There exist a lot of focus in the U.S. and around the globe on the possible wellbeing impacts of using cannabis. A large part of the research is fulfilling, although there are dangers and questions with regards to medical marijuana.
One promising area where there’s consideration is on marijuana and glaucoma.
Does marijuana help glaucoma? This article contains more data on this condition, and specifics on marijuana and glaucoma, and the links they share.
Before we take a look at the specifics of marijuana and glaucoma, first of all, what is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an infection that attacks the optic nerve and can eventually lead to visual impairment. Glaucoma attacks both eyes, and in some cases, it’s highly present in one eye than the other. There are two essential classifications of glaucoma which include open-angle and closed-angle.
Closed-angle glaucoma involves moderately abrupt pain and vision problems. It also comes with a lot of pain which can increase if not treated quickly.
Open-angle glaucoma, also known as chronic glaucoma, is less intense than closed eye and usually involves minimal vision loss. Due to the slow progression of this type of glaucoma
People don’t realize it until it has severely destroyed the optic nerves.
Marijuana and Glaucoma
Many people are still doubting the effects of marijuana on glaucoma. Medical marijuana and glaucoma have been linked for decades. Also, several studies that cannabis could lessen the intraocular pressure that comes with glaucoma. Research studies on cannabis and glaucoma and numerous. One study showed that marijuana only slightly reduces the symptoms of glaucoma. Another research shows that the effects of marijuana on glaucoma only last a few hours. However, there is a need for more studies on the effects of cannabis on glaucoma patients but as for now, it’s showing some promise.
Glaucoma is a condition that needs constant monitoring, which means the patient has to be constantly using cannabis to gain benefits. The advantage cannabis has over conventional glaucoma drugs is the lack of side effects that come with its use.
Marijuana can also help glaucoma by lowering blood pressure in the eyes, which can result in even less blood flow to the optic nerve.
With marijuana and glaucoma, patients can start using the drug when they start realizing the symptoms, or else when glaucoma reaches the later stages it may become difficult to treat. Cannabis can also help to reduce the symptoms that come during late-stage glaucoma. For example, cannabis could be useful in treating pain and nausea that resulting from late-stage glaucoma.
There is still ongoing research on cannabis and glaucoma and is mostly focused on the role of cannabinoid receptors in the ocular tissue. There is also the probability of cannabis-based medicines that could help patients with early-stage glaucoma.
Bottom line
Cannabis is a preferable treatment for glaucoma. However, keep in mind that the effects won’t last long which means you have to constantly consume cannabis. Cannabis is mostly recommended for both early and late-stage glaucoma. Patients with later-stage glaucoma can use cannabis to reduce their symptoms.