Diagnosed with Glaucoma Today

Hey, looking for a little help. I'm Type 1 Diabetic and was diagnosed with Glaucoma today. Have a few procedures scheduled, but was hoping someone could point me in the direction of what strains might be helpful. I've been growing for just over a year, so I have some experience. Any help is much appreciated.

I have a close friend with glaucoma. I mentioned cannabis to her, but she says that she dislikes the psychological effects. So I was wondering if the less psychoactive, high CBD strains would work for her. Just did a web search on glaucoma and CBD. It appears that THC is the active ingredient that reduces interocular pressure. A study was done comparing sublingual doses of extracts high in THC and CBD. The THC lozenges effectively reduced the eye pressure for around 3 hours, but the CBD lozenges failed to lower pressure and in higher doses actually caused an increase in interocular pressure. So it looks like you want the higher THC marijuana and not the high CBD strains even though they are touted as being "medicinal".

I was told that for cannabis to be most effective for glaucoma it had to be smoked. Smoking reduces ocular pressure. I know one of the federal cannabis patients Elvy uses it for glaucoma. I posted a quote of hers below.

"I was diagnosed with Glaucoma in 1975. Within a year, I already knew that there was nothing absolutely nothing that was on the market then worked for my glaucoma except for marijuana... One of the benefits of using marijuana is that most of us drop all the other drugs that really do a number on our heads and make it difficult for us to stay healthy between our livers, kidneys and everything else about us. It takes other pills to take care of everything else. I don't have to deal with that. I did discover marijuana and pretty soon I found that it was the only medicine I ever needed."

May 28, 2010 - Elvy Musikka

!RA! said:

Hey, looking for a little help. I'm Type 1 Diabetic and was diagnosed with Glaucoma today. Have a few procedures scheduled, but was hoping someone could point me in the direction of what strains might be helpful. I've been growing for just over a year, so I have some experience. Any help is much appreciated.

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White Label - Purple Haze
Dr. Greenthumb - Mediplant

This is from May 11, 2015 HIGH TIMES issue:Grow Q&A: Strains for Glaucoma

Dear Dan, As a reader since Issue #1, a bean user since 1966, and a successful grower since the '80s, I am in need of some medical advice. I have posed this question to several medical outlets to no avail so I turn to the person I should have gone to in the first place!

I have had several operations on both eyes for macular holes, a detached retina in the left eye, and a "buckle" on the left eye as well. Macular holes cause a squiggle in your eyesight and they must be filled with an air bubble much like the plug of a boat.

I have high ocular pressure which puts a strain on these holes and have looked for strains of cannabis to relieve this pressure. I have grown A-train and Afghani both which tend to help, but I would appreciate any CBD-high strain suggestions which would help with eye pressure. I know that some of my strains, which may give a great buzz, may actually be hurting my eyes. I live in Tennessee and have a pretty good growing period for farming.

I would appreciate any help you might have on identifying some "eye-friendly" strains to help me in my golden years; I am now 63. - John K.

Dear John,

I consulted with my friend Lisa Calvin, budtender at Mountain Medicinals in Idaho Springs Colorado and glaucoma patient since 2011. She says that the cannabionoid CBG (Cannabigerol) plays a major role in reducing ocular pressure but few strains have much of it. I’ve heard Mickey Kush from TGA Genetics has a decent amount of CBG but that’s anecdotal evidence at best. Lisa recommends juicing young marijuana sprouts and consuming cannabis at least every four hours for the best results. CBD also seems to play an important role in reducing the pressure from glaucoma so please look into growing strains high in CBD as well. A great resource to get started is cbdcrew.org. Hope that helps!

And from 420 Magazine April 15, 2011:
The folks at Apothecary Colorado had a good piece of advice for glaucoma patients when we talked to them. “Based on my research and experience,
there isn’t any one particular strain that has shown to be the most effective for glaucoma. According to research, there are cannabinoid receptors in the
eye that are affected by THC and CBD, which are two cannabinoids found in all strains. The most potent cannabis with high percentages of THC and CBD will probably work best for glaucoma. Rather than looking at specific strains, look at the potency. Potency does not depend on the strain, but also how it was grown. Also, keep in mind that everyone’s body reacts differently to different strains
and different cannabinoid levels. More research is definitely needed and there are many variables to take into account.”

