Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve that can result in vision loss and blindness. Although many factors, some only partially understood, contribute to the optic nerve damage in glaucoma patients, it has been definitively established that the level of intraocular pressure (IOP) is related to the presence of damage1, and that treatments that lower IOP reduce the risk of developing initial damage2, and slow the progression of preexisting damage3. Therefore, the mainstay of treatment for glaucoma patients is lowering the IOP.
The ability of cannabis to improve the symptoms of glaucoma has been demonstrated in various studies, but doubts still remain over its efficacy and consistency within patient populations. Despite this, many medical cannabis patients utilize cannabis for glaucoma, and report subjective improvements in various symptoms.
Glaucoma increases pressure in the eyeball, which can lead to vision loss. Smoking marijuana reduces pressure in the eyes. Your doctor can prescribe other medications to treat glaucoma, but these can lose their effectiveness over time.
Researchers are trying to develop new medications based on cannabis to treat pain. THC may work as well in treating cancer pain as codeine. A recent study found that cannabinoids significantly reduced pain in people with multiple sclerosis, a disease of the nervous system.