By Luke Sumpter


Glaucoma—this pathology of the eyes results in a battery of symptoms, including gradual vision loss. Researchers aren’t completely sure what causes the condition, and conventional treatments only serve to slow the progression down. Now, researchers are probing cannabis in search of phytochemicals that might help.

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is caused by a group of diseases that result in degeneration of the optic nerve—a branch of the central nervous system that transmits electrical impulses from the eyes to the brain. Glaucoma ranks as the second leading cause of blindness across the world and can affect individuals from all age groups, although people over 60 are at a higher risk of developing the condition. Currently, over 70 million[1] people worldwide are thought to have glaucoma. Because the symptoms can remain elusive, only 10–50% of this population know about their condition.

To fully understand glaucoma, it helps to know about the key components and systems of the eyes that are implicated in the condition. Learn more about them below:

Parts of the eye

Retina: Located close to the optic nerve at the back of the eye, this layer of tissue features photoreceptors in the form of cones and rods that convert light into electrical signals.

Retinal ganglion cells: These neurons make up the optic nerve. Collectively, they transmit visual information from the retina and deliver it to specific regions of the brain.

Aqueous humour: This clear fluid contains small quantities of protein and glucose and higher concentrations of lactic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). First produced in a muscular tissue known as the ciliary body, aqueous humour flows through chambers in the eye where it distributes these nutrients alongside oxygen.

Trabecular meshwork: Located towards the front of the eye, this porous tissue facilitates the drainage of aqueous humour from the eyes and, in doing so, helps to regulate pressure within the eye (also known as intraocular pressure).

Iris: The coloured part of the eye (some of us have green iris, some blue or brown or other colours). This structure in the eye helps to regulate the amount of light that gets through by opening and closing the pupil based on light intensity.

Cornea: As the outermost lens of the eyes, the cornea plays a protective role. It also refracts light and focuses light onto the retina.

Posterior chamber: Following production in the ciliary body, aqueous humour flows through this open space between the pupil and the iris.

Anterior chamber: After passing through the pupil, aqueous humour flows through this space, between the iris and the cornea, and out towards the trabecular meshwork.

Now that you’re familiar with some key components of eye anatomy, let’s take a look at two of the major types of glaucoma and how they affect vision.

How Glaucoma Affects Vision

So, how exactly does glaucoma affect vision? Well, it has a lot to do with intraocular pressure (IOP) and resulting ocular nerve damage due to obstructions in aqueous humour flow. Below, we’re going to look at two of the primary forms of glaucoma and how they result in nerve damage and eventual vision loss. The exact cause of both types of glaucoma remains unknown. However, researchers have found that the buildup of IOP occurs due to the narrowing of either the anterior or posterior chambers.

  • Primary open-angle glaucoma: This type of glaucoma results in the collapse of the iris into the posterior chamber. This reduces the flow of aqueous humour through the pupil, causing a backflow that leads to an increase in IOP. Part of the iris also collapses forward, blocking aqueous humour flow from reaching the trabecular meshwork. Subsequently, this causes mechanical stress on structures towards the back of the eye, resulting in compression, deformation, and disrupted nervous system firing. This blockage also prevents the delivery of trophic factors to the retinal ganglion cells—substances that support nerve cell health—and results in neurodegeneration. Interestingly, some patients with high IOP don’t develop other symptoms of glaucoma.
  • Primary closed-angle glaucoma: This form of glaucoma occurs due to increased resistance of the trabecular meshwork draining aqueous humour from the anterior chamber. While aqueous humour manages to flow unobstructed through the pupil, the outflow through the trabecular meshwork is reduced, leading to an increase in IOP.

Symptoms of Glaucoma

These contributing mechanisms of glaucoma result in an array of symptoms, including:

Severe eye pain

Nausea and vomiting

Headache

Red eyes

Tender eyes

Seeing rings around lights

Blurred vision

Vision loss

Conventional Treatments and Risk Factors

Various risk factors contribute to the odds of somebody developing glaucoma. These include:

  • Being over age 60
  • Being of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • Medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure
  • Having thin corneas
  • Eye injuries

While no cure currently exists, several conventional treatment options are available for glaucoma patients aimed at producing an IOP lowering effect and slowing the progression of vision loss. These include:

  • Eye drop medications including prostaglandins, beta-blockers, and alpha-adrenergic agonists
  • Oral medications such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
  • Surgery and therapies including laser therapy, filtering surgery, drainage tubes, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)

Eye drop medications

Cannabis and Glaucoma

So, where does cannabis come into all of this? Researchers are currently exploring if compounds found within the cannabis plant can reduce IOP and protect the optic nerve from damage. To understand how the herb might produce these effects, we need to look at the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and how this regulatory network operates in the eye. After covering the role of the ECS, we’ll go over the available research regarding several cannabis compounds and glaucoma.

