title: Marijuana Use Among Patients With Glaucoma in a City With Legalized Medical Marijuana Use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous research has shown several limitations associated with the use of marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma. However, little is known regarding patients' perceptions toward using marijuana for glaucoma and their intentions to use this therapeutic alternative.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors among patients with glaucoma that could lead to intentions to use marijuana for treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional survey study of 204 patients with glaucoma or suspected to have glaucoma was conducted at an academic-based glaucoma clinic in Washington, DC, between February 1 and July 31, 2013. Patients completed a self-administered survey assessing demographics, perceived severity of glaucoma, prior knowledge about marijuana use in glaucoma, past marijuana use, perceptions toward marijuana use (legality, systemic adverse effects, safety and effectiveness, and false beliefs), satisfaction with current glaucoma management, relevance of treatment costs, and intentions to use marijuana for glaucoma. Medical records were reviewed for disease severity. Data analysis was conducted from September 1, 2013, to September 30, 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcome was patients' intentions to use marijuana for glaucoma. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with patients' intentions to use marijuana for glaucoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 334 patients who were invited to participate in the study, 204 (61.1%) completed the survey. About half the participants were women (104 [51.0]%), and 82 (40.2%) were white. Regression analysis of 204 respondents indicated that perceptions of legality of marijuana use (β, 0.378; 95% CI, 0.205 to 0.444; P < .001), false beliefs regarding marijuana (β, 0.323; 95% CI, 0.236 to 0.504; P < .001), satisfaction with current glaucoma care (β, -0.222; 95% CI, -0.362 to -0.128; P < .001), and relevance of marijuana and glaucoma treatment costs (β, 0.127; 95% CI, 0.008 to 0.210; P = .04) were significantly associated with intentions to use marijuana for glaucoma treatment after controlling for demographic variables, disease severity, and previous marijuana use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study's findings suggest a need for more education on this topic for ophthalmologists to be able to protect patients with glaucoma against the increased acceptability among the public of using marijuana based on false perceptions of its therapeutic value in glaucoma therapy. Considering the strong influence of perceptions of the legality of marijuana use on intentions to use this substance as a treatment for glaucoma, patient education might be particularly relevant in states in which marijuana use for glaucoma is legal, as in the case of the current study's setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Associates, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Belyea
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Associates, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Rashed
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alhabshan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Del Rio-Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Associates, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Nisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chadha
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Associates, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lamba
authors.affiliation: The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Cyrus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Golshani
authors.affiliation: The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Kunal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merchant
authors.affiliation: The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Neena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Passi
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Associates, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Jacob A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004219:District of Columbia; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D064086:Medical Marijuana