How the Build Up of Aqueous Humor Can Damage the Optic Nerve

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Most, but not all, forms of glaucoma are characterized by high intraocular pressure. Intraocular pressure is maintained at normal levels when some of the fluid produced by the eye is allowed to flow out. The fluid (aqueous humor) is produced by the ciliary body where it flows into the anterior chamber and then out through a spongy tissue at the front of the eye called the trabecular meshwork into a drainage canal.

In open-angle glaucoma, fluid cannot flow effectively through the trabecular meshwork, and this causes an increase in intraocular pressure causing damage to the optic nerve and leading to vision loss.

Glossary of Terms

Aqueous humor: Watery fluid that nourishes the interior of the front of the eye.

Ciliary body: Part of the eye, above the lens, that produces the aqueous humor.

Choroid: Layer of the eye behind the retina; contains blood vessels that nourish the retina.

Cornea: The outer, transparent structure at the front of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber.

Fovea: The pit or depression at the center of the macula that provides the greatest visuals acuity.

Iris: The colored ring of tissue behind the cornea that regulates the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil.

Lens: The transparent structure suspended behind the iris that helps to focus light on the retina.

Optic nerve: The bundle of nerve fibers at the back of the eye that carry visual messages from the retina to the brain.

Sclera: The tough outer coat that protects the entire eyeball.

Trabecular meshwork: Spongy tissue located near the cornea through which aqueous humor flows out of the eye.

Vitreous: Clear, jelly-like substance that fills the eye from the lens to the back of the eye.

Resources

• Glaucoma Toolkit (Information to Help You Understand and Manage Glaucoma)
• Expert Information on Glaucoma (Articles)
• Glaucoma Facts and Data (Fact Sheets)
• Aqueous Humor Flow and Function (Infographic)