Glaucoma is a leading cause of visual loss globally, affecting millions of people. Investigations into alternative therapies have prompted a widespread investigation into the use of medical cannabis to treat glaucoma symptoms.
Marijuana is widely used to treat glaucoma because of its ability to lower intraocular pressure (fluid pressure inside the eye), which is critical in preventing optic nerve damage and visual loss caused by the condition.
Marijuana has a short effect on intraocular pressure, often lasting three to four hours after ingestion. This necessitates ingestion throughout the day, which may be inconvenient and disruptive to regular life patterns. Not everyone experiences a drop in ocular pressure after taking marijuana.
The reduction in pressure due to marijuana is controversial in treating glaucoma, as conflicting effects of marijuana include its potential to decrease blood pressure and possibly restrict blood flow to the nerve. This may counteract the effect of reduced intraocular pressure (IOP). Using marijuana could irritate your lungs and make respiratory issues worse. Also, you might also experience dry mouth, cognitive impairment and a faster heart rate. These effects may not be suitable for everybody, including older individuals. There are no extensive studies concerning the prolonged effects of using marijuana to treat glaucoma as it relates to its influence on the health of the optic nerve and eyesight.
Considering the restrictions and possible dangers linked to using marijuana for glaucoma treatment, traditional methods like eye drops, medications, laser treatments and surgery are still the treatments of choice due to their proven effectiveness and safety over time. Ongoing studies are being conducted to investigate how cannabinoids, the components found in cannabis, could be used for therapeutic purposes. The focus is to create medications based on cannabinoids that specifically reduce pressure (IOP) without causing the psychoactive effects associated with THC. This approach aims to provide a safer and longer-lasting option for managing glaucoma in the years ahead.
Although medical cannabis could offer relief in reducing intraocular pressure, it's not a long-lasting widely accepted standard of treatment for glaucoma at present. The most reliable and safest methods of managing the condition still revolve around established treatment options. If you are contemplating the use of marijuana for glaucoma management purposes, it’s important to have a thorough conversation with your eye specialist to carefully consider the pros and cons of using medical marijuana compared to using traditional treatment approaches.
Additional Resources
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