Glaucoma & Medical Marijuana: Treatment Options

Written By Alayna Ryan

What is Glaucoma?

Today we will discuss Glaucoma, one of the 23 qualifying conditions for the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program. Glaucoma is a condition caused by high pressure in the eye. In its most common form, glaucoma destroys cells in the retina and damages the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss and potential permanent blindness. 

The National Eye Institute estimates that over three million people in the United States currently suffer from glaucoma, with a projection of 4.2 million by 2030. After cataracts, this disease is a leading cause of blindness for adults over the age of 60, and more prevalent in African American and Latino communities. Other causes stem from previous medical conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure.  “Experts estimate that half may not realize that they have it” (Glaucoma Research Foundation). Physicians recommend regular screenings for those at risk, as there are typically no early symptoms associated with this irreversible condition. 

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 What are some common types of Glaucoma?

  1. Chronic (Open Angle)

    The most common type of glaucoma where eye pressure is caused by aqueous fluid draining too slowly from the eye from drainage canals. 

  • Normal Tension

    Also called low-tension glaucoma. In this case, the optic nerve is damaged despite normal levels of pressure. This can be caused by reduced blood supply to the optic nerve. 

  • Acute (Angle Closure)

    Characterized by sudden increase in eye pressure and serious symptoms including blurred vision and severe headaches, eye pain, nausea and vomiting. This develops quickly, and not everyone with this type of glaucoma experiences symptoms.

 How Can Medical Marijuana Potentially Help With Glaucoma?

According to the American Glaucoma Society, “It has been definitively demonstrated, and widely appreciated, that...marijuana lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) in both normal individuals and those with Glaucoma.” This insinuates that, even for a 3-4 hour time period, medical marijuana may be an alternative in lowering IOP for those with glaucoma based on the studies that have been allowed so far. Tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC, is an abundant cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant. This compound may help reduce pressure in the eye by dilating blood vessels, and potentially assist in relieving pain. THC may also help reduce nausea, a symptom patients experience during glaucoma attacks. 

For some, cannabinol, or CBN, has been found to be another potentially helpful cannabinoid for patients with glaucoma. CBN is a product of oxidized THC that typically occurs in only trace amounts in cannabis. As harvested cannabis ages, THC will gradually be converted to CBN over time. This mildly psychoactive cannabinoid, in addition to helping with symptoms of glaucoma, is known to be particularly useful for potentially reducing pain and muscle spasms, as well as aiding sleep. Similar to THC, CBN has been said to also reduce intraocular pressure in the eye, and acts synergistically with THC for treatment purposes.

How can TerraVida Holistic Centers assist?

TerraVida Holistic Centers offers free, on-site consultations with our medical professionals at all of our locations. Our pharmacists and nurse practitioners work with patients one-on-one to determine a plan for your unique lifestyle. After which, our Product Specialists can help you discern which products will have a high CBG or CBN content, as well as the best way to ingest those products for your goals.  Since CBN is a degradation product of THC, patients may age your marijuana at home to increase the CBN content. However, it is important to be aware that this will reduce the THC content and terpene content. By placing flower or dry leaf product in a clear glass jar and leaving it on the window sill, the heat and radiation from the sun will begin to age or degrade your cannabinoids. If you’ve ever medicated with marijuana that had been unintentionally aged, such as finding old product months after purchase, you may have noticed it had a more lethargic, relaxing, and possibly pain relieving effect.  This is attributed to the conversion of THC into CBN over time.

*Always speak with your physician before beginning any medical marijuana program. TerraVida cannot guarantee any definitive results from medical marijuana products.

Alayna Ryan
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