13th February 2025

Pathophysiology of glaucoma

IOP is determined by the balance of production and removal of aqueous humour. This is secreted by the ciliary processes into the posterior chamber and passes through the pupil into the anterior chamber. It leaves the eye from the periphery of this space, the anterior chamber angle, by flowing through the trabecular meshwork, ultimately draining into the episcleral veins (Figure 7).

Obstruction to the outflow of aqueous humour from the anterior chamber causes IOP to rise. This leads to optic nerve axon loss, although the exact mechanism for this is unclear.