Glaucoma
A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Cannabis reduces IOP but its short duration limits clinical utility.
In Depth
Cannabis reduces IOP by 25–30% for 3–4 hours via CB1 receptor activation in the ciliary body. This was one of the earliest proposed medical uses of cannabis. However, glaucoma requires 24-hour IOP control, and the short duration of cannabis's IOP-lowering effect, combined with systemic side effects and potential optic nerve blood flow reduction, makes it impractical as a primary glaucoma treatment. The American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend cannabis for glaucoma.
Related Terms
More in Clinical
Dravet Syndrome
A severe, treatment-resistant form of childhood epilepsy characterized by prolonged seizures, often triggered by fever, beginning in the first year of life.
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)
A severe form of childhood-onset epilepsy characterized by multiple seizure types, slow spike-wave EEG pattern, and cognitive impairment.
Epidiolex
The FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation of purified cannabidiol (CBD), manufactured by GW Pharmaceuticals (now Jazz Pharmaceuticals). Approved in 2018 for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Dronabinol (Marinol)
A synthetic form of THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) approved by the FDA for chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting and AIDS-related anorexia.
Nabilone (Cesamet)
A synthetic cannabinoid analogue of THC approved for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. More potent than dronabinol.