Considerations When Taking Cannabis for Glaucoma

The best strains for glaucoma reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and provide pain relief. Glaucoma is an eye condition that develops when the optic nerve becomes damaged over time. This optic nerve damage is usually due to elevated IOP. 

Glaucoma causes a loss of peripheral vision. It can even lead to blindness if left untreated. Smoking marijuana or consuming other cannabis-based products may reduce IOP temporarily.

How Does Cannabis Help With Glaucoma?

Studies have shown that cannabis is effective in temporarily reducing intraocular pressure. It may also encourage blood flow to the eye and offer neuroprotective effects. Debate remains in the scientific and medical communities about how effective and safe marijuana is as a long-term treatment for glaucoma.

There are several research-backed benefits of medical cannabis for glaucoma:

Reduced IOP

• There is evidence to suggest that marijuana can lower eye pressure by about 25 percent for three to four hours.

• THC and related cannabinoids reduced intraocular pressure in several clinical studies. The pressure-lowering effect was observed with inhaled, oral, and intravenous cannabinoid administration.

Increased Blood Flow and Neuroprotective Effects

Animal studies show that cannabis encourages blood flow to the optic nerve head. It also protects neurons (nerve cells). This echoes research that suggests the endocannabinoid system may play a role in preventing nerve cell degeneration in the retina.

Vasodilation

Cannabinoids appear to relax the blood vessels that supply the eye with oxygen and nutrients. In glaucoma, the blood vessels constrict (narrow). This helps to explain the positive effects of cannabis on blood flow to the eye. 

Pain Relief

Cannabinoids’ impact on pain relief has been widely studied. Research has shown that cannabis offers a promising alternative to opioids for chronic pain management.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Cannabinoids have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. These may contribute to their therapeutic potential. A 2021 systematic review found that CBD, CBG, and combinations of CBD and THC generally reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This means that the immune system produced fewer signaling proteins that promote inflammation in the body.

This may be relevant to glaucoma because inflammation and neuroinflammatory processes are increasingly recognized as contributors to retinal cell damage and optic nerve degeneration. 

Main Concerns

The main limitation of cannabis for glaucoma is that the effects are short-lived. There is also a concern that decreased blood pressure due to marijuana consumption may reduce blood flow to the optic nerve, which is already compromised in glaucoma patients. These two concerns have led to debate about whether marijuana is a viable long-term solution for the treatment of glaucoma.

Medical marijuana is a great resource for many glaucoma patients. However, it’s essential to receive ongoing pharmacological treatment alongside cannabis use. This is because the pressure-lowering effects of cannabis are generally temporary, inconsistent, and less practical for long-term disease control.

Medical cannabis should be considered as a complementary therapy under medical supervision rather than a substitute for conventional care. Continuing prescribed glaucoma treatments remains essential to preserve vision and reduce the risk of irreversible blindness.

Professional Guidance Is Essential

If you are searching for alternative therapies, consult your doctor first to ensure that taking cannabis alongside your current medications won’t cause any problems.

Glaucoma is listed as a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card in Arizona and several other states. Making an initial in-person or online MMJ appointment with the Green Leaf Medical Marijuana Card Doctors team will allow Arizona-based patients to understand how cannabis can best be integrated into their glaucoma treatment plan. If approved, patients will need to renew their MMJ card every two years.

Best Strains to Relieve Eye Pressure

Certain sativa, indica, and hybrid strains are thought to be effective in lowering IOP. These strain recommendations are anecdotal. You should still consult an MMJ doctor before self-medicating with cannabis.

Indica Strains for Intraocular Pressure

Indica strains tend to have relaxing effects. They are popular for evening use. These strains may be helpful if the pressure and discomfort in your eye make it hard to fall asleep.

Recommended indica strains for glaucoma patients include:

• Grand Hindu: This strain offers relaxation, euphoria, and energizing effects. It is suitable for daytime or nighttime use. Grand Hindu is commonly used for insomnia, migraines, and chronic pain, as well as to reduce IOP in glaucoma patients. This is a potent strain with around 20 percent THC.

