CBD’s effect on the body can help reduce the main risk factor for glaucoma. Further studies are needed
Cannabis has increasingly been the focus of studies to investigate its medicinal potential, but it is nothing new that science is trying to discover its possible health benefits. Many of them have already been tested, others are still under investigation. This is the case of the use of CBD in the treatment of glaucoma, which has been studied since the 1970s.
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According to Dr. Flavio Geraldes Alves, president of the Pan American Association of Cannabinoid Medicine (APMC) and medical advisor to NuNature Labs, CBD is not yet available in SUS as a therapeutic option for glaucoma, as further studies still need to be carried out. However, the substance has shown great potential for efficacy in treating the disease.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the vision problem that causes the most irreversible blindness worldwide. According to the Brazilian Glaucoma Society (SBG), in Brazil alone it is estimated that around 1 million people are affected by this disease.
Glaucoma is characterized by the loss of the neurons that make up the optic nerve. The nerve, in turn, is a noble structure that connects our eyes to the brain, explains Dr. Tatiana Leão Vanini, ophthalmologist at the CBV Hospital de Olhos.
“Usually this loss occurs due to an increase in intraocular pressure, and leads to irreversible visual loss, initially compromising the patient’s peripheral vision. In advanced stages of the disease, it is as if the patient sees through a tunnel or tube, characterizing what we call tubular vision”, explains the specialist.
Furthermore, there is also glaucoma secondary to ocular trauma and vascular diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, which usually evolve into a more aggressive form.
According to ophthalmologist Dr. Sophia Zannatta, the disease initially causes no symptoms. “It is a silent disease, which in its advanced stage will cause reduced visual acuity and blindness,” she warns. According to her, routine visits with evaluation of the fundus, optic nerve and intraocular pressure can lead to suspicion. Other complementary tests can confirm glaucoma.
Treatment can be clinical or surgical, depending on the case and indications. “In general, they all aim to lower intraocular pressure to protect the optic nerve from permanent and irreversible damage caused by advanced disease,” she says.
CBD in the treatment of glaucoma
According to Dr. Flavio Geraldes Alves, CBD works in several ways to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), one of the main risk factors for the disease.
“One of the ways CBD works is by blocking the production of aqueous humor, a liquid that fills the eye. Aqueous humor is produced by the body to keep the eye hydrated, but it can also increase IOP if it is produced in excess. In addition, CBD also helps reduce the production of prostaglandins, substances that can cause inflammation and increase intraocular pressure”, explains the specialist.
However, the doctor emphasizes that further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis in the treatment of glaucoma. For now, it is known that the substance has therapeutic potential that can help patients suffering from fibromyalgia, depression and epilepsy, among other diseases.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
