Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an eye disease affecting older adults. With AMD, the part of the retina that controls sharp, central vision - called the macula - becomes damaged. While total blindness with AMD is uncommon, this damage causes blurry vision, loss of detail, and lessened ability to perform daily tasks.
Ancient Greek physicians studied the anatomy of the eye as early as 400 BC, but it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that the first reports of AMD emerged. It took 150 more years for researchers to understand AMD and its different stages more clearly.1
AMD is a leading cause of vision loss for older adults. It affects over 19.8 million people in the United States. AMD has no early-stage symptoms and progresses at different speeds in everyone, making it essential for those at risk to get tested.
Scientists continue to study possible causes of AMD and potential treatments for its different types and stages. A recent clinical trial was started at the National Institute of Health using patient-derived stem cells to treat dry AMD, a type of age-related macular degeneration with no current treatment option.2
What Causes AMD?
There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. Dry AMD, the most common type, has a gradual onset and no known cause or treatment, although scientists think that genetics and environment have an impact. Wet AMD is caused by abnormal blood vessels underneath the retina leaking fluid and blood, which damages the macula.
Risk factors that contribute to AMD are:
- Having a family history of AMD
- Being over age 50-55
- Being Caucasian
- Unhealthy lifestyle choices, like smoking or a diet high in saturated fat
AMD Signs & Symptoms
If you are experiencing age-related macular degeneration, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Blurry vision, dark spots or blind spots in the center of vision
- Decreased visibility in low lighting
- Loss of ability to see detail when looking straight ahead
- Seeing straight lines that appear wavy
- Colors appear less vibrant
- Loss of central vision which hampers the ability to recognize faces, drive, or do other detailed, close-up work
- Visible deposits of drusen in the retina recognized by an eye doctor during an eye exam
These are common symptoms, but they can vary among patients with AMD and may seem like other types of eye conditions.
Dry AMD happens in three stages and can become wet AMD at any time, while wet AMD is progressive and always late stage:
- Early Dry AMD has no symptoms: the macula thins during aging.
- Intermediate dry AMD often presents with mild to no symptoms. Some patients may experience blurry vision or less visibility in dark places.
- Late AMD can be wet or dry and often is determined when the patient sees straight lines that appear wavy. Blurry or blank spots grow more prominent, there is less ability to see in dark places, and less vibrant colors are noticed.
How Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Risks and Symptoms of AMD
Because patients with glaucoma often use medical marijuana, it has also been looked at for age-related macular degeneration. There have been no specific clinical studies on cannabis for reversing age-related macular degeneration, and existing research into its potential benefits is promising but inconclusive.
A 2022 study looked at adults with AMD and found that those who used marijuana the most had a significantly reduced risk of developing AMD compared to adults with no prior use. Those who used cannabis daily had less risk than monthly users but were younger on average when they developed AMD. Researchers theorize this is because of marijuana’s anti-inflammatory effects. Because this study only analyzed past data, its results are not definitive.3
Wet AMD is often treated with anti-vascular-endothelial-growth-factor (VEGF) medicine because a high level of VEGF is linked to the growth of the abnormal blood vessels that can cause it. A 2004 study on cancer in mice found that cannabinoids interfere with VEGF, which may translate to human cells.4 A 2012 study found that CBD inhibits angiogenesis, or the growth of new blood vessels, on human tumors, and endothelial cell results show promise for CBD’s ability to slow down the onset of wet AMD.
A 2020 study showed that inflammation plays an important role in the development of AMD.5 Scientists have found that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory abilities, so they may have the potential to be used for conditions that involve the immune system and inflammatory response.6
Cannabis use may be linked to a lower risk of AMD because of its ability to regulate inflammation in the body, but more conclusive results are needed. Marijuana’s apparent ability to slow the growth of blood vessels could potentially slow down wet AMD, but this same factor could also contribute to an earlier onset of dry AMD.
Another issue gaining recognition in the medical community is that older adults with AMD may develop depression and anxiety, most likely due to the loss of physical function affecting their mental health. A study published in 2020 found that 7.2% of adults with AMD have depression, and 4.2% have anxiety.7
Marijuana, most notably the cannabinoid CBD, has been explored for its use for depression and anxiety. Low doses of THC also appear to be able to reduce anxiety, although, at higher doses, it can cause it.8 Because AMD has no treatment options for most who suffer from it, prioritizing mental health is important, and cannabis may help.
