{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/eyes/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2778-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions About Marijuana & Glaucoma Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-glaucoma-answered","content":"It’s no secret that some folks who suffer from glaucoma or poor eye health turn to cannabis for relief—and the vast majority report that marijuana helps them. Glaucoma arises when excess fluid causes intraocular pressure at the front of the eye. This can damage the optic nerve and usually results in pain, blurry vision and in some cases, blindness.\n\nIt’s thought that the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) lowers blood pressure and so reduces the intraocular pressure, just as many of the pharmaceutical glaucoma treatments aim to do. Scientific studies back up the anecdotal evidence and make a case for [marijuana not only as a pressure and pain reliever, but also as a neuroprotectant for eye nerves](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S007961230801131X). \n\nAre you thinking about treating your glaucoma with cannabis? Here are three popular questions about marijuana for glaucoma that members of the HelloMD community posed to our group of doctors, nurses and cannabis experts on our [Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) page. Don’t see your question about cannabis as a glaucoma treatment here? Head over to the Answers page where you can ask your question and hopefully learn how you can incorporate marijuana into your glaucoma treatment regimen. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Q: What Can I do About Glaucoma?\n\nAnswer: [@andrewvanmd](https://www.hellomd.com/people/55d3990c32326600062d0000/andrewvanmd/my-story) Cannabis has been shown to lower intraocular pressure and help with the symptoms associated with glaucoma. The pressure needs to be kept down all the time. Treatment with edibles and tinctures provide long-acting relief and would be preferred to smoking numerous times per day. I would try a CBD (cannabidiol)-rich whole-plant cannabis extract in a tincture format, three or four times a day. \n\n### Q: Is Marijuana the Best Treatment for Glaucoma or Are the Traditional Meds Far Superior at This Point?\n**_My friend still smokes several times a day for his glaucoma. But from my understanding, the pharma drugs are actually better for this than marijuana at this point. He is anti-pill and likes his weed. We argued about this last week and I want a doctor's opinion so we know who is right._**\n\nAnswer: [@dredmunds](https://www.hellomd.com/people/5695961d38c92e000a00006e/dredmunds/my-story) Traditional medications are well-established for the treatment of glaucoma. It’s important that you determine a target intraocular pressure with your ophthalmologist and then be followed closely. The first line therapy is typically pharmacologic or laser therapy (not surgery). If pharmacologic therapy is chosen, one current recommendation is topical prostaglandin. If mono therapy is not sufficient, another topical (a beta blocker) may be added.\n\nFrom what we know, I would consider marijuana to be a complementary or supplemental therapy to your medication; and this decision should be arrived upon with the guidance of your ophthalmologist. Cannabis does decrease intraocular pressure, and it also has neuroprotective properties, so it may be helpful in the treatment and prevention of progression in glaucoma.\n\nRELATED: [HOW DOES CANNABIS AFFECT YOUR EYES?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5acd032ff24d1300077ccbc8/how-does-cannabis-affect-your-eyes)\n\n### Q: Best CBD Oil For Eye Health?\n\nAnswer: [@drjacquelynlew](https://www.hellomd.com/people/58aba9f5005f8b001769728e/drjacquelynlew/my-story) Hello! For eye health I'd recommend a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio oil. CBD protects the optic nerve while THC has been shown to reduce intraocular pressure. I'd look for high-quality sublingual tinctures and start with a low dose in the evening, increasing slowly if necessary. \n\nOf course, it's always recommended to have annual preventive check-ups from an eye specialist (O.D. optometrist or M.D. ophthalmologist) and use cannabis as a complementary medication to their recommendations. Eating healthy foods especially those high in vitamin A (think orange-colored foods like carrots and sweet potatoes) and taking an eye vitamin can also be helpful for eye health as is protecting the eyes with sunglasses and safety goggles when needed. Best of luck.\n\nPhoto credit: [Simon Wijers](https://unsplash.com/@simonwijers)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/14b42/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/f836f/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.jpg 200w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/2244e/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.jpg 400w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/14b42/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.jpg 800w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/47498/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.jpg 1200w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/0e329/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.jpg 1600w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/6fe31/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.jpg 3668w","srcWebp":"/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/58556/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/61e93/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.webp 200w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/1f5c5/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.webp 400w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/58556/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.webp 800w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/99238/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.webp 1200w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/7c22d/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.webp 1600w,\n/static/0af018dac1d4a3deb4c2aff289ba159c/8f62f/d8d0cc93de08fc89dce6c28f427073c3.webp 3668w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2638-markdown","title":"How Does Cannabis Affect Your Eyes?","slug":"how-does-cannabis-affect-your-eyes","content":"Red, bloodshot eyes have always been a tell-tale sign of marijuana consumption—a temporary phenomenon that’s due to the effects of cannabis on blood pressure. But cannabis can also affect the eyes in other ways. Now, some research suggests that the neuroprotective and antioxidant properties of marijuana compounds cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may be able to support vision and offer some protection against common diseases of the eye and optic nerve.