Change in Refractive Error Associated With the Use of Cannabidiol Oil

Amir Ali,Praveena K Gupta

doi:10.7759/cureus.14434

Abstract

Cannabinoid (CBD) products have gained popularity since their legalization in 2018, causing a plethora of unregulated CBD products to be sold in the United States. These products are available in various combinations for topical and oral consumption, claiming credit for potentially improving various diseases. In this report, we present a newfound case reporting a shift in refraction that may be associated with the regular use of CBD oil supplements.A 57-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus type 2, hyperlipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, with no change in medications, diet, or lifestyle was found to have a hyperopic shift in vision with the recent daily addition of CBD oil intake.This case report highlights the possible association of CBD oil and vision changes after regular consumption of CBD oil in an otherwise stable patient. Further study is required to understand the mechanisms of CBD oil-associated shift in refractive error. Because the patient is diabetic and the refraction shift was hyperopic, other etiologies, such as un-noted lenticular change, cannot be ruled out. CBD products are unregulated and marketed in many mixed forms, and thus can cause unforeseen effects on susceptible individuals. This warrants Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of such products and extensive research before considering them for therapeutic usage.

Highlights

Cannabis, or marijuana, has been utilized in psychogenic therapy for hundreds of years
We present an isolated case of a patient who reported gradual improvement in myopic vision after starting cannabidiol (CBD) oil for the past few weeks and reversal to original myopic refraction after the discontinuation of CBD oil
We present a case where a woman taking CBD oil orally for six weeks on a regular basis was found to have an improvement in myopia

Summary

Introduction

Marijuana, has been utilized in psychogenic therapy for hundreds of years. We present an isolated case of a patient who reported gradual improvement in myopic vision after starting cannabidiol (CBD) oil for the past few weeks and reversal to original myopic refraction after the discontinuation of CBD oil. She reported her eye strain was somewhat relieved after she removed her glasses Her medical history was remarkable for obstructive sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, and polyneuropathy secondary to continued uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (most recent hemoglobin A1c = 12.8%), osteopenia, and restless legs syndrome. Within three weeks of stopping the CBD oil, the patient again noted a gradual worsening of her vision The patient tried her old prescription lenses with -2.25 OD and 2.00 OS refractive error correction and reported seeing clearly. She had reverted to her original myopic state after stopping the CBD oil

Discussion

Conclusions

Findings

Disclosures

Green K