How CBD May Help with Glaucoma Symptoms?

With more than three million people in the United States suffering from Glaucoma, it is to spread awareness about this sight-stealing disease. Caused by a build-up of extra fluid behind the front part of the eye, Glaucoma damages your eye’s optic nerve due to increased pressure and eventually leads to loss of sight. Symptoms may include blurred vision, severe eye and head pain, nausea, vomiting, or sudden loss of sight. Also referred to as “the sneak thief of sight,” this disease is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.

It is important to note that you should always refer to your doctor or CBD specialist when considering cannabis therapy. The intent of this blog is to share what Glaucoma is and how CBD oils may be able to provide some relief to those who suffer from this terrible disease.

What Causes Glaucoma?

As we mentioned, Glaucoma occurs when there is a buildup of pressure in your eye, referred to as intraocular pressure (I0P), which damages the optic nerve. If the damage worsens, it results in permanent vision loss or total blindness. Glaucoma frequently occurs in older adults. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease, so experts aren’t able to declare a precise cause behind the buildup of fluid.

Types of Glaucoma

There are two main types of glaucoma Primary glaucomas and secondary glaucomas. Within the primary category, there is open-angle glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, and congenital glaucoma. These are diagnosed when experts are unsure of the causes behind the disease. Within secondary glaucomas, there is neovascular glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, exfoliation glaucoma, and uveitic glaucoma. These are diagnosed when glaucoma is caused by another medical condition. Depending on the severity and progression, professionals may treat glaucoma with medications such as prescription eye drops or, if necessary, surgery. Each type of glaucoma is different – but most have no early symptoms, so it is important to get tested regularly, especially if you are at higher risk.

The Endocannabinoid System

The Endocannabinoid System plays an important role in regu­lating a range of functions and processes in our bodies such
as sleep, digestion, appetite, memory, and so on. Its most notable attributes are for pain relief, immune response, and inflammation. As for how it addresses glaucoma, cannabinoid receptors are involved in the ocular tissues, which may help to regulate IOP.

CBD’s Role

In 1971, Frank and Helper reported that the ingestion of cannabis lowers IOP by 25 to 30 percent. Later on, a 1979 study in the Inter­ national Journal of Pharmacology and Biopharmacology analyzed the effects of CBD on 16 patients with open-angle glaucoma. Its results exhibited reduced blood pressure and an increase in heart rate, which led to a decrease in IOP behind the eyes. Furthermore, in a 2016 stud/of cannabinoid receptors in monkeys, concluded that activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors may help restore normal vision and protect the retina. This means that CBD could be utilized to help alleviate some of the symptoms of glaucoma. CBD may also become a great help due to its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

In conclusion, more tests and studies need to be conducted to better understand the overall effectiveness of CBD for glaucoma. When used properly, under the advice of the appropriate specialists, CBD may help to lower I0P and protect the eye’s optic nerve over time. This could mean with CBDs pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, CBD could be utilized to help alleviate some of the symptoms of glaucoma.