Can CBD Help Cataracts?

Cataracts are a leading cause of deteriorating vision, with the only definitive option for treatment being cataract surgery. But… Hold on a minute. What’s this you might’ve heard about CBD helping treat the condition? While we’re certainly not about to advocate that CBD is going to suddenly melt away your increasingly foggy vision, we felt that it was necessary to provide a balanced view on a subject that seems to be taking the internet by storm. Read on to discover everything you need to know about CBD and cataracts.

The Tenuous Link Between Eye Cataract and CBD

• Claims about CBD and eye cataract treatment
• Where the reports are coming from

Claims about CBD and eye cataract treatment

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical extracted from hemp that its fans claim can have many beneficial effects. The most commonly cited ones are that it can reduce pain, inflammation, and anxiety. However, it’s important to emphasize that none of these have been verified by the FDA. The only approval by the regulator for its use is in the treatment of a certain kind of epilepsy.So why are we seeing that CBD can have a beneficial effect on cataracts?  These are stemming from small-scale studies that appear to show a very (very!) tenuous link between CBD and the condition. But before you rush out to stock up, it’s important to know that, so far, there is absolutely no scientific backing to these claims.The majority of what’s being said is based on the possible antioxidant properties of CBD. However, the proven scientific evidence behind a diet rich in antioxidants—one containing vegetables, fruits, berries, seafood, etc.—is by far the best source of antioxidants.

Where the reports are coming from

Many of the claims stem from an article published in 2019 that appeared in a medical journal called Frontiers in Pharmacology. This talked about a variety of homeopathic remedies, including those that might (note the word ‘might’) be effective for cataracts. While there may, indeed, be a future use for such natural treatments, CBD benefits are something that, for now, is market-driven, rather than backed by science.

Why Laser Cataract Surgery (or Traditional Surgery) is the Only Definitive Treatment

• All about laser cataract surgery

All about laser cataract surgery

To be blunt, there really is no evidence that CBD can help cataracts. The only definitive manner to treat them is through surgery. Laser cataract surgery is the most advanced form of this, providing the surgeon with pinpoint accuracy as to the procedure and placement of the replacement lens.If you opt for what is known as a ‘premium lens’, one that can provide clear vision at both near, intermediate, and far distances, then this can only be inserted using this cutting-edge treatment. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in people across the globe. Partnering with an ophthalmologist who is an expert in their diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment is the ultimate way to ensure that your vision remains clear as you age.  While CBD is something many people are staunch advocates of, its use in the treatment of cataracts is something that’s become an urban myth. The very best advice from renowned ophthalmologists is to rely on science. While we’d love to say that CBD can bring about vision-related miracles, for now, that’s something that remains purely wishful thinking…

Worried About Cataracts? Contact the World-Renowned West Boca Eye Center Today

At the WBEC, we’re at the forefront of the latest advances for all things cataract-related. If and when any link between CBD and cataract treatment is proven, you can rest assured that we’ll be the first to know. Why can we say this? It’s because our head clinician, Brent Bellotte MD., is a world-leading surgeon and research professional in the treatment of cataracts. That’s why we can safely say that, presently, there’s no clinical or scientific evidence that CBD can improve cataracts.  But what does definitively treat the condition is the very latest in laser cataract surgery, something that the WBEC is known around the globe for its cutting-edge treatment. Don’t leave your vision to chance. Get your cataracts monitored and treated with the latest proven surgical procedures.  Discover more at https://westbocaeyecenter.com/services/cataract-surgery/