| Glaucoma is a condition in the eye that can eventually | | | | side effects whatsoever with regular, medicinal use |
| end in blindness. Of the four million Americans | | | | of marijuana. That's a far cry from the pages of |
| estimated to have some form of glaucoma, as many | | | | possible side effects and horror stories that |
| as half of them are unaware of it. | | | | accompany even the mildest of over the counter |
| According to the World Health organization, glaucoma | | | | drugs. |
| is the second leading cause of blindness. Among | | | | Marijuana is not a magical cure-all in the treatment of |
| African Americans, that statistic jumps to number | | | | glaucoma. There are - and should be - other |
| one. | | | | medications and remedies, including drops that further |
| Most people familiar with glaucoma know that the | | | | reduce pressure in the eye by dilation and other |
| elderly are particularly susceptible to the condition, but | | | | means. Unfortunately, many of these methods can |
| anyone of any age can be affected without warning. | | | | lose their effectiveness over time, and since there is |
| Some research shows that glaucoma may be | | | | currently no known cure for glaucoma, alternative |
| hereditary, but science is still unclear exactly what | | | | treatment means are not only preferable, but |
| causes glaucoma to develop. | | | | necessary. |
| What has been found is, along with other | | | | Scientists are hard at work attempting to create a |
| medications, medical marijuana has greatly reduced | | | | delivery system for glaucoma patients that will allow |
| the degeneration of vision brought on by glaucoma. | | | | them to reap the benefits of medical marijuana |
| Commonly, pressure in the eye is one of the causes | | | | without the need to smoke it. Thus far, alternative |
| of glaucoma. Medical marijuana is beneficial due to | | | | delivery systems for medical marijuana have proven |
| some of its chemicals reducing intraocular pressure, | | | | less successful than inhalation, or even ingesting the |
| also known as IOP, by as much as twenty-five | | | | plant in small doses. |
| percent. | | | | It is highly recommended that after the age of 40, |
| Some say it's an insignificant gain when you compare | | | | routine eye checks are administered by a |
| the harmful side effects of marijuana, but that | | | | professional every other year. This will greatly |
| conclusion is somewhat biased and without true facts. | | | | decrease the odds of late stage glaucoma |
| While marijuana can cause an elevated heart risk to | | | | permanently affecting vision. |
| some elderly patients, most people report little to no | | | | |