Glaucoma Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Ohio
Glaucoma is more common than most people think. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, 3 million Americans are currently living with glaucoma, yet only 50% of these individuals are aware of the fact that they have this condition. The prevalence of glaucoma in the State of Ohio is slightly higher than the national average, with just over 100,000 residents having the condition.
Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged in one way or another, often resulting in partial or total blindness. The optic nerve damage that takes place is usually due to intraocular pressure. Medical marijuana has been demonstrated to effectively reduce intraocular pressure and was thereby deemed an effective treatment to alleviate the symptoms associated with glaucoma.
Currently, the only way to control glaucoma and prevent vision loss is to lower your IOP levels. Your ophthalmologist can treat glaucoma with medication, such as prescription eye drops, or surgery, depending on the type of glaucoma and how severe it is.
How Effective Is Marijuana at Treating Glaucoma?
While marijuana is effective at reducing intraocular pressure, it only does so for a short period of time, roughly 4 hours. With that in mind, it would be difficult for patients to stay medicated 24 hours a day, although not impossible! There are new medical marijuana products that can provide all of the medicinal benefits of the drug, without having to get “high”. These new products make extensive use of the compound found in marijuana known as CBD, which isn’t psychoactive. Without the “high” medical marijuana can be used throughout the day without interfering with your normal daily activities.
Even though the effects of a single dose may be short-lived, this does not delegitimize marijuana’s effectiveness in improving the quality of life for patients with glaucoma. In addition to providing a nearly instant reduction in intra-ocular pressure, medical marijuana can provide relief from other symptoms of the disease, including:
-
Nausea
-
Pain
-
Headaches
3 Easy Steps
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with one of our friendly marijuana doctors at any location throughout the State!
Step 2
Visit our office for your
in-person evaluation with a state-certified medical marijuana doctor.
Step 3
With the doctor's approval, you'll receive your card via email from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.
Medical Marijuana Doctors Can Help
While marijuana is not a cure for Glaucoma, it can help make people with the condition much more comfortable. As with any medication, you should always discuss cannabis with a physician before initial use. If you are interested in using cannabis to help manage your symptoms, schedule an evaluation with an Ohio Marijuana Card doctor today!