How Does Medical Marijuana Help Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a debilitating disease that threatens the vision of more than three million Americans. For many patients, the possibility of losing your sight — or already being blind — can leave you prone to depression and stress, in addition to the effects of glaucoma. While many patients must rely on traditional treatments due to state legislation, others are soothing their symptoms with success using medical marijuana.

Typical Treatments for Glaucoma

Since the 1800s, treatments for glaucoma have been available. Today, there are many treatment options available. In most cases, however, physicians recommend a multi-prong approach, asking patients to use prescription drugs and shift their lifestyle.

Examples of typical treatments for glaucoma include:

Lifestyle Changes: To combat the cause of glaucoma, which is an eye pressure increase due to the build-up of fluid on your optic nerve, doctors advise a few lifestyle changes. One of the most significant is your diet. Patients must reduce their caffeine intake and try to consume more liquids throughout the day.
Eye Drops: To reduce fluid build-up, physicians prescribe eye drops that lower your fluid production and improve drainage. They may also provide you with a prescription for eye drops that decrease your eye pressure. These medications can cause several side effects, such as headaches, blurred vision and
Oral Medications: To manage more severe cases of glaucoma, your doctor may prescribe oral medications. These tend to work similar to eye drops, as they maintain your eye’s fluid processes to keep your eye pressure at normal. Side effects include dry mouth, low blood pressure and slowed breathing.
Surgery: To treat glaucoma that’s unresponsive to traditional treatments, physicians will perform operations. During these procedures, your surgeon will create a new channel for fluid drainage or modify the drainage tissue in your eye. Recovery times are extensive, and success rates vary.

While effective, many of these approaches to glaucoma can cause severe side effects, discomfort or interruptions to your life. Medical marijuana is an appropriate alternative that yields the same — or better — results without the negative effects.

How Medical Cannabis Manages Glaucoma

Studies to understand why medical cannabis alleviates glaucoma symptoms are limited — however, research shows the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of medical weed, which come from cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), reduce intraocular pressure and pain by connecting with receptors in these areas.

Benefits of Using Medical Weed for Glaucoma Symptoms

Choosing to make medical cannabis part of your glaucoma treatment plan offers many benefits, including:

Minimal Side Effects: While medical pot is not immune to side effects, they are minimal compared to prescription medications for glaucoma. The numerous strains available also lets you minimize or avoid select side effects, like giddiness.
Multiple Administration Options: Many prescription medications do not provide you with the possibility of choosing how to take a medicine, such as through a tablet versus a liquid. With medical cannabis, you can pick from several options to meet your needs.

Another advantage of medical marijuana for glaucoma symptoms include the fact that it’s a natural option.

Medical Cannabis Administration Methods for Glaucoma

Patients are provided with many options when it comes to administering medical cannabis, including:

Edibles
Ointments
Tinctures
Smoking
Vaporizing

Due to glaucoma’s side effects, such as increased eye pressure and inflammation, many patients opt not to smoke or vaporize medical weed, as the fumes can cause additional eye irritation. Edibles are often an ideal choice since they’re long-lasting, but speak with your medical cannabis physician to find the best option for you.

Learn More About Medical Cannabis for Glaucoma

At MarijuanaDoctors.com, we’re committed to providing patients and their families with vital information about medical cannabis, from its uses for glaucoma to its legality in different locations. With our comprehensive resource library, informative blog and vetted database of medical marijuana doctors and dispensaries, we strive to be a trusted resource for all things cannabis.

Learn more about medical weed for glaucoma by exploring our resource center!