Marijuana and Glaucoma: A Social Media Content Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Cannabinoid Science
• Digital Health Communication

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Medical cannabis (MC) is increasingly explored for various conditions, including glaucoma.
• Patient access to online health information necessitates content quality assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the content quality and characteristics of online information regarding glaucoma and medical cannabis (MC).
• To evaluate the reliability and bias of internet search results for patients seeking information on MC for glaucoma.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study analyzed Google, Facebook, and YouTube content related to glaucoma and MC.
• Content quality was assessed using Sandvik and risk scores by independent graders.
• Sources were categorized as professional or opinion-based, and stance on MC use (pro, mixed, against) was recorded.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in content quality (Sandvik score) and risk scores were found across platforms (P < 0.01).
• A substantial proportion of online material, particularly on YouTube (59%), promoted MC use for glaucoma.
• Professional content demonstrated higher quality and lower risk, and was less likely to recommend MC.

Conclusions:

• Despite professional guidelines advising against MC for glaucoma, much online content supports its use.
• The variable quality and pro-MC stance of online information highlight the need for physician awareness.
• Healthcare providers must guide patients through the complex landscape of online glaucoma and MC information.