Central Chorioretinopathy Associated with Topical Use of Minoxidil 2% for Treatment of Baldness
September 2011
in “
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology
”
Studysummary This article presents a case of central serous chorioretinopathy occurring after the use of topical minoxidil solution, but reports no clinical study findings.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
In 2012, a case study reported a 37-year-old man developing central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), a condition causing distorted vision due to fluid build-up under the retina, after using a 2% minoxidil solution for 8 months to treat androgenetic alopecia. His symptoms resolved a month after stopping the treatment. This was the first case linking CSC to minoxidil use. The study proposed that minoxidil might cause CSC through choroidal vasodilation from increased sympathetic nerve activity, potential toxicity to retinal pigment epithelium cells, and increased vascular permeability due to vascular endothelial growth factor. However, these mechanisms were not definitively proven, and further research was suggested.
