Ophthalmohypertension Caused by Minoxidil

Minoxidil, commonly used for treating androgenic alopecia, has been reported in rare cases to cause ophthalmohypertension, although the connection is not well understood. Experimental studies show that while minoxidil can have a hypotensive effect in animal models, it reduces the permeability of trabecular meshwork cells in vitro, potentially affecting intraocular pressure (IOP). The exact mechanism of how minoxidil influences IOP indirectly is not yet studied, and the side effects associated with long-term use are not well-documented.