A cataract is a dense, cloudy area that forms in the lens of the eye. Cataracts make it hard for light to pass through the lens of the eye causing blurry vision. A cataract begins to develop when proteins in the eye form clumps that prevent the lens from sending clear images to the retina.1 It is possible to develop cataracts in both eyes, although they usually don’t form at the same time.
Cataracts are prevalent amongst older people, with half of all Americans age 80 or older having cataracts or having had surgery to get rid of them. The disease is responsible for 51% of global blindness in over 20 million people.2
What Causes Cataracts?
Most cataracts are naturally caused by aging. However, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI), there are a number of other causes3 that make cataracts more likely to develop, such as:
- Smoking
- Drining too much alcohol
- Family history of cataracts
- Diabetes
- Having had certain eye surgeries, like glaucoma surgery
- Taking steroids (medicines used to treat a variety of health problems, like arthritis or allergies) for a long time
- Trauma to the eye
- Radiation therapy
Cataracts don’t typically hurt, but can cause discomfort by making your eyes more sensitive to light.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts?
According to the NEI, it may be difficult to notice any symptoms early on. As cataracts grow, there are more noticeable symptoms such as:
- Your vision is cloudy or blurry
- Colors look faded
- You can’t see well at night
- Lamps, sunlight, or headlights seem too bright
- You see a halo around lights
- You see double (this sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger)
- You have to change the prescription for your glasses often
These symptoms can be a sign of other eye problems, too. The NEI recommends talking to your eye doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. Your doctor can run through eye tests to check your vision and measure your eye pressure using tonometry tests.4
The most common tonometry test involves the doctor blowing a painless puff of air to flatten your cornea or gently touching your eye with a special tool. Your doctor will also put drops in your eyes to make your pupils bigger. This makes it easier to check the optic nerve and retina at the back of your eye for damage.
Can Cannabis Help Treat Cataracts?
As of now there is no data that shows marijuana can help prevent, treat or cure cataracts. Some recent research actually shows that smoking weed can have the opposite effect. And both the NEI and WHO recommend quitting smoking to reduce the risk of cataracts.
According to a report published by the National Library of Medicine, smoking marijuana leads to developing cataracts 4-5 years earlier than on average, though the study notes that “further studies are warranted.”5
With the news that inhaling cannabis can increase the risk of cataracts, people might wonder if there are other ways to treat cataracts with cannabis, such as CBD oil eyedrops (CBD is a component of cannabis that does not get you high).
In a study done in mice by researchers in Indiana, eye drops mixed with CBD oil raised pressure inside the eyes by 18% for at least four hours after the drops were instilled. An increase in pressure can lead to glaucoma, cataracts or other vision problems. However, when the researchers used THC mixed with eyedrops, they found that eye pressure decreased by up to 30% within eight hours.
While this suggests a need for additional research, the American Academy of Opthalmology (AAO) currently discourages using THC eyedrops as a practical treatment for eye conditions.6 To reduce eye pressure in a noticeable way and maintain that reduction, you would have to ingest about 18 to 20 mg of THC six to eight times a day, every day.
Ingesting such a large amount of cannabis would likely be too much for many consumers and could affect their ability to drive, operate machinery or engage in many daily activities.
Current Treatments for Cataracts
As of 2023, surgery is the only way to get rid of cataracts. There are ways, however, to manage cataracts. The NEI recommends using brighter lights at home or work, wearing anti-glare sunglasses and using magnifying lenses for reading and other activities. Getting a new prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses can also help you see better with cataracts early on.
There are currently two types of surgeries7 to remove cataracts from the eye. Phacoemulsification involves the use of ultrasound waves to break the cloudy area in the lens apart and remove the pieces. Another method, extracapsular surgery, involves removing the cloudy part of the lens through a long incision in the cornea. After surgery, an artificial intraocular lens is placed where the natural lens was.
Cataract removal surgeries are generally very safe and have a high success rate. Some of the risks of cataract surgery include infection, bleeding, and retinal detachment, though incidences of all those complications are less than 1%. Most people can go home the same day as their surgery.
After surgery, your doctor will give you eye drops to help your eye heal. You may need to wear a special eye shield or glasses and avoid some activities for a few weeks, like touching your eye, bending over, or lifting heavy things. Your eye may feel a bit itchy or uncomfortable and sensitive to light and touch. After 1 or 2 days, your eye should feel better.
There are certain things doctors recommend doing to prevent cataracts from forming:
- Protect your eyes from UVB rays by wearing sunglasses outside
- Have regular eye exams
- Eat fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Keep diabetes and other medical conditions in check
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers gastritis 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 gastritis 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 22 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.
Sources:
1. Delgado, Amanda. “Cataract.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 16 Aug. 2012, www.healthline.com/health/cataract.
2. World Health Organization. “Blindness and Vision Impairment.” Who.int, World Health Organization: WHO, 13 Oct. 2022, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment.
3. “Cataracts | National Eye Institute.” Www.nei.nih.gov, 21 Apr. 2022, www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts#:~:text=A%20cataract%20is%20a%20cloudy.
4. “Get a Dilated Eye Exam | National Eye Institute.” Www.nei.nih.gov, www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/get-dilated-eye-exam#:~:text=A%20tonometry%20test%20to%20measure. Accessed 30 Dec. 2022.
5. Lehrer, S., and P. H. Rheinstein. “Marijuana Smoking and Cataract.” Journal Francais D’ophtalmologie, vol. 45, no. 3, 1 Mar. 2022, pp. 267–271, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35093261/, 10.1016/j.jfo.2021.12.008. Accessed 5 Nov. 2022.
6. Turbert, David. “Does Marijuana Help Treat Glaucoma or Other Eye Conditions?” American Academy of Ophthalmology, 7 Feb. 2019, www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/medical-marijuana-glaucoma-treament.
7. “Cataract: Types, Causes and Risk Factors.” Healthline, 16 Aug. 2012, www.healthline.com/health/cataract#treatments.
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.
