Does Glaucoma Qualify for Medical Marijuana in South Carolina?

Glaucoma is more common than most people think. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, 3 million Americans are currently living with glaucoma, yet only 50% of these individuals are aware of the fact that they have this condition. 

 

Under South Carolina's medical marijuana program, glaucoma will be officially approved as a qualifying condition. This is really great news, as evidence has shown that medical marijuana has tremendous potential to offer much-needed relief to individuals living with this condition. 

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How Does Medical Marijuana Help Treat Glaucoma?

Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged in one way or another, often resulting in partial or total blindness.  The optic nerve damage that takes place is usually due to intraocular pressure. Medical marijuana has been demonstrated to effectively reduce intraocular pressure and was thereby deemed an effective treatment to alleviate the symptoms associated with glaucoma.

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Currently, the only way to control glaucoma and prevent vision loss is to lower your IOP levels. Your ophthalmologist can treat glaucoma with medication, such as prescription eye drops, or surgery, depending on the type of glaucoma and how severe it is.

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How Effective Is Marijuana at Treating Glaucoma?

While marijuana is effective at reducing intraocular pressure, it only does so for a short period of time, roughly 4 hours. With that in mind, it would be difficult for patients to stay medicated 24-hours a day, although not impossible!  There are new medical marijuana products that can provide all of the medicinal benefits of the drug, without having to get “high”. These new products make extensive use of the compound found in marijuana known as CBD, which isn’t psychoactive. Without the “high” medical marijuana can be used throughout the day without interfering with your normal daily activities.

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Even though the effects of a single dose may be short-lived, this does not delegitimize marijuana’s effectiveness at improving the quality of life for patients with glaucoma. In addition to providing a nearly instant reduction in intra-ocular pressure, medical marijuana can provide relief from other symptoms of the disease, including:

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1. Nausea

2. Pain

3. Headaches

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Learn More About Medical Marijuana in South Carolina

South Carolina Marijuana Card will have a network of doctor offices throughout the State of South Carolina that specializes in helping qualifying patients access medical marijuana. If you’re interested in discussing whether medical marijuana is right for you, give us a call!  

 

Everyone is different, so medical marijuana might provide significant relief to some people, and not so much for others. However, medical marijuana will be legal soon in South Carolina, so the choice will be up to you! If you want to learn more about how medical marijuana in South Carolina could help patients with glaucoma, please contact us today!