Edward
To those who suffer, My name is Ed, and I was initially diagnosed with "photophobia" in 1969, as I returned from Viet Nam as an infantryman after a year there. Photophobia is a condition of sun and light sensitivity of the eyes. I was told to wear sunglasses inside and outdoors. In 1977, I went to the VA Hospital in Miami, Fla. and was viewed by ten interns, half of whom stated I had low tension glaucoma, and half stated there was no such condition; only high tension glaucoma existed. The intern who was analyzing me took me across the street to Simmons-LaSalle Eye Clinic, where I was analyzed by both prestigious doctors, one of whom diagnosed cupping in both eyes with low tension, the other doctor was adamant that low tension glaucoma did not exist. I have faced this discrepancy ever since by a multitude of ophthalmologists. My intraocular pressures have been around 16 and 17 ever since. My father also had low tension glaucoma in his 50 and 60 years of age. He had eye surgery in both eyes several times, as well as laser surgery several times in each eye. By the time he was 60 years old he was totally blind. He warned me not to have either invasive operations, because he lost sight after each treatment; and I believe him and have never had either operation against the advice of many different eye doctors since. The VA has followed my deterioration up to this day, finally prescribing Timoptic eye drops twice a day. I felt something different should be done or I would soon be blind. In Vietnam, to control stress in combat, we smoked marijuana, which was plentiful and inexpensive. It worked exceptionally well on stress so I continued to use it, which I believe has maintained my sight for 22 years. I had heard that a doctor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was experimenting with the use of cannabis in 1985, so I traveled there from my home in Vermont and was accepted as a patient in 1982 and 1983. I was diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma bilaterally. It was found that I had high pressures of 27 to 31 in each eye between 1 AM and 6 AM, yet during the day my pressures were 19 and 20. I was directed to use cannabis 3-4 times a day and my pressures went from 20 to 15 and 18 to 14. Then the government halted all such studies in 1983, and I was on my own again. In 1989, I moved to Florida and found an investigative study at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute set up by the FDA, and I was accepted there as a patient. I was given 10 marijuana cigarettes a day, supplied by the FDA in Washington until 1989, when I was terminated from the study, although my pressures decreased to 14 and 12 IOP. The cannabis supplied was of an inferior nature compared to what I could get on my own. Since that time I have not been able to find an ophthalmologist who would treat me with cannabis, although another patient in the study, who had high pressure glaucoma has continued in the study to this day; an elderly woman who lived in Miami, and was directed by a court order to continue treatment. Since I have had glaucoma, my father has died while totally blind, my brother has lost sight due to macular degeneration, my sister {who has chronic arthritis} went blind from a particular pain medication, and last year my 10 year old daughter has been diagnosed with low tension glaucoma and is using eye drops. She already has 70% to 80% cupping. I pray to God that she does not go blind at such a young age. I am 50 years old now and have been recommended by my optician to continue my own cannabis therapy. I am 20/200 vision in my left eye with a 1.0 cupping, and with corrective glasses I am 20/70 vision in my right eye with a 0.9 cupping. Yet, I have maintained my direct and peripheral vision to this day, although my eyes have progressively worsened and the doctors state there is nothing more they can do. California is the only bright light in this country, and I hope you succeed in regaining your cannabis clubs. Sincerely, Edward
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