Minoxidil and Eye Issues: Coincidence or Fate?
December 2020
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Studysummary This case report suggests that Minoxidil may be a potential cause of central serous chorioretinopathy in a 39-year-old cardiologist using it for androgenic alopecia. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
A 39-year-old cardiologist experienced eye issues after using 2% topical Minoxidil for hair loss, which worsened when the dosage was increased to 5%. The symptoms included metamorphopsia and central scotoma, primarily in the right eye, and were diagnosed as Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC). The patient's symptoms improved about 10 days after discontinuing Minoxidil. The paper suggests that Minoxidil may contribute to CSC through capillary rearrangement and angiogenesis, or possibly through a direct toxic effect on retinal pigmented epithelium or vasodilation of choroidal vessels. However, the exact mechanism is still debated. The paper also notes that both CSC and Minoxidil usage are common in young males, so the correlation could be coincidental. The authors suggest that medical professionals should take a full drug history, including Minoxidil usage, when treating a patient with CSC.
