What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, whose health is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye. Additionally, Glaucoma is one of the main causes of blindness in people over 60 years of age and can occur at any age, although it is more common among older adults.
Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs. The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in an advanced stage.
Because vision loss caused by glaucoma cannot be recovered, it is important to have regular eye exams that include measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) in order to make a diagnosis in its early stages and provide appropriate treatment. If glaucoma is recognized early, vision loss can be delayed or prevented. Those who suffer from glaucoma will generally need treatment for the rest of their life.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of glaucoma vary depending on the type and stage of the condition. Some examples of this are:
open angle glaucoma
- Irregular blind spots in the side (peripheral vision) or central vision, often in both eyes.
- Tunnel vision in the advanced stages.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
- Intense headache
- Eye pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurry vision
- Halos around lights
- Eye redness
If left untreated, glaucoma will eventually cause blindness. Even with treatment, about 15 percent of people with glaucoma become blind in at least one eye within 20 years.
CBD to treat Glaucoma
So far, various studies have determined that CBD products contain different useful medicinal components that act as vaso-relaxants and can help increase the level of ocular blood flow.
Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to be successful in relieving common glaucoma symptoms. This is the reason why more and more people are looking to treat themselves with CBD products.
In addition, many patients often suffer from unexpected uncomfortable symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, and severe pain. Therefore, they turn to CBD treatment mainly because these products contain analgesic and anti-nausea properties. Of course, consumption will depend on the particular stage.
The endocannabinoid system and glaucoma
We all have an endocannabinoid system that plays an essential role in inflammation and neuroprotection. Specifically, the CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the ocular tissues of our eye that are responsible for controlling intraocular pressure. Therefore, many scientists believe that the use of cannabinoid-based products such as CBD have a positive effect on the endocannabinoid system and its receptors. In fact, these drugs can protect retinal cells.
How can I use CBD to treat glaucoma?
If used correctly, CBD can be a great option for many people. However, it is important to remember that each person is unique and everyone's reaction to CBD is different. The recommended dosage of each product can differ greatly, creating some confusion. The dosage may be different depending on the percentage of CBD oil. On average, 25 mg of CBD per day is effective for most people. For strong symptoms, the dose can be increased slowly over a week until symptoms feel better.
These days, many ophthalmologists recommend that their patients use CBD products instead of cannabis itself, specifically for those who are experiencing late-mid-stage glaucoma.
Benefits of CBD to treat glaucoma
CBD could help relieve intraocular pressure in the eye, thereby alleviating symptoms and reducing damage.
In general, glaucoma damages the eyes due to the excessive release of a harmful chemical known as glutamate. This compound leads to the death of neurons in the retina after the formation of peroxynitrite. Research conducted in 2011 has revealed that CBD products can prevent the formation of harmful peroxynitrite. As a result, it will provide maximum protection for neuronal nerves from glutamate-induced cell death.
In addition to minimizing cell death, CBD has also proven useful in treating some risk factors.
More scientific evidence on the use of medicinal cannabis to treat glaucoma
- A study conducted by a group of professors at the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, demonstrated how cannabinoid compounds such as CBD can alleviate common symptoms of glaucoma.
- In 1972, another study revealed that cannabis would reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) by 30 to 35 percent. Both studies point out that each patient can affect their glaucoma conditions through the consumption of CBD products.
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