Glaucoma is a reasonably common, and very unwelcome, condition of the eye, which can lead to blindness. It is estimated that around four million people in this country suffer, at least to a degree, from glaucoma. Yet, only 50% of those know that they actually have them!
The World Health Organization has stated that glaucoma is the number two cause of blindness in the world. It is particularly prevalent among African America, where it is the leading cause of blindness. This really goes to show how important it is that more is done to prevent it, and to treat it.
Most people believe that a glaucoma only affects people when they are older. While it is certainly true that they are more susceptible to it, it can actually affect anyone, and often without warning. There is some research that suggest there may be a hereditary link to glaucoma, although it hasn’t yet been conclusively proven. What is known is that a glaucoma can happen even if you don’t have a family history.
One thing of particular interest is that glaucoma is very responsive to medication, but also to medicinal marijuana. In fact, most of the marijuana delivery Los Angeles companies will tell you that their glaucoma clients are particularly happy about the help they have received. Medicinal marijuana seems to be particularly beneficial in terms of reducing the deterioration of vision. A glaucoma is caused by pressure inside the eye. It is believed that medicinal marijuana helps against this, because the chemicals found within it help to reduce IOP (Intraocular Pressure) by as much as 25%.
Of course, cannabis is a controversial issue and it is undeniable that it has the potential for some significant and harmful side effects. That being said, conventional medicine also has very strong side effects, and they are much more commonly experienced than those possibly associated with medicinal marijuana. Furthermore, the benefits – a tremendous reduction of pressure and a slowing down of vision loss – by far outweigh the potential risks.
At the same time, even proponents of marijuana will tell you that it isn’t a miracle glaucoma cure. Other medication exists, including drops that dilate the pupils, thereby reducing pressure, and they have a very important role to play. However, most people develop a tolerance to those medications, which means they become less effective. As such, particularly because glaucoma cannot be cured, alternative treatments are needed.
The world of science is looking very strongly at a solution for patients who suffer from glaucoma that enables them to benefit from medicinal marijuana, without having to smoke it. It is the smoke of marijuana that gives it the greatest side effects, which means people want to avoid it. Unfortunately, inhaling continues to be the most effective method of delivery, with even pure ingestion not creating the same effects.
If you are over the age of 40, it is vital that you have routine eye examinations once every other year. This will ensure a glaucoma can be caught, and treatment can be started, before any permanent damage is done.
