Does Marijuana Help Treat Glaucoma or Other Eye Conditions? January Is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Both supermodel Christie Brinkley and Bono, the lead singer of U2, were diagnosed with glaucoma during routine eye exams. Both were also surprised by the diagnosis since they weren’t experiencing problems with their vision. That’s the sinister nature of glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide: People with glaucoma can lose most of their vision before they experience symptoms. Once vision is lost, it cannot be regained. That’s why Safe Vision Texas and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are urging people over age 40 to get regular eye screenings to protect their good vision.

January is “Glaucoma Awareness Month,” and it’s a great time to review some of the questions surrounding glaucoma:

What Is Glaucoma? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye. That extra fluid increases the pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve. Click the link above for detailed information.

Does Marijuana Help Treat Glaucoma or Other Eye Conditions?

Physicians don’t recommend it. It's not well understood how cannabis affects eye pressure and glaucoma. It's possible that long-term use of cannabis could damage the eyes or worsen vision in some patients.

10 Things Patients Can Do to Prevent Vision Loss from Glaucoma

Patients can do a lot to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. A healthy diet of greens, regular eye exams and wearing polarized sunglasses can help keep blindness at bay. Share these and other tips to help preserve sight.