Does Weed Help Glaucoma?

Glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased pressure in the eye, poses significant risks to patients’ vision. Traditional treatments offer varying degrees of efficacy and often come with unwanted side effects. In clinicians and researchers’ quest for alternative treatments, one candidate that has emerged in recent years is cannabis.

Let’s explore the evidence, unpack the research, and shed light on whether cannabis can offer relief for glaucoma patients.

What Is Glaucoma and What Are the Symptoms?

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease that causes optic nerve damage that often leads to vision loss or blindness. It primarily occurs due to an increase in pressure within the eye, known as intraocular pressure. However, this disease can also occur without intraocular pressure.

Symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the type and stage of the condition. In its early stages, glaucoma may present no symptoms and not become noticeable until the disease progresses to an advanced stage.

Chronic open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma, often presents no early symptoms. But as the disease progresses, it can cause gradual vision loss that first affects peripheral vision, then central vision. If left untreated, it can eventually lead to blindness.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma, a severe form of the disease, can present sudden symptoms such as severe eye pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and seeing halos around lights. This form of glaucoma requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss.

Can Medical Marijuana Treat Glaucoma?

Medical marijuana has been recognized for its potential to lower intraocular pressure (IOP), a key contributing factor in glaucoma. This reduction in IOP can potentially alleviate the symptoms of glaucoma. However, the effect is temporary, lasting only three to four hours per dose. Therefore, frequent cannabis usage throughout the day would be necessary to maintain low IOP.

Moreover, other pharmaceutical treatments for glaucoma are currently more effective and have less potential for side effects. It’s also important to note that prolonged use of marijuana has potential side effects, including respiratory issues and cognitive impairment. Therefore, while medical marijuana can offer temporary relief, it is not currently recommended as a primary treatment option for glaucoma.