What science says about CBD For Glaucoma

Scientists and medical experts have mixed opinions about the benefits of cannabis in treating glaucoma.

Some healthcare experts believe that cannabis can be used to treat or prevent glaucoma. This is because the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, particularly delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can reduce the eye’s intraocular pressure (IOP) by dilating the eye’s blood vessels.

Since the 1970s, studies have shown that cannabis use decreases eye pressure and could be beneficial for glaucoma. Plus, there are some individuals have posted success stories on the internet claiming that cannabis helped them cope with the condition.

However, many medical experts disagree with the use of cannabis as a treatment for glaucoma. This is because glaucoma patients need to smoke it regularly throughout the day to keep their intraocular pressure low. And, frequent  marijuana use can have many negative effects on one’s health. 

Plus, regular cannabis use may worsen glaucoma in some patients because cannabis lowers blood pressure. This reduces blood flow to the optic nerve and may cause optic nerve damage.   

Furthermore, healthcare experts are unclear about cannabis’ exact mechanism of action; therefore, more research is needed to determine whether cannabis is an effective treatment method for glaucoma. 

Opinion in favor of taking cannabis to treat glaucoma:

Supporters of cannabis use for the treatment or prevention of glaucoma believe that the cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, especially delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can reduce the eye pressure by dilating the blood vessels.

Some studies about cannabis use and glaucoma support this theory. In fact, one of the first studies on the topic, “Marijuana Smoking and Intraocular Pressure,” published in 1971 found a 30% decrease in eye pressure among a significant number of participants after they smoked marijuana.

Some medical experts are hopeful about the future applications of cannabis in treating glaucoma because it does decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye for a short period of time.

For instance, Dr. Dana Tannenbaum an Ophthalmology Specialist in Burbank, California who graduated from the McGill University Faculty of Medicine, hopes that researchers can “utilize cannabis to make a safe, well-tolerated drug without side effects.”

Opinion against taking cannabis to treat glaucoma:

On the other hand, many medical experts disagree with the use of cannabis as a treatment for glaucoma. They argue that although marijuana use reduces eye pressure, it does so for a short amount of time (3-4 hours).

Thus, if one wants to continue getting the beneficial effects, one will need to smoke cannabis 6-8 times per day. Opponents argue that recurring marijuana use results in negative side effects that outweigh the positive effects of using it. 

Additionally, the most important cannabinoid observed in the treatment of glaucoma is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is the psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant that makes a person feel “high.” Therefore, it could cause addiction in many patients.

Plus, cannabis use may worsen glaucoma in some patients because recurring cannabis use lowers blood pressure. This reduces blood flow to the optic nerve and may cause optic nerve damage.

Furthermore, the effects of cannabis vary depending on which cannabis plant was used because there are many different types of cannabis plants. Plus, cannabis is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that the risks of marijuana use outweigh the benefits.

Opponents of the use of glaucoma to treat cannabis argue that there are not enough studies on cannabis use and glaucoma treatment; therefore, it is not considered safe.

Published: September 2020