Medical Marijuana is used widely, and its effects on the visual system and the function of the retina have not been investigated thoroughly. Some evidence suggests that cannabinoids may be beneficial in certain degenerative diseases of the retina.
The purpose of the study is
- To determine whether cannabis derivatives affect the visual functions in healthy adults
- To examine the effect of cannabis derivatives on the retina of retinitis pigmentosa patients
- Electroretinogram – mixed cone-rod response, cone flicker, rod response [ Time Frame: 3 hours ]
microvolt
- Electroretinogram – cone flicker latency [ Time Frame: 3 hours ]
milliseconds
- Visual acuity [ Time Frame: 3 hours ]
LogMAR ETDRS
- Titmus stereo eye movements [ Time Frame: 3 hours ]
seconds of arc
- Eye movements [ Time Frame: 3 hours ]
degrees/second
- Intra ocular pressure [ Time Frame: 3 hours ]
mmHg
- Macular thickness (OCT) [ Time Frame: 3 hours ]
micrometers
| Estimated Enrollment: | 50 |
| Anticipated Study Start Date: | September 2017 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date: | August 2020 |
| Estimated Primary Completion Date: | August 2020 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
| Experimental: healthy
All subjects will undergo a full ocular exam and visual functions will be assessed before and after the administration of a single dose of cannabis (THC:CBD 1:40). On the second study day all subjects will receive a single dose of cannabis (THC:CBD 1:1) and undergo the full ocular exam again. |
Drug: cannabis
single dose sublingual cannabis (THC:CBD 1:1, THC:CBD 1:40) Other Names:
|
| Experimental: Retinitis Pigmentosa
All subjects will undergo a full ocular exam and visual functions will be assessed before and after the administration of a single dose of cannabis (THC:CBD 1:40). On the second study day all subjects will receive a single dose of cannabis (THC:CBD 1:1) and undergo the full ocular exam again. |
Drug: cannabis
single dose sublingual cannabis (THC:CBD 1:1, THC:CBD 1:40) Other Names:
|
Twenty five healthy subjects and 25 retinitis pigmentosa patients will be recruited and will sign an informed consent form. An initial eye exam will include visual acuity and stereo vision, eye movements and eye movement recording, a full slit lamp eye exam, intra-ocular pressure measurement, visual field, OCT and electrophysiology. The subjects will receive a single sublingual dose of cannabis (THC:CBD 1:1, THC 5 mg, or THE:CBD 1:40, THC 5 mg), and will undergo the above examination again. Subjects will be monitored for 5 hours after the administration of cannabis.