{"id":2178,"date":"2020-09-22T08:17:33","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T08:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabisherald.co\/?p=2178"},"modified":"2020-09-22T08:23:26","modified_gmt":"2020-09-22T08:23:26","slug":"cbd-for-glaucoma-can-it-help-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabisherald.co\/cbd-for-glaucoma-can-it-help-you\/2178\/","title":{"rendered":"CBD for Glaucoma: Can it Help You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
Glaucoma is one of the<\/span> leading causes of blindness<\/span> in the US. According to the<\/span> Global Burden of Diseases study 2010<\/span><\/a>, nearly 2.1 million people were blind while 4.2 million were visually impaired due to Glaucoma. These numbers were projected to increase widely over the next couple of decades.<\/span><\/p> This eye condition occurs due to the damage to the optic nerve. The most common reason for glaucoma is fluid build-up in the front part of the eye. This fluid build-up increases pressure on the eye, damaging the optic nerve, and results in permanent damage to the vision.<\/span><\/p> Glaucoma can occur at any age but is common in adults over the age of 40. This condition can lead to permanent vision loss.<\/span><\/p> The role of CBD in reducing or treating Glaucoma is unclear. With conflicting research and studies showing different results, further clinical trials will help establish the role of CBD for glaucoma.<\/span><\/p> Let us first understand glaucoma and its effects on the patients suffering from the condition.<\/span><\/p> As mentioned earlier, glaucoma occurs due to damaged optic nerves. The optic nerve is the most essential organ responsible for vision. It works by sending signals to the brain in the form of images.<\/span><\/p> When the pressure in your eye, also known as the intraocular pressure, increases because of fluid build-up, it starts affecting the optic nerve.<\/span><\/p> This nerve damage results in vision problems as it can no longer send signals to the brain. When this damage worsens, you will experience permanent blindness.<\/span><\/p> Glaucoma doesn\u2019t show any signs in the early stages. This makes it difficult to detect and treat at the correct time. Unless you visit an ophthalmologist for regular check-ups, you won\u2019t be able to identify this condition.<\/span><\/p> By the time the symptoms start showing, deterioration sets in. Ultimately, this condition results in permanent blindness.<\/span><\/p> Medications are available to lower intraocular pressure. But they can cause intolerable<\/span> side effects<\/span> such as burning, blurred vision, and tearing. Long term use can also<\/span> reduce<\/span> the efficacy of these drugs.<\/span><\/p> A study by the<\/span> British Journal of Ophthalmology<\/span> states that \u201c<\/span>..different cannabinoids, including cannabidiol, cannabigerol, endogenous cannabinoids, and some synthetic cannabinoids, can reduce the IOP when administered systemically and topically.<\/span><\/i>\u201d This feature along with cannabinoids\u2019 neuroprotective properties can make CBD a good agent to treat Glaucoma.<\/span><\/p> The hemp plant contains over a hundred different cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. These compounds are responsible for most of the therapeutic properties of the hemp plant. Among the various cannabinoids, THC and CBD are of chief interest.<\/span><\/p> In 1971, a study on a small number of subjects conducted by<\/span> Helper and Frank<\/span> showed that smoking marijuana lowered the Intraocular Pressure or IOP by about 25 to 30%. The effect lasted for about 3 to 4 hours. The subjects reported side effects such as lesser tear production, changes in pupil size, tachycardia, etc.<\/span><\/p> Long term use of smoking marijuana has the possibility of developing tolerance. The reduction of the intraocular pressure seemed to be inversely related to the duration of marijuana smoking.<\/span><\/p> On the contrary, another study conducted by<\/span> Dawson <\/span>et al<\/span><\/i><\/a> showed that marijuana users of 10 years or more and non-users showed a similar reduction in IOP after marijuana treatment.<\/span><\/p> Studies like the one published in the <\/span>Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics<\/span> show that cannabinoids like CBD and CBN were able to reduce the IOP.<\/span><\/p> Smoking cannabis can be unhealthy due to its various side effects. Therefore scientists have started looking for other safer and effective methods for administering CBD to reducing IOP, thus reducing the effects of Glaucoma.<\/span><\/p> A study published in the<\/span> Journal of Glaucoma<\/span> studied the effects of oral administration of low doses of CBD and THC on intraocular pressure.<\/span><\/p> The findings were as follows:<\/span><\/p> Topical application is one of the safer methods of administering CBD to maximize the results and minimize the side effects. Scientists applied the same principle to observe the <\/span>effectiveness of CBD in reducing IOP in the form of eye drops<\/span>.<\/span><\/p> One problem they encountered while conducting the experiments was that the cannabinoid extracts were lipophilic making them difficult to dissolve in water. As a result, administering them in the form of eye drops proved to be a challenge.<\/span><\/p> Since the surface of the eye is constantly moist due to tears, water solubility is extremely important for the eye drops to be effective.<\/span><\/p> With the administration of any eye drops, much of the solution goes waste due to lacrimal drainage.\u00a0 As a result, only about 5% of the dose reaches the intraocular tissue.<\/span><\/p> These factors were a challenge for scientists trying to test the topical administration of cannabinoids for glaucoma.<\/span><\/p> A study by <\/span>Keith Green and Walter.M.Jay<\/span> published in JAMA Ophthalmology employed 28 male volunteers who were administered THC that used mineral oil as the solvent. Most of these volunteers experienced side effects such as eye irritation, burning sensation, and swelling in the eyelids.<\/span><\/p> According to the studies published in<\/span> the Journal of Current Eye Research<\/span> and the<\/span> Life Sciences<\/span> journal, cyclodextrin, methylcellulose, and polyvinyl alcohol improve the aqua-solubility of cannabinoids, making them the best carriers for oral administration of CBD.<\/span><\/p> This study provides value for scientists and researchers working on the IOP-reducing properties of CBD through topical administration.<\/span><\/p> In Glaucoma, reducing the intraocular pressure by itself<\/span> may not be enough<\/span> to prevent vision loss.<\/span><\/p> A study on the neuroprotective effect of THC and CBD published in<\/span> The American Journal of Pathology<\/span> details the role of glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in glaucoma.<\/span><\/p> Glutamate is an important neurotransmitter. It is present in high concentrations in the retinal cells or the retinal ganglion cells. Certain conditions can cause glutamate to release in higher amounts. This excess release leads to the death of the retinal ganglion cells which in turn contributes to glaucoma.<\/span><\/p> The study explains the role of glutamate in causing the death of the retinal neurons due to the excess formation of peroxynitrite. THC and CBD may reduce the formation of peroxynitrite, thereby protecting the retinal neurons and the ganglion cells.<\/span><\/p> The neuroprotective properties of THC and CBD play a significant role in reducing the excess formation of glutamate. This happens due to the activation of the CB1 receptor which is a part of the body\u2019s endocannabinoid system or ECS.<\/span><\/p> The ECS including the endocannabinoids and its receptors is<\/span> present in the ocular tissues<\/span> and the retina. The endocannabinoids are present throughout the eyes, the only exception being the lens.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p> The ECS system is responsible for <\/span>maintaining various systems of the human body<\/span><\/a>. The endocannabinoids and receptors together form a network with each of them being responsible for one or more systems and functions.<\/span><\/p>What we know about CBD and Glaucoma?<\/strong><\/h2>
Oral Administration of CBD for IOP in Glaucoma:<\/strong><\/h2>
Topical Administration of CBD for IOP in Glaucoma:<\/strong><\/h2>
Neuroprotective properties of CBD for Glaucoma:<\/strong><\/h3>