Medical Cannabis for Glaucoma

How Does Marijuana Help Glaucoma?

THC can reduce the eye discomfort caused by glaucoma called intraocular pressure. Numerous studies report relief of patients’ uncomfortable symptoms for three to four hours.

But as a long-term treatment for glaucoma symptoms, researchers and doctors today don’t recommend medical marijuana. The reason? Smoking marijuana every three to four hours isn’t practical for most people.

How about CBD then? Studies on rats showed that CBD increases their eyes’ intraocular pressure. CBD also can lower blood pressure, reducing blood flow to and damaging the optic nerves. The potential results are loss of peripheral vision and eventually blindness.

Today, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Glaucoma Society advise against prescribing cannabis to treat glaucoma.

If you’re thinking about using cannabis to relieve your glaucoma symptoms, even temporarily, talk with your doctor first.