Topical WIN55212-2 alleviates intraocular hypertension in rats through a CB1 receptor mediated mechanism of action.

Introduction: Systemically administered cannabinoids can reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), but produce undesirable cardiovascular and central nervous system effects. In a chronic model of ocular hypertension, we examined the efficacy of acute topical administration of WIN55212-2 (WIN) in a novel commercially available vehicle and in combination with timolol.

Methods: IOP was chronically elevated by the surgical ligature of vortex veins in Sprague Dawley rats.