Heavy marijuana use was not associated with worse self-reported eyesight quality
In a nationally representative sample, heavy marijuana smokers did not report worse eyesight quality than light or non-users, though sex, race, and education influenced self-reports among heavy users.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Comparing 1,304 heavy marijuana users to 1,304 matched light or non-users from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youths, there was no statistically significant difference in self-reported quality of eyesight.
Within the heavy marijuana group, some demographic patterns emerged: males and high school graduates had decreased odds of reporting poor eyesight, while Black respondents had increased odds of reporting poor eyesight. However, the overall finding was a null result for the marijuana-eyesight association.
Key Numbers
No statistically significant difference in self-reported eyesight quality between 1,304 heavy marijuana users and 1,304 light/non-users. Sample drawn from 12,686 participants in NLSY79 (1979-2010).
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youths (NLSY79), a nationally representative sample of 12,686 people surveyed from 1979 to 2010. Researchers compared self-reported eyesight quality between 1,304 heavy marijuana users and 1,304 light/non-users using t-tests, multivariate logistic regression, and weighted analysis.
Why This Research Matters
Despite known effects of cannabis on intraocular pressure and some aspects of visual processing, this large nationally representative study found no association between heavy use and self-perceived eyesight quality. This contributes to understanding the real-world functional impact of chronic cannabis use on vision.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis is known to temporarily affect visual processing (night vision, contrast sensitivity, intraocular pressure), but whether chronic heavy use leads to lasting changes in perceived eyesight quality had not been examined at this scale. The null finding suggests that whatever acute visual effects cannabis produces may not translate into long-term perceived impairment.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Eyesight quality was self-reported, not clinically measured. Self-report may not detect subtle visual changes. The study could not assess specific visual functions like contrast sensitivity or color perception. Matching was based on use frequency, not duration or potency. The survey spanned decades during which cannabis potency increased significantly.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would clinical vision testing reveal differences that self-report misses?
- ?Does cannabis affect specific aspects of vision (like contrast sensitivity or night vision) without altering overall self-perceived quality?
- ?Do the demographic differences in self-reported eyesight among heavy users reflect actual visual differences or reporting patterns?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- No significant difference in eyesight quality between heavy users and non-users
- Evidence Grade:
- Cross-sectional analysis of a large nationally representative survey. Reasonable sample size but limited by self-reported outcome measures.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2017. Research on cannabis and visual function has continued with more sophisticated clinical measures.
- Original Title:
- Marijuana Use and Self-reported Quality of Eyesight.
- Published In:
- Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry, 94(5), 630-633 (2017)
- Authors:
- Akano, Obinna F
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01323
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis affect your eyes at all?
Cannabis is known to reduce intraocular pressure (the basis for its historical use in glaucoma research), cause red eyes from vasodilation, and temporarily affect some visual processing. This study found that heavy long-term use did not associate with self-perceived changes in overall eyesight quality.
Why did demographic factors matter within the heavy user group?
The study found that among heavy users, being male or a high school graduate was associated with better self-reported eyesight, while being Black was associated with worse reports. These likely reflect broader health disparities and access to eye care rather than differential effects of cannabis.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01323APA
Akano, Obinna F. (2017). Marijuana Use and Self-reported Quality of Eyesight.. Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry, 94(5), 630-633. https://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000001069
MLA
Akano, Obinna F. "Marijuana Use and Self-reported Quality of Eyesight.." Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000001069
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Marijuana Use and Self-reported Quality of Eyesight." RTHC-01323. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/akano-2017-marijuana-use-and-selfreported
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.