Can Marijuana help treat Glaucoma?
No, marijuana is not an acceptable glaucoma treatment. It can lower eye pressure, but only for a few hours, while glaucoma requires steady, reliable pressure control around the clock, every day. Dosing that often would be impractical and carries real side effects. Proven options work far better: prescription drops, SLT laser, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery when needed. If you use cannabis, tell your eye doctor, but don't substitute it for evidence-based treatment, and keep up your regular glaucoma monitoring.
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Can marijuana really help treat glaucoma? Glaucoma is usually associated with elevated pressure in the eye You may have heard marijuana decreases pressure in the eye, but the effect only lasts a few hours The eye pressure must be controlled all day long to prevent vision loss Prescription eye drops and surgery are the most effective ways to treat glaucoma Talk to your eye doctor about managing your glaucoma.
Medical sources
- aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/medical-marijuana-glaucoma-treament
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11521503
This page and video are for general patient education and are not a substitute for a medical examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Eye conditions vary by individual. For advice about your eyes, schedule an evaluation with May Eye Care Center. In an emergency, call 911.
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Serving York, Gettysburg, Adams County, and northern Maryland. Call (717) 637-1919 or explore more about glaucoma at our practice.
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