marijuana reduces blood pressure so some theorize that it could exacerbate glaucoma by reducing blood flow to the optic nerve.
However, recent research has shown that in addition to reducing eye pressure, cannabis also acts on certain receptors that promote protection for the optic nerve. This is a different approach to treating glaucoma with cannabis and is currently undergoing further studies.
In the meantime, researchers are concentrating on making a more easily tolerated and longer-lasting THC formula for glaucoma patients.
Call Dr. Dennis Denick Today to Learn More about Your Glaucoma Treatment Options in or Near Plymouth Meeting, PA
It’s imperative to consult with a vision care professional to be sure you are doing everything to proactively treat your glaucoma. Never think that this is a condition that can be controlled without proper eye care from an optometrist or ophthalmologist you trust.