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When the Grass isn't Greener
Why Marijuana May Not Be a Good Option for Glaucoma Patients
It’s been a joke for ages, get caught smoking
marijuana: “it treats my glaucoma!”. Cue the giggles.
With Medical Marijuana a
new reality in Oklahoma, it stands to reason that glaucoma might be one of the
diseases to be treated.
However, like most things, the jokes don’t always equal
reality.
What is Glaucoma?
It’s a disease that effects the pressure within
the eyeball. This increase in pressure will eventually lead to a gradual loss
in vision.
Of the three percent of people who have
glaucoma, only half of them have been diagnosed and are being treated.
This is
a scary statistic on its own, but when you find out that it is the second-leading
cause of blindness in the United States, it really drives home the importance
of a yearly exam!
Doesn't Smoking Marijuana Reduce Eye Pressure?
Now that we know what we are dealing with, let’s examine the effects of marijuana.
Smoking marijuana will decrease the pressure in the eye. Herein lies the nugget of truth to the joke, as lowering the pressure in the eye is a good thing.
Unfortunately, the effects do not linger,and one would have to constantly smoke it to gain any long-term benefits.
Casually consuming will lead to inconsistent pressure and therefor negates any positive effect.
In fact, the constant back and forth of pressure, raising and lowering, can be likened to treating your optic nerves like a trampoline – which will only worsen the condition.
Not to mention, sustained use of marijuana can lead to unwanted side effects which include memory loss and impaired coordination.
If those reasons were not enough, marijuana can also lower blood pressure, resulting in less blood flow to the optic nerve.
Contrary to the momentary benefits of reduced pressure in the eye, the lack of pressure on the optic nerve increases the risk of Glaucoma blindness.
Alternatives to Marijuana for Treating Glaucoma
Since there are proven methods to treat this
disease, the fleeting benefits of marijuana useis not practical and medically ill-advised.
Instead,
there are drops which reduce the aqueous fluid the eye makes, therefore
reducing overall eye pressure.
Surgery is also a viable option to treat
Glaucoma.
There is no need to risk varying eye pressures by smoking marijuana. Not to
mention, it’s not legal to drive under the influence!
Just say 'no'.
While there is no doubt documented medical evidence exists that marijuana can be used for medicinal purposes, contrary to popular belief however, glaucoma is not one of them.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your eyes, or the treatment thereof, make an appointment to talk to your doctor. Eye health is no joke!
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. To learn more about Glaucoma, be sure to check out our 3-part blog series:
Part 2 - Are you sure you don't have Glaucoma?
Part 3 - Why is Glaucoma awareness important?
BeSpoke Vision is an independent optometric clinic and eyewear boutique serving patients of all ages in the Oklahoma City metro area and beyond. Dr. Selina McGee specializes in helping patients with dry eye disease, specialty contact lenses, eye rejuvenation and glaucoma. If we can be of service to you, please call our friendly team at 405-341-2062.
