Do cannabinoids play a role in the control of glaucoma?

Medwave. 2018 Jan 24;18(1):e7144. doi: 10.5867/medwave.2018.01.7144.
[Article in Spanish, English]

Abstract

Introduction: The use of cannabinoids in diverse clinical conditions is today a subject of debate. Its use has been proposed for the control of glaucoma. However, there is controversy about its real effectiveness and safety.

Methods: To answer this question we used Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach.

Results and conclusions: We identified five systematic reviews including three studies overall, all of them randomized controlled trials. We concluded that although cannabinoids could decrease intraocular pressure, the effect would be transient and associated with frequent adverse effects.

Introducción: El uso de cannabinoides en diversas condiciones clínicas es hoy un tema de debate. Se ha planteado su uso para el control del glaucoma. Sin embargo, existe controversia sobre su real efectividad y seguridad.

Métodos: Para responder esta pregunta utilizamos Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, reanalizamos los datos de los estudios primarios y preparamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE.

Resultados y conclusiones: Identificamos cinco revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen 3 estudios primarios, todos correspondientes a ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que, si bien los cannabinoides podrían disminuir la presión intraocular, lo hacen de forma transitoria y se asocian a efectos adversos frecuentes.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cannabinoids / administration & dosage*
  • Cannabinoids / adverse effects
  • Databases, Factual
  • Glaucoma / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cannabinoids