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Educate glaucoma patients on efficacy, adverse effects of marijuana
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Researchers highlight the need for more education on the use of marijuana in treating glaucoma in a study from JAMA Ophthalmology.
Belyea and colleagues surveyed 137 patients diagnosed with glaucoma and 67 suspected of having glaucoma. Patients were between 23 and 87 years old, half were women, about 40% were Caucasian and nearly 70% had at least a college degree.
A total of 122 participants reported knowing about the possible use of marijuana to treat glaucoma, according to the study. Half of the participants reported recreational use of marijuana in the past, along with 4.4% reporting its use for glaucoma specifically. A majority of participants, 76.1%, reported that the last time they smoked was more than 3 years prior.
False beliefs about the role of marijuana in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma were rare, according to researchers.
Participants were mostly satisfied with their current glaucoma management and reported low levels of concern on treatment costs.
“Intentions to use marijuana were not based on severity of disease but on false beliefs about the role of marijuana in the prevention and treatment of glaucoma, perceptions that marijuana should be legal, lower perceptions of the relevance of costs of treatment and lower satisfaction with current glaucoma management,” the researchers concluded. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.Perspective
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Blair Lonsberry, OD, FAAO, OD, FAAO
Legalized medical marijuana exists in 23 states and the District of Columbia. As more states legalize medical/recreational marijuana, the question that eye care professionals (ECPs) have to answer is whether their patients can use this as a form of glaucoma treatment.
Marijuana has been shown to lower intraocular pressure, but its effects are limited to 3 to 4 hours. This would require dosing eight to ten times per day for sustained therapeutic effect. Additionally, only 60% to 65% of individuals experience IOP reduction with the use of marijuana.
The purpose of this study was to identify factors among patients with glaucoma that could lead to intentions to use marijuana for treatment. One of the main outcomes of this study was the false perception that marijuana is effective in treating glaucoma. With increased legalization of medical marijuana, ECPs must be prepared to answer questions about this issue and inform patients that there is little evidence to justify widespread use of marijuana as an effective glaucoma treatment.
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