CBD For Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels of the eye swell due to high blood sugar levels.
Recent research has found that CBD may serve as an effective treatment for this disease due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
If you have diabetes, you are at risk of an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels cause the blood vessels of the eye to swell. This swelling can stop blood from flowing through the vessels or cause the vessels themselves to leak. Both situations can lead to vision loss or even blindness.
What Are The Stages Of Diabetic Retinopathy?
When it comes to diabetic retinopathy, there are two main stages:
- Early stage: NPDR (non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy)
- Advanced stage: PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy)
During the NPDR stage, blood vessels within the eye leak which causes the retina to inflate. As the retina expands, so can the macula, which is the part of the retina that allows you to see details in objects like facial features and written text. Those with NPDR will experience blurry vision, as they lose the ability to see details.
If your retina starts to grow new blood vessels, you’ve reached the PDR stage. In many cases, though not all, if you have PDR you’ll begin to lose both your central and peripheral sight. In minor cases, you may experience only “floaters” in your field of vision, though the condition is still considered serious.
What Are The Symptoms?
With diabetic retinopathy, there are several symptoms:
- Floaters
- Blurry vision
- Poor night vision
- Faded colors or losing vision
It should be noted it’s possible to have diabetic retinopathy without experiencing symptoms. However, as the condition worsens, the symptoms will develop and worsen over time. Further, you’ll usually have symptoms in both eyes.
What Benefits Are There of Using CBD?
There are a limited number of treatments for diabetic retinopathy. However, recent research has found that CBD has the potential to serve as an effective treatment. This research found that localized inflammation plays a critical role in the development of diabetic retinopathy. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can act as a measure of self-defense against inflammation within the retina.
Additional research suggests CBD’s antioxidant capabilities also indicates its potential as a treatment option for diabetic retinopathy. While clinical trials need to be conducted to further demonstrate its safety and efficacy, CBD may serve as a potential breakthrough treatment for those with this eye disease.
If you have diabetes and are experiencing the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, you must see your doctor as soon as you can. They can help diagnose the issue and provide the best current treatment options for your medical needs.
