Eye disorders and diseases are more than slight vision loss. They may be painful, uncomfortable, and can even change one’s appearance. As a result, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the effects of eye disorders and diseases, and the various treatments that are available to help improve quality of life.

For some time now, medicinal cannabis has been emerging as a potential treatment method for a variety of eye disorders and diseases. While more research is needed in this area, there is promising evidence that suggests cannabinoids can be effective in treating conditions like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and even diabetic retinopathy.

Find out more about eye disorders and diseases in Australia, and potential treatment methods below.

What are Eye Disorders and Diseases?

Eye disorders and diseases refer to any kind of condition or injury that affects the eye. This can include everything from minor vision loss to more serious conditions like glaucoma.

There are many different types of eye disorders and diseases, but some of the more common ones include:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): AMD is a degenerative condition that affects the central part of the retina, known as the macula. This can lead to a loss of central vision
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. This nerve carries information from the eye to the brain, so when it’s damaged, it can lead to vision loss and even blindness
• Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels in the retina. This can also lead to vision loss and blindness
• Cataracts: A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which leads to decreased vision. Cataracts are often age-related, but can also be caused by other factors like trauma or disease

While some eye disorders and diseases are minor and cause only slight vision loss, others can be much more serious. These conditions can vary greatly in terms of severity, and as a result, treatment will also differ. For example, some eye disorders and diseases can be treated with medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes, while others may require more invasive treatments like stem cell therapy.

What are the Common Causes of Eye Disorders and Diseases?

There are many different causes of eye disorders and diseases. Some conditions, like cataracts, are age-related, while others may be caused by underlying health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. In some cases, eye disorders and diseases may be the result of trauma or injury to the eye.

Some of the more common causes and factors which may contribute to the development eye disorders and diseases are:

• Age: As we age, our risk of developing certain eye disorders and diseases increases. This is because our eyesight naturally deteriorates as we get older
• Diabetes: Diabetes is a condition that can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the retina. This can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a serious complication that can cause vision loss or blindness
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to a condition called hypertensive retinopathy. This can also cause vision loss or blindness
• Trauma or injury: A blow to the head or eye can lead to a number of different eye disorders and diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, or even blindness

Diagnosis of eye disorders and diseases requires a comprehensive eye examination. This will usually include a thorough medical history examination, as well as a physical examination of the eyes. In some cases, additional tests may also be required, such as vision testing, visual field testing, or imaging studies.

What are the Symptoms of Eye Disorders and Diseases?

The symptoms of eye disorders and diseases can vary depending on the underlying condition. However, some of the more common symptoms include:

• Blurry vision
• Decreased vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Seeing floaters or flashes of light
• Seeing “halos” around lights
• Eye pain or redness
• Tearing
• Sensitivity to light
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Some eye disorders and diseases may also cause symptoms outside of the eyes, such as dizziness or nausea.

What are Treatments for Eye Disorders and Diseases?

Treatment for eye disorders and diseases will vary depending on the underlying condition. In some cases, treatment may be as simple as wearing glasses or contact lenses. For more serious conditions, however, treatment may be more invasive and may include medication, surgery, or stem cell therapy.

Below is a breakdown of the most common treatments for eye disorders and diseases:

• Wearing glasses or contact lenses: For conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, glasses or contact lenses can help to improve vision
• Medication: Medication may be used to treat a number of different eye disorders and diseases, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy
• Surgery: Surgery may be necessary for some eye disorders and diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. In some cases, surgery may be combined with other treatments like medication or stem cell therapy
• Stem cell therapy: Stem cell therapy is a newer treatment option that is being studied for a number of different eye disorders and diseases. This type of therapy involves injecting healthy stem cells into the eye to help repair or replace damaged tissue

Prevention of eye disorders and diseases is often possible through early detection and treatment. For example, regular comprehensive eye examinations can help to detect conditions like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy in their early stages, when they’re more treatable. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce your risk of developing certain conditions, like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration.

Medicinal Cannabis and Eye Disorders and Diseases

Medicinal cannabis is an emerging treatment option for a number of different eye disorders and diseases.

Medicinal cannabis is made up of the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant. It contains a number of different chemicals, including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is thought to have medicinal properties, while THC is the chemical that produces the “high” associated with cannabis use.

Currently, the exact mechanism of action for medicinal cannabis in the treatment of eye disorders and diseases is not fully understood. However, it is thought to work by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system helps to regulate a variety of functions, including pain, appetite, mood, and memory. By interacting with this system, medicinal cannabis may help to reduce inflammation and pain, as well as improve symptoms of eye disorders and diseases.

According to Glaucoma Australia, medicinal cannabis may be a treatment alternative for glaucoma and hold promise as a pharmacotherapy. This is due to the IOP (intraocular pressure) lowering effects of medicinal cannabis. However, more research is required to confirm the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in the treatment of glaucoma.

FAQs - Medicinal Cannabis for Eye Disorders and Diseases

Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions concerning legal medicinal cannabis products and how they may care for eye disorders and diseases.

Is medicinal cannabis legal in Australia?

Yes. Most medicinal cannabis products are legal in Australia. However, it is tightly regulated and can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor. Prescribing medicinal cannabis is regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which is the Australian government agency responsible for regulating therapeutic goods, including medicinal cannabis.

Medicinal cannabis is legal across all states and territories in Australia, with each state and territory having its own legislation governing the prescribing and dispensing of medicinal cannabis products.

How is medicinal cannabis regulated in Australia

Regulation of medicinal cannabis in Australia is tight. Patients will first need to consult with a medical practitioner who can assess their individual circumstances and determine if medicinal cannabis is an appropriate treatment for their medical conditions. If a specialist doctor determines it may be viable to prescribe medicinal cannabis to their patient, they will apply for a prescription with the TGA.

The TGA will consider factors such as the patient’s medical history, the severity of their condition, and whether other treatment options have been unsuccessful. If the TGA approves the specialist doctor’s application, they will issue a prescription for an appropriate medicinal cannabis product, usually via the Special Access Scheme.

Patients will then need to obtain their medicinal cannabis from a licensed supplier. In Australia, there are only a handful of licensed suppliers that can access medicinal cannabis products. These products must be imported from overseas, as cultivation of cannabis is illegal in Australia.

What are three types of eye problems?

The three main types of eye problems are refractive errors, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.

Refractive errors are the most common type of eye problem, and include conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Refractive errors occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from being focused properly on the retina, resulting in blurred vision.

Cataracts are a condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, resulting in blurred vision. Cataracts usually develop gradually and can eventually lead to complete blindness if left untreated.

Age-related macular degeneration is a condition that affects the central part of the retina, known as the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp, central vision, and age-related macular degeneration can cause a gradual loss of central vision. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50.