Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition resulting from an imbalance of Intraoccular pressure (pressure in the eye). Cannabis has been proven to reduce intraoccular (IOP) pressure although the mechanism involved remains unknown. Therefore, it is often suggested that cannabis might be useful for treating people with glaucoma (a common cause of blindness)

A study in Georgia, USA reported a 25% decrease in IOP lasting for up to 4 hours. However, in order to maintain this effect, patients would need to smoke up to 10 joints a day. Calls have since been made for further research to determine the mechanism involved, to see whether the beneficial effects could be dissociated from the intoxication.