\n\n### Cannabis & the Eyes: A Complicated Relationship\n\nRelatively [little research has been done on how—or whether—cannabis can affect vision](https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/studies-look-at-effects-of-marijuana-on-vision), prevent any of the common eye diseases or relieve symptoms of those diseases. While some studies propose that cannabis has clear benefits for eye health, others claim the opposite, that cannabis can actually harm vision and the pathways for processing visual information in the brain. Complicating that picture are the many accounts by cannabis consumers themselves, who say that cannabis makes vision sharper and reduces the symptoms of glaucoma, a common eye disease.  \n\nThe effects of cannabis on the eyes and the overall visual system come from the interaction of a number of factors, including the unique responses of a person’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the type of cannabis they use. All these things can affect the various parts of the visual system, including the tissues of the eye itself, the optic nerve, and the neural pathways in the brain that process and store visual information.  \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nThe ECS is a vast network of receptors found in tissues and organs throughout the body. These receptors are activated both by cannabinoids produced by the body itself and by the very similar ones found in cannabis, which is why consuming cannabis has such a diverse range of health benefits. The tissues of the eye contain large numbers of the most common cannabinoid receptor, CB1, and so do many areas of the brain. This means that consuming cannabis in any form can trigger responses in various parts of that visual system—but those responses can be highly variable.\n\n### New Research Suggests Marijuana May Improve Vision\n\nThe first studies on how cannabis affects vision seemed to demonstrate that those effects were either non-existent or negative. This research proposed that cannabis causes a delay in the processing of visual information in the brain, so that there could be a lag time between seeing something and taking action in response to it, such as making decisions while driving, moving or picking up objects. Other research based on interviewing cannabis consumers about their vision revealed that [some people felt that they saw better while taking cannabis, others felt their vision was worse](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28422803), and some didn’t report any change at all.  \n\nBut those differences could be explained by factors including the kind of cannabis a person used, how often they used it and under what circumstances—and even the amount of CB1 receptors an individual has in given areas of the body. What’s more, the activity of those receptors can be affected by numerous factors such as the number of natural cannabinoids in a person’s system or other health conditions that affect the ECS in general. Those variations mean that cannabis can have a range of different effects on different people.\n\nNow, though, recent research that takes into account new discoveries about the ECS reveals a different and far more positive picture. The [action of cannabinoids on CB1 receptors in the eye, particularly the retina, seems to increase visual sensitivity in low light](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4987138/) and may also increase visual contrast—the ability to pick out things from their background. Though the research involved tadpoles, not humans, these insights could have implications for people whose work requires good night vision, or for those who have problems with distinguishing between things of similar color or brightness.\n\n### Cannabis May Treat Glaucoma\n\n[Cannabis has also shown promise in treating glaucoma](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S007961230801131X)—a serious eye disorder in which intraocular pressure is too high. This can cause fluid to build up inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness. The conventional treatment for glaucoma is medicated eye drops, which work to bring intraocular pressure down to normal levels. But some glaucoma patients and eye specialists report that cannabis can also help reduce intraocular pressure and help preserve eyesight.\n\nRELATED: [MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRESERVES VISION AND REDUCES GLAUCOMA PAIN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55c27a1d65613800063c0000/medical-marijuana-preserves-vision-and-reduces-glaucoma-pain)\n\nThis is because cannabis, particularly THC, lowers blood pressure—the same effect that’s responsible for the famous red eyes that accompany cannabis use. Cannabis relaxes and dilates blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow. And in the eye, it appears to have the same pressure-reducing effects.\n\nBut ophthalmologists and other vision specialists have been reluctant to embrace marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma. They say that its effects are only temporary and that cannabis has too many other effects on the brain and the rest of the body for them to recommend it.\n\n### Marijuana & Other Eye Diseases\n\nResearch on the impact of cannabis on eye health has been limited and that includes studies about [whether cannabis can affect other common eye problems](https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2016/10/30/cannabis-macular-degeneration) such as cataracts and macular degeneration, a condition that tends to affect older adults. \n\nBut [marijuana has documented effects as a neuroprotectant](https://www.marijuana.com/news/2017/01/the-neuro-protective-properties-of-cannabinoids/), capable of supporting the health of nerves and the neurons that transmit information within the brain. This means it may also be able protect the optic nerve in general.\n\nCannabis, especially strains high in CBD also have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This allows cannabis to help protect cells from oxidative stress and other processes that contribute to their breakdown and death.  \n\nThese properties may mean that cannabis can increase the rate of cell survival in the eyes and support the overall health of eye tissues. In this way, cannabis helps to protect the eyes against factors that contribute to the development of cataracts or macular degeneration, as well as less-common kinds of retinopathies. \n\nMany conditions can affect the eyes as well as the entire visual processing system. But because this system is rich in ECS receptors, the well-known properties of cannabis as a neuroprotectant and antioxidant may have an important role to play in keeping eyes healthy for life.\n\nPhoto credit: [Jordan Whitfield](https://unsplash.com/@whitfieldjordan)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  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