Glaucoma and Cannabis/Marijuana

@lacy2 Webinars are a wonderful way to receive information.

You will notice that I added the word marijuana to the title question. I did this so you could more easily connect with members that may be searching one of the other keywords.

Thank you !

@lacy2 Below I have linked previous related discussions where members @charlena @peach414144 @jakedduck1 have made comments on this topic.

- Medical marijuana: Got approved, but still leary https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/medical-marijuana-1/
- Medical marijuana for neuropathy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/medical-marijuana-3/
- glaucoma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/glaucoma/

Am I correct in assuming you have glaucoma? You said you could use cannabis for other reasons. May I ask those reasons?

@erika Good morning. Poor choice of words... I meant: from the Webinar it said cbd doesnts bring down eye pressure but thc does but dose would be too much... but were it not for raising eye pressure, I would try the cbd for aches and pains, etc. My daughter wants me to try the cbd with a "touch" of thc in for my extreme sadness and body pains, neuropathy etc. etc. but of course it would affect my eye pressure.... Yes I have Glaucoma and it is "narrow angles" and I was warned not to take anything that would raise eye pressure - many many medications, even a very dark room like movie theatre, dilation at eye dr. I lived in fear.... then had the recommended Iridotomy, which is 2 tiny holes by laser.... and I thought then I could take any meds etc., but now read on medication warnings: do not take if have Glaucoma.! There are different types. There was a question and answer 45 minutes on the Webinaire but I didnt have a chance to ask: I have narrow angle Glaucoma; but now I have had the Iridotomy surgery, do I still have narrow angle Glaucoma or only Glaucoma and why can't I take meds that raise my eye pressure if I have had the surgery. But they ran out of time.
It was interesting that some people with high eye pressure do not have Glaucoma, and some people with low eye pressure do! IMO thats why its good to have other tests such as "field of vision" etc. especially if it runs in the family....I dont know how many times doctors have prescribed meds that raise eye pressure even after I have told them my concerns. So, no, doubt I will every use cbd/thc but many people have said how it has helped them, especially for sleep, so I am not anti canabis. 🙂

thanks for the links

Hello! I truly understand your dilemma. I have peripheral neuropathy (pain), arthritis pain, and a long history with glaucoma. Prednisone and other steroids to treat my body and autoimmune disease have worsened the glaucoma. Fortunately, the glaucoma meds I take are keeping the pressures stable, and I am also using medical cannabis for pain. I stick with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD, which is working so far. But I've had glaucoma for a long time. Don't know if this is helpful or what you already understand, but I wish you all the best in managing your eye condition and your pain. It can be very frustrating!

..oh been a long time, since March, but latest Fall 2021 Issue of Newsletter from The Glaucoma Research Society of Canada , Dr. Rajiv Bindlish writes:
"Right now cannabis is NOT recommended for treating glaucoma. Cannabis has two components TCP, the hallucinogenic component, and CBD. It was thought that CBD lowers intraocular pressure, IOP, but studies have since found that TCP is the component that does so. To consistently lower IOP, one would have to ingest large amounts of TCP.. amounts that would typically make a patient constantly stoned. That's neither practical nor recommended for one's overall health."
Of course, we have to listen to what our own Ophthalmologists suggest, but thought his answer to a question about the latest research is to "treat" glaucoma might be of interest. I was overjoyed when I first heard that CBD oil could be used (instead of drops) but seems not. Where I live I don't have an Ophthalmologist and my Optometrist is not that knowledgeable so I have to rely on what I read from the experts.
Yes you are right, tlt, it is frustrating! Best wishes, Lacy

terri just a p.s. we have to put trust in our drs ... i have in the past and it worked out sometimes and sometimes it really did not ... but with this back and forth about marijuana vs. glaucoma meds... i would imagine, rightly or wrongly, that esp. In Canada where it is legal, surely the "drug companies" are losing a lot of income with so many people putting aside their typical prescribed meds, choosing cbd oil or htc instead... for various ailments... and it's not cheap either. So many conflicting reports on Internet. I am not willing to take a chance re my eye pressure but family members and even social worker/s are suggesting it.. such a worry to put my eyesight up against taking meds (including antidepressants) that "MAY" affect vision..its causing a LOT of stress for me. As well should a negative event occur, we don't have the "emergency eye drs" available in large Cities... anyway, just an afterthought. J.

Hi and thanks for all the information. Just to clarify, I am taking a full set of glaucoma meds (alphagan, LUMIGAN, cosopt, acetazolomide) to maintain the 20/200 vision I have remaining in my left eye. I'm taking cannabis oil for my arthritis pain; pain that has been ongoing most of my life. I did trade in opioids for it. My remaining vision is precious to me since I lost my right eye, and I proudly identify as blind (legally). I totally agree that cannabis is unfairly expensive, and not paid by ANY insurance in this country since it is still federally illegal. I was told several years ago that in order for it to help my glaucoma I'd need to stay high all the time. I'm not interested in that. I never get "high" or loaded. Microdosing is just fine for managing my neuropathic pain. I don't know of any other way to manage my glaucoma pressures than working with my ophthalmologist.

..... for sure, glad you have an ophthalmologist who is helping you, I don't have one just optometrist checks eye pressure once in a while, but your eye condition is more serious than mine... and your dose of 1 to 1 of cbd and thc in a micro-dose might help me... I, am going to ask about it, as need something for pain...... but apparently anti depressants are out for me... no guarantee they wont raise eye pressure and affect my vision... although they still want me to take a chance with them and I am not willing to take that chance; but living with depression and anxiety at my age is no picnic
. take care and thanks for the information... wishing you the best, J.