Glaucoma is a complex eye condition that damages the optic nerve over time, reducing peripheral vision and can result in blindness if left untreated. One leading cause of optic nerve damage seen in Glaucoma is a high eye pressure, also called Intraocular pressure. For many decades, prescription eye drops have been used to lower the intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients. Surgery is also required in some severe cases to recover the damage to the nerve.
When studies revealed that smoking Marijuana appears to lower the intraocular pressure, many started hoping that it could treat Glaucoma Medical Marijuana Card Hollywood. These studies prompted the National Eye Institute to fund more research into the effects of THC on keeping the intraocular pressure down and stable. However, more research and in-depth analysis is required to establish how Marijuana can be used to treat Glaucoma and other eye conditions effectively.
Glaucoma is a qualifying condition for Marijuana use in Florida. If you want more information about the qualifying condition, you can contact an experienced expert of My Florida Green. These experts will guide you from getting a Medical Marijuana Card, to a Marijuana recommendation from a state-licensed physician.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma, one of the most common eye conditions, is the second leading cause of blindness in people after cataracts, affecting more than 60 million people worldwide. The most common form of Glaucoma is the primary open-angle Glaucoma (POAG), which is a slow progressive condition that destroys the eye's retina and degrades the optic nerve. This affects the visual field, reducing the patient's peripheral vision till the patient loses their eyesight.
Even today, the scientists have not been able to determine the cause of the primary open-angle Glaucoma, but they have identified 3 predisposing factors that increase the risk of developing this condition. These 3 risk factors are age, race and intraocular pressure. The disease is seen more in old age, 1% of people over 60 have POAG, and the incidence increases to 9% in people over 80. Regarding race, the incidence of POAG rises to 10%in African Americans, while it goes up to 25% among Caribbean people of African origin.
The third and most common cause is elevated intraocular pressure, which results from the blockage of fluid in the eye. Normally, this fluid, also called the aqueous humor, circulates between the front of the lens to the cornea. In patients with increased intraocular pressure, the fluid circulation decreases, reducing the flow of nutrients to the optic nerve. Most traditional medicines work on lowering the elevated intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients. Unfortunately, reducing intraocular pressure does not help or slow the progress of Glaucoma toward blindness.
How is Medical Marijuana helping Glaucoma patients?
Many clinical studies established that Cannabinoids (chemicals found in Marijuana) reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) like other glaucoma medications. This effect is seen with every Medical Marijuana product and form, whether smoked, taken orally, intravenously, or by inhalation. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and other natural cannabinoids have all been shown to reduce IOP significantly in both glaucoma patients and healthy adults with normal IOP. The studies have stated that this effect stays for three to four hours, which is why many do not consider Marijuana as an effective treatment for Glaucoma.
Glaucous is on the list of qualifying conditions in Florida, and you can apply for a Medical Marijuana Card and get a Marijuana recommendation from a licensed physician. The physicians will evaluate your condition and do a physical examination to determine if you will benefit from cannabis Medical Marijuana Bonita Springs. My Florida Green has experienced physicians helping many in Sarasota, Naples, St. Petersburg, and other cities in Florida.
What are the drawbacks of using Medical Marijuana for Glaucoma?
The effects of Marijuana on the intraocular pressure are short-lived and last for only three to four hours; this is seen as a significant hindrance in its use as an effective alternative for patients. This also makes it less practical to use because:
In Glaucoma, the eye pressure must be managed 24 hours a day, and this becomes difficult by using only Marijuana.
To decrease intraocular pressure and manage it, you would have to use a very large amount of Marijuana. Consuming such a large amount can affect your mood and mental clarity.
You may not be able to continue with your normal routine if you consume a large amount of Marijuana regularly. It will also be very costly to buy Marijuana as compared to other medicines used to reduce intraocular pressure in Glaucoma patients.
More quality research and study which can give concrete evidence on the benefits of CBD and THC is required. However, you can consult a Marijuana specialist near you to see if you can add Medical Cannabis to your treatment plan. If you are not sure of how to contact Marijuana physicians, you can consult with patient advocates working with My Florida Green and they will schedule an appointment for you.
Always consult an Eye Specialist
Even now, when Glaucoma is a condition for which you can legally purchase Medical Marijuana, you must not self-medicate in an attempt to treat Glaucoma. You must consult with an ophthalmologist and a marijuana physician who can decide if Medical Marijuana Card Palm Bay is the treatment for your condition.
My Florida Green is helping patients by using a digital platform to manage their Medical Marijuana treatment, that allows a secure, fast and efficient process of completing your Marijuana certification and to manage your Medical Marijuana medications.