Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma – Hit or Myth? - A Review

Introduction: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) that damages the optic nerve. Current treatments mainly focus on reducing IOP, but some patients do not respond adequately to conventional therapies. Cannabinoids, particularly...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Julia Górny, Alicja Kapciak, Tomasz Forenc, Jonasz Jurek, Aleksandra Pelczarska, Jaromir Hunia, Marcin Komorowski, Rafał Kaczorowski, Michał Janiszewski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2024-11-01
Series:Quality in Sport
Subjects:
Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56053
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849221269550006272
author Julia Górny
Alicja Kapciak
Tomasz Forenc
Jonasz Jurek
Aleksandra Pelczarska
Jaromir Hunia
Marcin Komorowski
Rafał Kaczorowski
Michał Janiszewski
author_facet Julia Górny
Alicja Kapciak
Tomasz Forenc
Jonasz Jurek
Aleksandra Pelczarska
Jaromir Hunia
Marcin Komorowski
Rafał Kaczorowski
Michał Janiszewski
author_sort Julia Górny
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) that damages the optic nerve. Current treatments mainly focus on reducing IOP, but some patients do not respond adequately to conventional therapies. Cannabinoids, particularly Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), have been investigated as potential adjunctive treatments for glaucoma. Studies have shown varying effects of cannabinoids on IOP regulation, though their precise mechanisms remain unclear. Aim of Study: This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of glaucoma by examining their effects on IOP, their mechanisms of action, and the risks and benefits associated with their use. Material and methods: A comprehensive literature review of studies on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in glaucoma was conducted using the PubMed database. Results and Conclusions: Cannabinoids, especially Δ9-THC, have demonstrated the ability to reduce IOP in both healthy individuals and glaucoma patients. However, the effect is typically short-lived, lasting only 3-4 hours. The efficacy of cannabinoids in reducing IOP is influenced by the method of administration (oral, intravenous, inhalation) and the delivery system used for topical application. Despite some promising results, the use of cannabinoids as a mainstream glaucoma treatment is limited by factors such as the short duration of action, the potential for addiction, and the occurrence of adverse effects like tachycardia, hypotension, and cognitive impairment. Although cannabinoids offer a unique approach to glaucoma management, further research is necessary to address these limitations and determine their long-term therapeutic viability.
format Article
id doaj-art-06fe1ecb129e4302a13a91e02f46f3c9
institution Kabale University
issn 2450-3118
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
record_format Article
series Quality in Sport
spelling doaj-art-06fe1ecb129e4302a13a91e02f46f3c92024-11-17T08:08:41ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182024-11-013210.12775/QS.2024.32.56053Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma – Hit or Myth? - A ReviewJulia Górny0Alicja Kapciak1Tomasz Forenc2Jonasz Jurek 3Aleksandra Pelczarska4Jaromir Hunia5Marcin Komorowski6Rafał Kaczorowski7Michał Janiszewski8Mazovian "Bródnowski" Hospital, Ludwika Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warsaw, PolandNational Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandNational Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, PolandMedical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandNational Medical Institute of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, PolandMiędzylesie Specialist Hospital, Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, PolandMazovian "Bródnowski" Hospital, Ludwika Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warsaw, PolandMazovian "Bródnowski" Hospital, Ludwika Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warsaw, Poland Introduction: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) that damages the optic nerve. Current treatments mainly focus on reducing IOP, but some patients do not respond adequately to conventional therapies. Cannabinoids, particularly Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), have been investigated as potential adjunctive treatments for glaucoma. Studies have shown varying effects of cannabinoids on IOP regulation, though their precise mechanisms remain unclear. Aim of Study: This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of glaucoma by examining their effects on IOP, their mechanisms of action, and the risks and benefits associated with their use. Material and methods: A comprehensive literature review of studies on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in glaucoma was conducted using the PubMed database. Results and Conclusions: Cannabinoids, especially Δ9-THC, have demonstrated the ability to reduce IOP in both healthy individuals and glaucoma patients. However, the effect is typically short-lived, lasting only 3-4 hours. The efficacy of cannabinoids in reducing IOP is influenced by the method of administration (oral, intravenous, inhalation) and the delivery system used for topical application. Despite some promising results, the use of cannabinoids as a mainstream glaucoma treatment is limited by factors such as the short duration of action, the potential for addiction, and the occurrence of adverse effects like tachycardia, hypotension, and cognitive impairment. Although cannabinoids offer a unique approach to glaucoma management, further research is necessary to address these limitations and determine their long-term therapeutic viability. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56053glaucomacannabinoidscannabinoid receptorsintraocular pressure
spellingShingle Julia Górny
Alicja Kapciak
Tomasz Forenc
Jonasz Jurek
Aleksandra Pelczarska
Jaromir Hunia
Marcin Komorowski
Rafał Kaczorowski
Michał Janiszewski
Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma – Hit or Myth? - A Review
Quality in Sport
glaucoma
cannabinoids
cannabinoid receptors
intraocular pressure
title Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma – Hit or Myth? - A Review
title_full Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma – Hit or Myth? - A Review
title_fullStr Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma – Hit or Myth? - A Review
title_full_unstemmed Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma – Hit or Myth? - A Review
title_short Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma – Hit or Myth? - A Review
title_sort therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in glaucoma hit or myth a review
topic glaucoma
cannabinoids
cannabinoid receptors
intraocular pressure
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56053
work_keys_str_mv AT juliagorny therapeuticpotentialofcannabinoidsinglaucomahitormythareview
AT alicjakapciak therapeuticpotentialofcannabinoidsinglaucomahitormythareview
AT tomaszforenc therapeuticpotentialofcannabinoidsinglaucomahitormythareview
AT jonaszjurek therapeuticpotentialofcannabinoidsinglaucomahitormythareview
AT aleksandrapelczarska therapeuticpotentialofcannabinoidsinglaucomahitormythareview
AT jaromirhunia therapeuticpotentialofcannabinoidsinglaucomahitormythareview
AT marcinkomorowski therapeuticpotentialofcannabinoidsinglaucomahitormythareview
AT rafałkaczorowski therapeuticpotentialofcannabinoidsinglaucomahitormythareview
AT michałjaniszewski therapeuticpotentialofcannabinoidsinglaucomahitormythareview