Did you know that a large number of serious
vision-related disorders go undiagnosed each year? This largely has to do with the fact that
many people attribute poor vision to age, meaning that they ignore the signs that
something is seriously wrong. Yes, it’s
true that we do experience a decrease in our vision as we get older. However, there are certain eye-related
illnesses that can be treated if a person simply goes to an eye doctor.
One of the most common vision-related disorders is
glaucoma. This condition can lead to
permanent blindness if it’s not treated, which means that knowing the warning
signs is key. And, new evidence suggests
that CBD, the plant compound that comes from hemp, might be able to help a person
both prevent and treat this disorder from occurring.
If you’re the type of person who likes to take their
health into their own hands, this article is for you. We’ll be diving deep into the research that
suggests a strong link between CBD consumption and healthy vision.
What
is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an illness that directly affects a
person’s vision. It results from an
accumulation of pressure inside the eye, which is referred to as intraocular
pressure. As more pressure builds up,
the optic nerve becomes more and more damaged, meaning that the person’s
eyesight will slowly deteriorate as a result because of the fact that the optic
nerve is what’s responsible for a person’s ability to perceive images.
Glaucoma can affect people of any age, but it most
often affects those above the age of 40.
It’s widely believed to be a hereditary condition, but it can be caused
by an eye infection or a traumatic injury to the eyeball. And, certain underlying conditions like
diabetes can make a person more likely to develop glaucoma.
What makes glaucoma particularly dangerous is the fact
that it’s extremely difficult for the sufferer to detect until it’s too
late. The loss of vision is extremely
gradual, and, as we stated earlier, frequently attributed to age. Besides a loss of vision, symptoms include
eye pain and the appearance of halos in one’s line of sight. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of
these symptoms, it’s very important that you see an eye doctor immediately. If glaucoma runs in your family, it’s
suggested that you see an eye doctor at least once each year for a checkup.
How
Glaucoma and Similar Disorders are Often Treated
Glaucoma is more easily treatable the earlier it’s
detected. After a certain point,
permanent blindness is inevitable, which is why it’s so important that you try
to treat it as early as possible. It’s
relatively easy to diagnose, which means that your doctor will have treatment
options available very early on after your initial visit.
Typically, early stages of glaucoma are treated with
special eyedrops that relieve the pressure that has built up in the eye. However, later stages may require certain
types of surgery, often involving a laser.
The
Relationship Between the Endocannabinoid System and Your Vision
Many people are unaware of the way in which CBD
interacts with the human body. It all
has to do with the endocannabinoid system which was only discovered in the
1990s. This bodily system is responsible
for homeostasis, the state in which all of the body’s many processes are
operating in a balanced and regulated way.
Homeostasis is essentially the clinical term for optimal health.
The endocannabinoid system regulates these bodily
processes by building cannabinoids that are then sent off to bond with
cannabinoid receptors throughout our bodies.
These receptors need these cannabinoids in order to create chemical
reactions that lead to regulation.
Cannabinoid receptors exist along our brains, nervous systems and
digestive tracts. The endocannabinoid
system, therefore, can regulate everything from inflammation levels to
mood. And, it has a lot to do with the
health of our neurological system.
The problem is that many of us are deficient in
cannabinoids. However, CBD supplements
the body’s resources so that the endocannabinoid system has what it needs to do
its very important job.
Many experts believe that the health of our
neurological system has a lot to do with how much we’re at risk of developing
glaucoma. This is because the
neurological pathways can dictate the function of the eyes, including
intraocular pressure. CBD has been found
to possess neuroprotectant properties, meaning that it can
actually strengthen the neuropathways in order to improve overall neurological
health. CBD’s neuroprotectant properties
are so widely studied that the FDA has approved a CBD-based drug that treats
pediatric epilepsy.
Studies
on CBD and Vision
CBD has been linked to improved vision through various
clinical studies. Most famously, a study
found that Moroccan natives experienced improved night vision as well as
improved vision overall after consuming CBD regularly.
The
Case for No THC
We suggest that if you use cannabis to treat a
vision-related problem, you stick with CBD that contains no THC. That’s because some evidence suggests that
THC can aggravate existing vision problems.
A
Clearer Way to See with CBD
CBD just may have what it takes to treat glaucoma and
other vision-related illnesses. If you
want to consider taking this supplement to improve your vision, speak with your
doctor and make sure you go with a trusted brand. Don’t forget to stick with a THC-free product
for the best results.
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