Medical Marijuana and Glaucoma

Glaucoma and marijuana are often closely associated. Cannabis has been a long-time treatment option for people with glaucoma and is a relief source for many. How might medical marijuana aid those who suffer from glaucoma? Ozark MMJ Cards has the information you are seeking.

Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition where the optic nerve is damaged, which can worsen over time. The optic nerve becomes damaged by intraocular pressure and can have a dramatic impact on vision. As glaucoma gets worse, vision loss and blindness can occur. The buildup of the fluid in the eye can also create painful inflammation is one of the primary reasons why medical marijuana is a glaucoma treatment.

Unfortunately, glaucoma is a condition that can be subtle and affect you for years without you noticing. Because of this, you may not feel the symptoms until you’ve had glaucoma for a couple of years. Symptoms of glaucoma include seeing halos around lights, vision loss, redness, hazy eyes, stomach illness, and eye pain. Fortunately, many of these symptoms of glaucoma take to marijuana relief.

Understanding the risk factors for glaucoma can be helpful. If you find yourself under any of these risk factors, it is best to get an eye exam. Some risk factors include:

• African American, Irish, Russian, Japanese, Hispanic, Inuit, or Scandinavian descent
• Being over 40
• Family history of glaucoma
• Nearsightedness or Farsightedness
• Diabetes
• A history of eye trauma

Marijuana Glaucoma Treatment

Marijuana’s effectiveness as a glaucoma treatment is due to the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system is a series of chemical receptor sites all over the body, even inside cells, that receive chemicals from cannabis called cannabinoids. Some of these chemicals are familiar already, such as THC and CBD. As these chemicals bond with these sites, they can trigger positive effects, such as inflammation and nausea reduction.

While medicinal marijuana is never a substitute for professional medical care, it should be accepted as a supplemental treatment for symptoms of conditions such as glaucoma.

Ozark MMJ Cards Can Help

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma and are considering marijuana glaucoma treatment, know your rights as specified by your state. Glaucoma is one of both Arkansas’ and Missouri’s qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card, and it is frequently used for certification in Oklahoma as well. So if you are dealing with optic nerve pain from glaucoma in one of these states, consider medical marijuana certification. Ozark MMJ Cards is here to help you certify. Please get in touch with us through a convenient telehealth visit.