Medical marijuana has been touted in some circles as a treatment for glaucoma. However, ophthalmologists and eye surgeons who treat glaucoma do not recommend marijuana as a therapy for the disease.
- There is no scientific evidence that marijuana is an effective long-term treatment and especially when it is compared to the conventional methods of treatment, which do have a proven benefit.
- Proponents of the drug's use point to its ability to lower intraocular pressure but that effect only lasts a few hours whereas the prescriptions available to treat glaucoma lower the pressure for a much longer period of time.
- Medical marijuana lowers blood pressure which in turn can lessen the flow of blood to the optic nerve which will actually increase the risk of glaucoma-related blindness.
- The risk of developing macular degeneration is increased two to three times whenever you smoke anything including tobacco and marijuana.
- The long-term use of marijuana has a profound impact on memory and causes impaired coordination and cognition which can impair everyday activities.
