Intraocular pressure-lowering effects of tetrahydrocannabinol drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Can J OphthalmolAug 5, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchOphthalmology
Thanansayan Dhivagaran, Fahad Butt, David Mathew
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 99 patients across five studies. The overall pooled peak percentage reduction in IOP after THC administration was 14.66% (95% CI: [3.38%, 25.93%]; p < 0.005), with the intravenous route showing the most significant reduction at 33.27%.
Key findings
- Pooled peak percentage reduction in IOP after THC was 14.66% (95% CI: [3.38%, 25.93%]; p < 0.005).
- Intravenous THC administration resulted in a 33.27% reduction in IOP (95% CI: [20.36%, 46.17%]; p < 0.0001).
- Oral and topical THC routes showed reductions of 10.65% and 9.36%, respectively, with wide confidence intervals.
- The reduction in IOP after THC was not significantly different from control, at 6.88% (95% CI: [-9.56%, 23.33%]; p = 0.41).
Why it matters
Understanding the IOP-lowering effects of THC could provide insights into alternative or complementary treatments for glaucoma, especially for patients who may not respond well to conventional therapies.