What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a complex eye disease that affects the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the retina to the brain. It occurs when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye and causes increased pressure on the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss or blindness if left untreated.
Glaucoma can affect both eyes but typically progresses more rapidly in one eye than the other. According to estimates, over 3 million Americans have glaucoma, and around 120,000 will become blind due to this condition.
How To Celebrate National Glaucoma Awareness Month?
National Glaucoma Awareness Month allows us to educate ourselves about this serious eye condition and how medical marijuana can help those who suffer from it manage their symptoms more effectively.
Medical Marijuana and Glaucoma
Medical marijuana has served as an alternative treatment for glaucoma since the 1970s.
Cannabis-based products have proven to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP)—the main cause of glaucomatous vision loss—by reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow to the eyes and slowing down the progression of vision loss caused by glaucoma.
While research into how medical marijuana affects glaucoma is ongoing, many patients report positive results from using cannabis-based products as part of their treatment plan.
Florida’s Medical Marijuana Program
In Florida, medical marijuana is legal for individuals with certain qualifying conditions, such as cancer and PTSD.
The availability of cannabis-based products for medical marijuana for glaucoma patients is subject to certain requirements. These include obtaining certification from a qualified physician recommending medical marijuana use for treating their condition, registering with Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry, and obtaining an identification card from the state Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU).
Once all these steps have been completed, patients can begin exploring their medical marijuana options through one of Florida’s licensed dispensaries.
Schedule A Consultation
Access Marijuana RX in St. Petersburgh can help you or a loved one better manage your glaucomatous symptoms with cannabis-based products.
As a qualified healthcare provider familiar with medicinal cannabis use in Florida, Dr. Lora L. Brown can guide you through your legal options. Give us a call at 727-209-5470 to get started!
