HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Can Smoking Marijuana Cause Swelling And Redness In The Eyes?

2 weeks ago, i woke up to find a huge white ulcer perfectly on top of my pupil. I went into the doctor on the same day and recieved antibiotic eyedrops, i have been taking them every hour since then and rotating between a couple of other prescribed antibiotics. I have been to the doctor 4 times since then, and every visit the doctor told me that the ulcer had shrank more and more. I went yesterday however, and the specialist told me that the ulcer was still shrinking but there was a good chance i have an acanthomoeba in my eye because my eye is still bloodshot red and swolen. He prescribed me with another eye drop to take with the antibiotics that is supposed to kill an acanthomoeba. I smoke marijuana every night partly recreational and because it helps me fall asleep much easier and ofcourse ive been paranoid, no pun intended, that what is causing my eye to swell and stay red is the nightly weed smoking. But, after taking the new eye drops for one day, my eye appears to be more white, not by a lot, but it definitely seems like theres a little more white in my eye instead of redness. My questions are: 1) Could the marijuana be whats causing my eye to stay swollen and red and can i still smoke it even if i dont get any smoke in my eye? i do not want to quit because i get bad withdrawal symptoms and i cant ask my doctor for obvious reasons. 2) Will i have permanent damage to my eye when and if the ulcer heals up?
Tue, 18 Sep 2018
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,

If you are not a regular marijuana smoker than you are not at the risk of ophthalmic problems, but a regular user is prone to it. Yes, your eye problems are indications of overuse. Your eyes are sensitive/allergic to the weed so you are getting redness & swelling.

The weed affects the nerve cells or retinal ganglion functioning by delaying their transmission processing potential. Regular use complicates to neurotransmission abnormalities and when the optic nerve gets affected it may cause vision loss. Get control over it slowly, do not let it damage your eyes permanently.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Nupur K, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Can Smoking Marijuana Cause Swelling And Redness In The Eyes?

Hi, If you are not a regular marijuana smoker than you are not at the risk of ophthalmic problems, but a regular user is prone to it. Yes, your eye problems are indications of overuse. Your eyes are sensitive/allergic to the weed so you are getting redness & swelling. The weed affects the nerve cells or retinal ganglion functioning by delaying their transmission processing potential. Regular use complicates to neurotransmission abnormalities and when the optic nerve gets affected it may cause vision loss. Get control over it slowly, do not let it damage your eyes permanently. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K, General & Family Physician