Weed for Glaucoma: The Endocannabinoid System of the Eye

Have you heard of the ECS? Researchers discovered the first components of this system back in 1988 and they’re still discovering new aspects of it today. To put it simply, the ECS serves as the universal regulator of the human body. It shows up in the brain, skin, immune system, metabolic processes, bones, connective tissue, and muscle. Across the body, it works to maintain biological balance or homeostasis. It keeps things running smoothly and, in doing so, keeps us alive and well.

The ECS comprises two primary receptors known as CB1 and CB2. It also features two key signalling molecules (anandamide and 2-AG), known as endocannabinoids, that bind to these receptors to make the necessary changes within target cells. The third key component, a group of specialised enzymes, build and breakdown these endocannabinoids. However, these parts only make up the classical ECS. Researchers have since expanded this system into the endocannabinoidome (eCBome) which features many more receptors, signalling molecules, and enzymes.

Now comes the astonishing part. The cannabis plant produces a set of chemicals known as phytocannabinoids. Among this group are THC, CBD, CBC, CBG, and others (although the plant makes their acidic precursors; these compounds are mostly produced post-harvest when exposed to heat). Interestingly, several of these compounds, including THC, share a common molecular structure with our endocannabinoids. This enables them to latch on to the same receptors and influence our physiology. Other phytocannabinoids, such as CBD, bind to other eCBome sites and also influence ECS enzyme activity. All in all, this means molecules from the cannabis plant have the ability to influence our universal regulator and all of the systems that the ECS holds sway over, including the eyes.

Endocannabinoid Receptors

The ECS appears in most ocular tissues, meaning phytocannabinoids can target the homeostatic apparatus within the eyes. Both anandamide and 2-AG are found throughout the tissues of the eyes[2]; though they don’t show up in the lens. But these signalling molecules aren’t alone. They’re accompanied by CB1 receptors that are expressed in the ciliary body[3] (remember this aqueous humour-producing structure from earlier?) and retina, among other locations. Research also suggests that CB2 receptors show up in the retina and front region of the eye. Other eCBome receptors are also present, including transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1), G protein-coupled receptor 18 (GPR18), and possibly GPR55—various phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids bind to these sites. Finally, animal studies have also identified ECS enzymes in eye tissues.

Because the ECS keeps physiological systems in balance, things can quickly go south when it malfunctions. The theory of clinical endocannabinoid deficiency has linked reduced levels of circulating endocannabinoids with pathologies such as migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. However, elevated ECS signalling may also drive states such as obesity[4]. The term “endocannabinoid tone” describes a person’s circulating levels of these signalling molecules. An ideal sweet spot could exist to keep things running smoothly, and this level of tone probably varies between individuals.

Limited research has found that alterations in ECS signalling may contribute to glaucoma and other eye conditions. Levels of anandamide and 2-AG appear elevated in cases of diabetic retinopathy, and anandamide levels above normal levels in the ciliary body, cornea, and retina in age-related macular degeneration. Only one study has looked at endocannabinoid levels regarding glaucoma. This research showed reduced levels of 2-AG and PEA[5] (another endocannabinoid) in the ciliary body. PEA also lacked in the post-mortem eyes of glaucoma patients. Interestingly, THC somewhat mimics anandamide in the body, and CBD acts as the phytocannabinoid equivalent of PEA[6], suggesting these two cannabinoids could step in as exogenous signalling molecules.

So, we know the ECS likely plays a role in the pathology of glaucoma. However, future studies are required to identify how critical the role is, and if cannabinoids sourced from outside the body can help by targeting the receptor sites left inactivated by low levels of endocannabinoids. But what about marijuana for glaucoma? Let’s take a look at the research that has tested several plant-derived cannabinoids in models of glaucoma.

THC and Glaucoma

Every cannabis user knows about THC. Known to science as Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, this molecule underpins the cannabis high through activation of the CB1 receptor in the central nervous system. As a meroterpene, THC is part terpene and part phenol. As well as binding to CB1, this constituent also activates the CB2 receptor.

A review[7] published in the journal Neural Plasticity analised previous research to determine if the ECS could serve as a therapeutic target in cases of glaucoma. Citing a collection of rodent, rabbit, and primate studies, as well as one human study, the authors state that cannabinoids modulate IOP. Ongoing human studies are testing both THC and synthetic cannabinoids in cases of glaucoma to see if these chemicals are able to reduce IOP and the accompanying symptoms of glaucoma.

