Aug 02, 2023

Edibles for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 years of age. Read to learn about edibles for glaucoma and how cannabis helps treat the disease.

Edibles for Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious condition that typically affects seniors. It is imperative that the condition is discovered and treated promptly in order to avoid blindness. Glaucoma continually damages the eye’s optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.

Pressure inside the eye builds. This is known as intraocular pressure (IOP). The pressure damages the optic nerve and can cause vision loss or total blindness. This can happen in just a few years without treatment. However, edibles for glaucoma provide an effective way of preventing and treating this disease.

In this article, we will explain the symptoms of glaucoma. Next, we will list and detail ways to prevent it. Then, we will explore how edibles for glaucoma help treat the disease.

Symptoms

Many forms of glaucoma have no symptoms. As a result, some people only notice they have glaucoma when it is advanced and difficult to treat. Other people experience side effects. According to Mayo Clinic, they can include:

Tunnel vision
Patchy blind spots
Eye pain
Nausea
Eye redness
Halos around lights
Migraines
Blurred vision

These side effects should not be ignored. It is vital to seek treatment if you have any of these symptoms to avoid progression and blindness. Also, if you experience a severe headache, eye pain, and blurred vision, please go to the emergency room or eye doctor. It could be acute angle-closure glaucoma, which is a medical emergency.

Prevention

Glaucoma affects approximately 3 million Americans. Therefore, it’s important to know prevention tips. They will help you detect glaucoma earlier, slow its progress, and prevent vision loss. Here are prevention tips for glaucoma:

Get regular eye examinations.

Regular eye exams, including dilated eye exams, help detect glaucoma earlier. Typically, people under 40 should get one every 5-10 years. Those that are 40-54 years old should have one every 2-4 years. People 55-64 years old should have one every 1-3 years, and those 65 years or older should get one every year.

Know your family’s history.

Since glaucoma tends to be hereditary, knowing your family history is important. Those with a family history of glaucoma should get more frequent eye exams.

Exercise frequently

Regular exercise can help prevent the disease by reducing eye pressure.

Use eye protection

Protect your eyes when playing sports or using power tools, as injuries can also cause glaucoma

Benefits of Cannabis for Glaucoma

Cannabis can prevent and treat glaucoma in several ways. Firstly, several clinical studies confirmed that cannabis with THC reduces eye pressure (IOP). Studies show inhaling it can reduce eye pressure as well as conventional glaucoma medications (Mack). The relief, when inhaled, lasted between 3-4 hours. Studies found that most ways of consuming cannabis were beneficial. However, edibles for glaucoma provide longer-lasting relief, typically between 6-8 hours.

Similarly, cannabis has therapeutic neuroprotective qualities. These help prevent glaucoma by protecting the eye (Aberdeen). Cannabis provides an alternative and natural way to treat and prevent glaucoma.

Edibles for Glaucoma

cannabis edible for glaucoma

Edibles are the best way to use cannabis for treating or preventing glaucoma. They last much longer than other ways of consuming cannabis, and can be used discreetly. Here we’ll provide information about edibles and how to choose between products.

Types of Edibles

There are a huge array of edible products available. Common examples of edibles include gummies, mints, cookies, and drinks. There are benefits to each type. The effects start sooner in some and last longer in others.

How to Choose Edibles

The fastest-acting edibles are dissolved in the mouth. Examples of those products include lozenges, tinctures, sprays, and gum. This type of edible lasts for about 2-3 hours.

The second fastest-acting type of edible includes partial absorption by mouth. Some of these products include hard candy, ice cream, infused drinks, and gummies. People usually feel the effects in as little as 30 minutes. In addition, this type lasts longer, between 4-5 hours on average.

The longest-lasting type of edible also takes the most time to offer relief. These items must be processed by the liver and can take between 1-2 hours to experience effects. However, those effects last between 6-8 hours. Typical edibles in this category include chips, snacks, and brownies.

It is up to you to decide which types, or combinations, work best for you.

Regardless of the edible consumed, make sure to follow up with your doctor to make sure the progression of the disease is slowed.

Dosing

For those new to cannabis, it is essential to know how to dose edibles. The best edibles for this disease will include THC. You can cook with cannabis or buy cannabis products. Be sure to follow the beginning rules of edibles: dose low and go slow. You can always add more as you build tolerance.

Cannabis consultants at JANE Dispensary are trained to help you make your edibles selections. Please reach out to them if you have any questions.

JANE Dispensary has two beautiful locations, a Cotati Dispensary and a Santa Rosa dispensary in California. We invite you to browse the menu and order from our online dispensary. For information on obtaining medical cards, click here.