A study examining the attitudes of US-based glaucoma specialists to medical marijuana (MMJ) has found that more than a quarter thought MMJ had a role in the treatment of glaucoma, despite a recommendation to the contrary by the American Glaucoma Society (AGS).

Given the expanding legality and use of MMJ in the US (33 states have now passed legislation for comprehensive MMJ plans), the study, led by Dr Zachary Bergman from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, surveyed AGS members about their attitudes and perceptions of MMJ’s use in glaucoma management. The results, published in February’s Journal of Glaucoma, revealed that 37% of respondents reported having patients who said they used MMJ for their glaucoma and 38% said they were asked about using it by their patients at least once a week, with 55% saying they’d been asked for MMJ prescriptions. When asked if they thought there was a possible role for marijuana in the management of glaucoma patients, 27% said there was, while 14% kept information on MMJ at their practices and 76% said they’d be interested in more education about MMJ and its possible role in glaucoma management.

Previous research has shown that inhaled tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, one of the principal active compounds in cannabis) can lower intraocular pressure. “Given the expanding legality and curiosity of patients with regard to marijuana in the United States, it is important for ophthalmologists to have a greater understanding of the implications of marijuana in glaucoma,” the authors concluded.