However, cannabinoids might help beyond simply shifting IOP. Despite drugs that lower IOP, glaucoma patients still experience vision loss. The review points out studies that are seeking to determine the neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids that could, in theory, help to shield the optic nerve. Various studies are looking into the neuroprotective effects of THC, including efforts to pitch the cannabinoid against models of Parkinson’s disease.

CBD and Glaucoma

CBD has risen to fame within the cannabis space in recent years. Occurring as the second-most abundant cannabinoid in the majority of modern varieties, this molecule produces no psychotropic effect. However, breeders have developed strains that contain high levels of CBD and next to no THC. CBD has a low affinity for both the CB1 and CBD 2 receptors. However, it manages to influence ECS enzyme activity and also binds to TRPV-1.

But where does CBD fit into the picture when discussing marijuana for glaucoma? The research above suggests that lowered anandamide levels might play a role in the condition. Interestingly, CBD might help to elevate the levels of this endocannabinoid by temporarily inhibiting the enzymes[8] that break it down.

Despite this promising effect, some research shows less promising outcomes. Several studies show that CBD might raise intraocular pressure[9] and therefore pose a risk for glaucoma patients. However, the evidence remains inconclusive. Ongoing studies are also pitching CBD against models of pain and nausea—two symptoms of glaucoma.

Marijuana for Glaucoma: What About CBG?

Cannabigerol, or CBG comes about following the decarboxylation of CBGA. Many know CBG as the “mother cannabinoid”. However, it’s CBGA that serves as the chemical precursor to other major cannabinoid acids, including THCA and CBGA. Ongoing studies[10] are exploring the potential of CBG against a range of conditions, including neurological disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. The cannabinoid binds to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors[11].

Not much research has put CBG up against models of glaucoma. A study[12] published in 2008 investigated the cannabinoid to see if it influenced intraocular pressure. However, human trials are needed to determine if CBG can help people experiencing the condition.

Cannabis and Glaucoma: How Patients Experiment

There are myriad ways to use cannabis. Whereas smoking cannabis proves one of the most popular ways to use the herb, it involves combusting plant material and generating toxic byproducts. Moreover, an association exists between smoking and glaucoma[13]. So, let’s look at a few other options:

  • Vaping: Vaporisation uses lower temperatures to volatilise cannabinoids and terpenes. While it still poses some health risks, it exposes users to fewer byproducts than smoking. Overall, vaping offers a fast-acting effect and easy dose modulation.
  • Oral: Consuming cannabinoids infused into food and beverages, or administering oral oils, sends these molecules through the digestive tract. Using this way of administration, these chemicals generally have poor bioavailability. However, THC-infused edibles are renowned for their potency, as the liver converts THC into the more potent 11-hydroxy-THC. You should calculate your edible dosage and go low and slow to avoid an unpleasant experience when using ingestible cannabis products.
  • Sublingual: This form of administration involves placing extracts or oils under the tongue to allow cannabinoids to diffuse into the bloodstream. This method bypasses the poor bioavailability of oral cannabis without having to inhale smoke or vapour.

Marijuana and Glaucoma: A Complex Relationship

Does cannabis help glaucoma? We can’t say. Not yet. Further human trials featuring large sample sizes are required to find out if the herb offers a potential solution. So far, THC and CBG have shown some promise in early research. Conversely, CBD appears to raise intraocular pressure. Further studies are required to see if this molecule can offer relief or worsen outcomes. If you’re thinking of trying marijuana for glaucoma, we suggest talking to your medical professional to rule out any drug interactions or health complications.

External Resources:
  1. The Pathophysiology and Treatment of Glaucoma - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. The Endocannabinoid System as a Therapeutic Target in Glaucoma - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. The Endocannabinoid System as a Therapeutic Target in Glaucoma - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Endocannabinoid system and its implications for obesity and cardiometabolic risk | European Heart Journal Supplements | Oxford Academic https://academic.oup.com
  5. The Endocannabinoid System as a Therapeutic Target in Glaucoma - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Endocannabinoid system mediates the association between gut-microbial diversity and anhedonia/amotivation in a general population cohort | Molecular Psychiatry https://www.nature.com
  7. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2016/9364091/
  8. https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/prp2.682
  9. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17469899.2019.1698947
  10. The Pharmacological Case for Cannabigerol | Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics https://jpet.aspetjournals.org
  11. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cannabigerol
  12. [Possibilities of applying cannabinoids' in the treatment of glaucoma] - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  13. Smoking and incidence of glaucoma - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: