Glaucoma Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in South Dakota

Lowering your IOP levels is an effective way to treat and decrease the symptoms of glaucoma as well as prevent vision loss. Depending on the severity of the glaucoma, ophthalmologists or eye physicians may treat it with medicine, such as prescription eye drops, or surgery.

Several clinical research have demonstrated that marijuana, as well as most standard Glaucoma medications, reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). Cannabinoids may be administered orally, intravenously, or by inhalation, but not directly to the eye. Marijuana, THC, and synthetic cannabinoids given orally or in tablet form, as well as intravenous injections of numerous natural cannabinoids, have all been demonstrated to significantly lower IOP in both glaucoma patients and healthy persons with regular IOP. In the majority of trials, a single dosage of marijuana or cannabinoid maintained this effect for three to four hours.

Cannabis has a wide range of applications for treating glaucoma symptoms.

Those suffering with Glaucoma choose to use cannabis with a greater CBD concentration in order to benefit from decreased inflammation, pressure, and pain reduction without experiencing the psychoactive effects or ‘high’ sensation associated with higher THC percentages in cannabis.