Always let your doctor know about your cannabis usage. There are risks involved with using cannabis. It is vital to consult with your healthcare provider to check for any drug interactions that may happen if you are taking medication for AMD, depression, or anxiety. Psychoactive effects from marijuana combined with decreased vision could lead to injury.
AMD is best managed with a healthy lifestyle, so CBD-rich medical marijuana products like tinctures, capsules, teas, and low-sodium edibles are better choices than smoking cannabis. The effects of cannabis for anxiety are often dose-dependent, so if you’re using THC, make sure to take it in low doses or use products with a higher ratio of CBD to THC.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to register for your state’s medical marijuana program.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 23 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Does CBD help with age-related macular degeneration?
There have been no studies specifically on CBD for AMD, but the results of a study on mice suggest there will be additional research. CBD may also benefit those experiencing depression or anxiety along with AMD. Make sure to let your doctor know before adding cannabis to your routine.
Can edibles affect your eyes when experiencing age-related macular degeneration?
There is no evidence proving any benefits of cannabis for AMD, but it may help with side effects like depression and anxiety. If consumed responsibly, edibles can be a consistent and easy way to use cannabis. Make sure to choose CBD-rich edibles low in sodium and sugar. If experiencing anxiety, stick to products that have little or no THC.
Can THC or CBD cause blurry vision with AMD?
Blurry vision when experiencing AMD is caused by damage to the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. If using cannabis with AMD, it is possible that the psychoactive effects of smoking or using other THC products could lead to vision changes or disorientation. Make sure to use caution, as this could lead to injury.
Does smoking weed affect age-related macular degeneration?
There have been no definitive studies proving that smoking marijuana has a positive or a negative effect on AMD. A 2022 study found that cannabis users may have a lower risk of developing AMD but an increased risk of developing it at a younger age. At the same time, AMD is best managed with a healthy lifestyle, so it is often best to avoid smoking. Consult with your doctor before smoking cannabis with AMD.
Sources:
1. de Jong PTVM. A Historical Analysis of the Quest for the Origins of Aging Macula Disorder, the Tissues Involved, and Its Terminology. Ophthalmology and Eye Diseases. 2016;81:OED.S40523. doi:https://doi.org/10.4137/oed.s40523
2. National Institutes of Health. First U.S. patient receives autologous stem cell therapy to treat dry AMD. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Published August 31, 2022. Accessed August 17, 2023. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/first-us-patient-receives-autologous-stem-cell-therapy-treat-dry-amd#:~:text=Dry%20AMD%20is%20a%20leading
3. Lehrer S, Rheinstein PH. Cannabis smoking and age-related macular degeneration in the UK Biobank cohort. Journal Français d’Ophtalmologie. Published online June 2022. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfo.2022.01.004
4. Blázquez C, González-Feria L, Álvarez L, Haro A, Casanova ML, Guzmán M. Cannabinoids Inhibit the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Pathway in Gliomas. Cancer Research. 2004;64(16):5617-5623. doi:https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-03-3927
5. Tan W, Zou J, Yoshida S, Jiang B, Zhou Y. The Role of Inflammation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. International Journal of Biological Sciences. 2020;16(15):2989-3001. doi:https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.49890
6. Nagarkatti P, Pandey R, Rieder SA, Hegde VL, Nagarkatti M. Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs. Future Medicinal Chemistry. 2009;1(7):1333-1349. doi:https://doi.org/10.4155/fmc.09.93
7. Rezapour J, Schuster AK, Nickels S, et al. Prevalence and new onset of depression and anxiety among participants with AMD in a European cohort. Scientific Reports. 2020;10(1):4816. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61706-8
8. Sharpe L, Sinclair J, Kramer A, de Manincor M, Sarris J. Cannabis, a cause for anxiety? A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties. J Transl Med. 2020;18(1):374. Published 2020 Oct 2. doi:10.1186/s12967-020-02518-2
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