• Blueberry: This popular strain is renowned for its pain-relieving properties. It may help with debilitating pain from glaucoma. Blueberry has around 18 percent THC and a delicious fruity flavor.

• Cherry Kola: This strain reduces IOP as well as stress, pain, and headaches. With around 22-25 percent THC, Cherry Kola is a potent strain with a sweet berry aroma and flavor.
  

Sativa Strains for Intraocular Pressure

Sativa strains are typically more energizing and invigorating than indica strains. They are popular for daytime use. Sativa-dominant strains could offer relief from elevated IOP as well as other side effects of glaucoma, like inflammation, nausea, and headaches.

The following sativa strains are a good place to start:

• Tesla Tower: This strain offers uplifting effects that are said to relieve pain, fatigue, and eye pressure. Tesla Tower has an average of 22 percent THC and a sweet and fruity aroma.

• Hashplant Haze: Hashplant Haze is a fruity strain with an average 18-21 percent THC content. This energizing strain is said to lower IOP, relieve pain, and calm stress. 

• Santa Sativa: This strain offers pain relief and uplifting effects. It is also consumed for nausea and appetite loss. This strain has around 16-21 percent THC.
  

Hybrid Strains for Intraocular Pressure

Hybrid strains offer very different effects depending on the strain’s makeup. Sativa-dominant strains tend to be more energizing. Indica-dominant strains tend to be more relaxing.

Hybrid strains that could offer benefits for IOP and other glaucoma symptoms include:

• LAPD: This is a 50/50 hybrid mix with calming and relaxing effects. It may offer pain relief and help with sleep. This strain has a high THC content of around 24-26 percent.

• Mad Dawg: This is an uplifting strain with 18-24 percent THC. It is famous for relieving headaches and migraines, and may help with glaucoma pain.  

Is Indica or Sativa Better for Glaucoma?

Indica, sativa, and hybrid strains may all be beneficial for glaucoma patients. Finding the perfect strain comes down to trial and error.

Consider these rules of thumb when choosing a strain:

• Day or night? Patients who wish to improve their sleep should tend toward indica strains. Those looking for a boost to get through the day may prefer sativas.

• Which symptoms are you looking to alleviate? Many glaucoma patients take cannabis to reduce IOP. However, others use it to control symptoms like pain, discomfort, depression, and insomnia. Indica strains are said to be more effective for insomnia and pain.

• Do you need motivation or relaxation? Having a chronic, debilitating medical condition like glaucoma often takes its toll on patients' mental health and mood. Both indica and sativa strains may help regulate mood. Patients often prefer sativa-leaning cannabis strains for depression, whereas indica strains are better for stress and insomnia.

THC vs CBD for Glaucoma

THC and CBD have vastly different impacts on IOP. CBD interferes with receptor signalling. This could lead to a rise in IOP. Never replace prescription eye drops with CBD.

Does THC Lower Eye Pressure?

THC has been shown to lower IOP in the short term. THC isolates, highly potent concentrates, and high-THC strains with low CBD content are therefore preferable for glaucoma. 

Can I Consume Edibles for Glaucoma?

According to the evidence presented in the article Marijuana as Medicine?: The Science Behind the Controversy, both inhaled and orally administered marijuana are effective in reducing IOP (page 127).

What Are the Best Terpenes for Glaucoma?

Terpenes alone aren’t a treatment for glaucoma. However, some of the primary terpenes in cannabis have properties that reduce inflammation and protect nerve cells.

These include:

• Caryophyllene: Caryophyllene demonstrates anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

• Limonene: Limonene’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may help reduce oxidative stress.

• Linalool: Linalool exhibits anti-inflammatory effects.

• Pinene: Pinene offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Seek Medical Guidance on Cannabis for Glaucoma

Cannabis appears to reduce glaucoma-related IOP in the short term. It offers additional benefits for pain, discomfort, mood, and sleep. Certain strains are claimed to be especially helpful for reducing eye pressure and providing general relief.

Glaucoma is a serious condition that can lead to vision loss. It’s critical to consult a medical professional about cannabis use and how it complements conventional glaucoma treatments.