Crusader Rabbit said:

I have a close friend with glaucoma. I mentioned cannabis to her, but she says that she dislikes the psychological effects. So I was wondering if the less psychoactive, high CBD strains would work for her. Just did a web search on glaucoma and CBD. It appears that THC is the active ingredient that reduces interocular pressure. A study was done comparing sublingual doses of extracts high in THC and CBD. The THC lozenges effectively reduced the eye pressure for around 3 hours, but the CBD lozenges failed to lower pressure and in higher doses actually caused an increase in interocular pressure. So it looks like you want the higher THC marijuana and not the high CBD strains even though they are touted as being "medicinal".

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Your friend should try mandalas ganesh. Its a prtty clear head and its ver soothing on the whole body. Plus i always get phenos that smell and taste of chocolate.

Thanks!

Thanks!

Hey, thank you all so much for your input. It's very helpful, and the part about potency vs. strain made a lot of sense. I now have some ideas on what to grow. Thank you again for the help, been a pretty stressful time for the last few weeks.

!RA! said:

Hey, thank you all so much for your input. It's very helpful, and the part about potency vs. strain made a lot of sense. I now have some ideas on what to grow. Thank you again for the help, been a pretty stressful time for the last few weeks.

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Sorry about your diagnosis. Never fun to hear bad news but at least you already know Mary Jane so you are in a better position then many. Please let us know what works for you as that info may help others. I have glaucoma in my family so I always like to hear new things. Best of luck!!

Eye drops are the most common treatment for glaucoma. Treatment and regular checkups can help slow or prevent vision loss and it should be treated in its early stages. There are several other treatments for glaucoma like laser treatment and surgical treatment. All treatments focus reducing pressure in eyes. I found this article to be the best guide for you : http://seebyiv.com/blog/eye-surgery/guide-glaucoma-treatment/

Thank you Barbara, I'm currently using eye drops. They do help for sure. Smoking cannabis has also been helpful, but I'm finding that edibles don't do much to reduce the pressure. Something about smoking (versus eating) has a pretty immediate effect. I really appreciate all the help and input from this community.

Ra, have you tried Bilberry and nutrient and supplement packages that some of the eye care professionals put together for patients with glaucoma? Please google- Bilberry

Hey !RA!

I suffer from ocular hypertension also, which has not yet progressed to glaucoma, so I have a little bit of experience.

Most of the evidence I have read shows that the cannabinoid effect is transient when it comes to glaucoma, however keep in mind much of the literature on the subject is highly biased.

The pharma drugs that have been developed for high ocular pressure are very effective, so really please don't forgo these treatments and rely on cannabis on it's own, but definitely use cannabis as an adjunct.

If looking for a CBG containing variety, look for either 'trainwreck' or 'green crack', of which typically have about 10% of the total cannabinoid fraction as CBG, the remainder being THC.

Im sure your doc already has you aware, but keep in mind ocular steroids increase eye pressure, so if you are taking them make sure it's under the care of your primary physician and eye specialist.

Wishing you much luck and eye health!
-Chimera

Cannabigerol is found in higher concentrations in hemp rather than in varieties of Cannabis cultivated for high THC.

Well, things have gotten much worse. Normal pressure in the eye is 10-15, my right eye was at 55. Was having bad headaches and some hazy vision episodes, so it's off to the surgeon next Tues. Not looking forward to that at all. Thanks for all the input and help everyone.

Hopefully the surgery helps and you have a speedy recovery!

Stash said:

Ra, have you tried Bilberry and nutrient and supplement packages that some of the eye care professionals put together for patients with glaucoma? Please google- Bilberry

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So I'm about a month past surgery now and doing a lot better. Pressure staying within the normal range now. Still using drops, but no more hazy aura or headaches. Hey, thanks for the tip Stash. Just got some Bilberry and started taking it a few days ago. Seems to be helping with clarity a bit.

Pressure's definitely been staying down now since the surgery, they basically did cataract surgery and put in a thinner lens. The cannabis is helping for sure and I've also added Bilberry to my daily regimen. Clarity is improving. Also made some RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) using Everclear in place of Naptha. Very potent stuff, not sure I can use it daily like he recommends. But overall doing much better. Thanks to everyone who offered advice, it was most helpful and appreciated.