Cannabis and Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Its primary form is a progressive disease that destroys the optic nerve, causing the progressive restriction of the visual field (tunnel vision). If you live in or near Wildomar, CA, and need care for glaucoma or other vision issues, consider our team at Optometric Vision Experience, where our training and expertise can provide comprehensive vision care for you and your family.
Causes and Conventional Treatments
A few risk factors for glaucoma are age, race (higher among those of African descent), and intraocular pressure (IOP). Since IOP is the only controllable risk factor, it has been the target of most research and treatments. Even then, reducing IOP is not always effective at stopping glaucoma's progression, depending on the type.
Multiple prescription medications for treating glaucoma reduce IOP. There are also several surgical options for controlling elevated IOP.
Unfortunately none of them provide an outright cure for all forms of glaucoma but they offer clear advantages over cannabis as a treatment option.
Cannabis Is a Bad Treatment for Glaucoma
Studies have shown that cannabis is effective at reducing IOP, but cannabis-based treatments for glaucoma currently have multiple drawbacks:
● Cannabis reduces IOP for three to four hours, so patients would need to ingest cannabis six to eight times per day versus a lower amount for conventional medications.
● As used today, cannabis has psychological effects that many patients can not tolerate. Patients can not drive or engage in many other everyday activities. Cannabis can even have dangerous side effects, such as psychosis.
Conventional therapies are more effective at reducing IOP and are needed only a few times per day. The next generation of glaucoma drugs targeting will need to provide more effective treatment and cannabis simply cannot do so.
Although cannabis might look like a good treatment for glaucoma, conventional treatments are the recommended approach today due to their known impact, longer lasting effects, and patient tolerance of the medication.
Get Eye Care Services and Optometry Care from an Optometrist Near You
If you or a family member has glaucoma or other vision issues and needs eye care services, we are here to help. Those living in or near Wildomar, CA, can contact our team at Optometric Vision Experience. Call us today at (951) 304-9733 for optometry care from an optometrist near you.