What We Know About CBD for Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in the United States, with age and family being primary risk factors.
While healthcare professionals do not currently recommend cannabis and CBD as a treatment option for macular degeneration or other eye health issues, ongoing research suggests it may one day be a possible treatment option for some people with this eye condition.
Do CBD treatments help with macular degeneration?
About macular degeneration treatments
There are two kinds of age-related macular degeneration.
Dry AMD is more common. Treatment for dry AMD includes taking specific nutritional supplements and using low-vision aids.
Wet AMD is not as common, but it's more treatable. Treatments include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) eye injections and light therapy.
Generally, cannabis use is linked to lowered eye pressure and is known to help lower inflammation throughout the body.
Some people with AMD have reported anecdotal benefits from CBD use. This 2022 research in the United Kingdom (IK) does indicate that CBD may possibly lower the risk of this eye condition.
However, there's not enough medical research overall to support CBD as a treatment for any type of AMD.
In the UK study looking at people who'd used marijuana (including CBD) more than 100 times, they did see a lower risk for AMD. But the research also indicated people experienced higher rates of blood vessel loss, possibly leading to AMD development sooner for younger people.
Research on this topic has also found that many forms of CBD can't be easily administered as treatments for eye conditions. For instance, CBD oils aren't the right consistency to be made into eye drops.
Can you use CBD for other eye conditions?
CBD is known to have an effect on eye pressure, which could be a meaningful benefit for acute or chronic eye conditions.
For example, glaucoma is an eye condition that can lead to permanent vision loss, but it has a different cause than AMD. It's often caused by a buildup of eye pressure on your optic nerve (it sends visual information from your eyes to your brain).
Lowering eye pressure could potentially lower the risk of glaucoma and help treat active cases.
But research is conflicting and shows there may also be side effects of using CBD for glaucoma or other eye conditions, including mental health concerns, vision changes such as color blindness, retinal deterioration, and optic nerve damage.
No enough research exists to support CBD as a treatment for eye pressure or as a way to lower the risk of either glaucoma or AMD. Results are conflicting.
A 2018 study found that CBD (cannabidiol) eye drops increased eye pressure in rats. But the same study found that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) eye drops reduced eye pressure by up to 30%.
Treatment of AMD and glaucoma isn't the only possible eye-health-related use of CBD. Research is also being done into the use of CBD to help treat:
diabetic retinopathy
eye inflammation
corneal inflammation
eye pain
Additional research is needed to determine if CBD or THC could be used in glaucoma or AMD treatment and prevention. Right now neither is approved for managing these conditions.
Traditional AMD treatments
Traditional, scientifically backed AMD treatment regimens depend on the type of AMD you have.
They may include.
Anti-VEGF injections: These injections are the most common treatment for wet AMD. They stop the growth of eye blood vessels and can prevent and possibly reverse vision loss.
Light therapy: Known as photodynamic therapy, this treatment type may also be used to target and destroy blood vessels.
Nutritional supplements: A combination of nutritional supplements known as the AREDS2 formula has been shown to help prevent further vision loss due to dry AMD. However, these supplements aren't proven to lower the chance of AMD onset overall.
Low vision aids: These can help with any vision loss you experience due to either form of AMD or another condition. They are an essential tool in managing dry AMD. An eye doctor can help you determine the best options for you. Options may include wearing glasses, using a magnifying glass, large print materials, and an array of computer programs or mobile apps.
How can you prevent macular degeneration?
AMD is tied to multiple risk factors, many of which you can't control including age and genetics passed down through families. However, you can practice habits to support good eye health, which benefits your eyes lifelong.
These may include:
Getting regular eye exams.
Don't smoke or quit smoking.
Getting regular physical activity.
Eating certain foods that may help your eye health, including low cholesterol foods.
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