Hi all,

having been diagnosed with Glaucoma in October 2005, I had a regular check up with my consultant. He's one of the good guys - not patronizing, patient.

I said that I'd heard a lot about cannabis and glaucoma, and that got a raised eyebrow. He said that there was some evidence that cannabinoids (he said it perfectly) helped prevent the type of cell death (apostatis ?) which doctors believe is behind glaucoma. However, he stressed (and he seemed alittle regretful) that there had been no clinical tests to prove or disprove it.

He was emphatic that there was some risk to metal health, and said he'd witnessed it when at medical school. But he then went on to say that with *any* medicine there is a risk of "unwanted effects".

He left it by saying there would be more reasons for me (as a glaucoma patient) to try it that to not, but obviously that would be my decision.

It is so shameful that in this day and age, I find encounters like this, where I am treated like an adult, to be the exception rather than the rule .....

He sounded interested! Cannabis use lowers IOP and there is some information available on the budbuddies website

Suggest he tests your IOP and then retests it after you've been outside for a joint, then retest IOP at 15 minute intervals and record

It would be a useful exercise and if you word it correctly to him he will not be breaking the law. I am sure he would be interested (as would I) in the results

The fact that he could answer me immediately, with no hesitation or "ums" and "ers" implies this is not something he is unfamiliar with, HE did caution that any evidence was anecdotal, and unsystematic. And he went on to detail the sorts of studies that would have to be done to get the evidence ... so me and the missis took that as a veiled hint that he would certainly like to have the option to advise/prescribe MJ if the situation warrented it, but couldn't say (the missis has had far more experience of "speaking in riddles" with doctors and consultants who believe MJ is a good medicine, but daren't say).

As I said, he did warn of psychosis, claimed from personal experience. But he also said that *all* medicines can have "bad effects", which I took to be a "if you want to, at least you know the facts."

Which, once again highlights the ludicrous situation prohibition has put us in. *If* MJ were legalized, then he could make some tests to see if I might be at risk from psychosis, and advise accordingly. Because he can't there will be some people who will be affected.

As it is, I smoked recreationaly for years, before teh diagnosis of glaucoma, so I know it should be OK.

Depending how the new eye drops go, and how things pan out (he commented that since glaucoma is a chronic condition, I will be seeing a lot of him), I might suggets a little experiment. It would be personally useful ...

there is anecdotal evidence , but no sciene to back up,

slightly off topic , but diabetes eye jobby, all say slight improveement no change in four years,

must be the cannabis

good luck with the glaucoma, usually pre diposed genetics, so if you have a family history of this condition, compare yours to this, as you will be able to determine wether your the same , worse or improved , keep a diary maybe