Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that can eventually lead to blindness. Of the four million Americans estimated to have some form of glaucoma, half are unaware.
According to the World Health Organization, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. Among African Americans, that stat jumps to number one.
Most people familiar with glaucoma know that older people are particularly susceptible to the condition, but anyone of any age can be affected without warning. Some research shows that glaucoma can be hereditary, but science is still unclear as to what exactly causes glaucoma to develop.
Medical marijuana, along with other drugs, has been found to greatly reduce the degeneration of vision caused by glaucoma. Usually, the pressure in the eye is one of the causes of glaucoma. Medical marijuana is beneficial because some of its chemicals lower intraocular pressure, also known as IOP, by up to 25 percent.
Some say it’s an insignificant gain when comparing the harmful side effects of marijuana, but that conclusion is a bit biased and lacking in true facts. While marijuana may cause increased heart risk in some elderly patients, most people report little to no side effects with regular medical marijuana use. That’s a far cry from the pages of potential side effects and horror stories that accompany even the mildest over-the-counter medications.
Marijuana is not a magical panacea in the treatment of glaucoma. There are – and should – other medications and remedies, including drops, that further reduce pressure within the eye through dilation and other means. Unfortunately, many of these methods can lose their effectiveness over time, and since there is currently no known cure for glaucoma, alternative treatments are not only preferable, they are necessary.
Scientists are working hard to create a delivery system for glaucoma patients that would allow them to reap the benefits of medical marijuana without having to smoke it. So far, alternative delivery systems for medicinal marijuana have proven less successful than inhaling or even ingesting the plant in small doses.
It is highly recommended to have routine eye exams by a professional every two years from the age of 40. This greatly reduces the likelihood that late-stage glaucoma will permanently affect vision.
Thanks to Mike Samson
