A Food and Drug Administration panel has approved a new type of anti-glaucoma drug even though it has the startling side effect of turning blue eyes brown. “This could turn out to be a major public health hazard for glaucoma patients,” noted Dr. Alexander Buckner of the University of Pennsylvania. The panel voted 4-2 to approve the new drug.
National statistics indicate that glaucoma effects some 980,000 Americans a year. Standard therapy in the treatment of glaucoma is the drug Timolol; however, physicians state that the drug has numerous side effects ranging from breathing problems to irregular heartbeats.
Medical marijuana proponents argue that the use of cannabis is an effective treatment in lowering inter-ocular pressure in individuals who suffer from open-angle glaucoma. Advocates state that cannabis is both more effective and safer than other conventional treatments.
For more information on medical marijuana, please contact Allen St. Pierre of NORML at (202) 483-5500.