Glaucoma, can it be treated with Cannabinoids?

Glaucoma is an eye disease which affects the optic nerve, provoking a continuous increase in pressure, which can bring to a progressive loss of sight.   

How does Glaucoma arise?

In the posterior chamber of the eyeball aqueous humour is produced, a fluid which has the function to nourish and oxygenate the part of the ocular bulb, where we can find the cornea and the lens.

This fluid moves from the pupil to the anterior chamber and is subsequently reabsorbed by the trabecular meshwork. When this process is impeded for some reason, an increase in the intraocular pressure occurs, which can develop into Glaucoma.

Which are the causes?

Glaucoma can be hereditary, congenital, can be a negative side effect of medical drugs, or can be induced by other pathologies like, for example, diabetes. Glaucoma may lead to the loss of nerve fibres of the optic nerve and bring to a possible loss of sight as well.

Cannabinoids and Glaucoma

Cannabis and its extracts could be used in the treatment of Glaucoma. Cannabinoids would be effective in reducing the pressure and hence could be used both individually and in combination with other medical drugs.

Several observations indicate how endocannabinoids could be important for ocular physiology, impacting the intraocular pressure, the physiology of photographic reception, neurotransmission in the retina and neuroprotection of the ganglion neurons of the retina.

 
CBD and Glaucoma

In 2006 the scientific magazine “Journal of Glaucoma” published a Study in which the effect of oral administration of Cannabinoids in relation to intraocular pressure was analyzed.

The Study was performed using not only CBD  but also THC on the patients. Two hours after administration of the lowest dosages of THC the intraocular pressure decreased and subsequently returned to its normal values after four hours.

Scientific literature on the Topic is however work in progress and there is still a long way to go before being able to state with certainty that Cannabis and its extracts can be considered valid in the treatment of Glaucoma.

Our news topics come from scientific literature; if you intend to learn more about it, kindly refer to a physician or write to wecare@enecta.it and we will give you all the information you need.
 
 
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