Seeing over the horizon - targeting the endocannabinoid system for the treatment of ocular disease

J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2016 May 1;27(3):253-65. doi: 10.1515/jbcpp-2015-0065.

Abstract

The observation that marijuana reduces intraocular pressure was made by Hepler and Frank in the 1970s. Since then, there has been a significant body of work investigating cannabinoids for their potential use as therapeutics. To date, no endocannabinoid system (ECS)-modulating drug has been approved for clinical use in the eye; however, recent advances in our understanding of the ECS, as well as new pharmacological tools, has renewed interest in the development of ocular ECS-based therapeutics. This review summarizes the current state-of-affairs for the use of ECS-modulating drugs for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular inflammatory and ischemic disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cannabinoids / pharmacology*
  • Cannabinoids / therapeutic use*
  • Endocannabinoids / metabolism*
  • Eye Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Eye Diseases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism

Substances

  • Cannabinoids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid