According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), glaucoma is a condition that can lead to blindness as a result of damage to the optic nerve 3 What is Glaucoma? Boyd, Kierstan. (2019). What is Glaucoma? American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma Boyd, Kierstan. This degenerative eye disease starts with a buildup of fluid that then increases eye pressure, injuring the optic nerve as a result. For people over 60 years of age, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness—though blindness can usually be prevented if treatment is started early.
For some users, this was no problem. For others, constant use made it difficult to continue with regular life. Some hoped that using CBD for glaucoma might produce similar pressure-reducing results, without the high. Unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case.
CBD has a long list of potential health benefits, but it’s important to recognize that for as valuable a treatment option as CBD can be for some things, it isn’t always the best fit. That’s the case with using CBD for glaucoma. If you’ve been recently diagnosed with glaucoma, talk to your doctor about the treatment possibilities and choose the option you think best fits your lifestyle and needs—they are likely to agree that isn’t CBD.
If you were already using CBD for other reasons, make sure you also bring that use up with your doctor so that together you can decide whether or not it is safe to continue doing so.
CBD for Glaucoma FAQs
Can CBD oil improve eyesight?
There is no research to suggest CBD oil can improve eyesight.
In 2015, researchers announced the testing of a product that could potentially be used to reduce cataracts with eye drops. As of now, their product is still in the testing phases and has not been released on the market—but .
Living in Alaska, Leah Campbell has a degree in developmental psychology and has written extensively on topics relating to health and wellness. As a single mom with endometriosis, she relies on medical cannabis to function at her fullest and is an outspoken advocate for marijuana legalization and the end of disproportionate incarceration rates against men of color for marijuana related crimes. A writer for HuffPost, Parents, and Glamour, Leah has discussed these issues on national television, to include Good Morning America and The Tamron Hall Show.