Robbie has been diagnosed with pigmentary glaucoma. In this type of glaucoma, pigment granules from the iris break off into the aqueous humor. Describe the steps of aqueous humor formation, circulation, and drainage and how glaucoma may develop


The epithelial cells of the ciliary processes of the ciliary body produce aqueous humor. It is secreted into the posterior chamber then flows into the anterior chamber through the pupil. After filtering through connective tissues at the base of the iris it enters the scleral venous sinus into veins in the sclera. If pigment pieces block the scleral venous sinus canal the fluid that is continuously produced cannot drain at the same rate and intraocular pressure will increase causing glaucoma.

Anatomy & Physiology

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