Glaucoma; Chemistry, Mechanisms and Therapy

Abstract

In the first half of the book the author reviews the chemistry of the aqueous humor and the likely processes by which plasma constituents become aqueous constituents. He shows that steady-state ratios and accumulation rates of isotope electrolytes in the aqueous lead to the conclusion that at least one aqueous constituent—probably the sodium ion—is actively transported from the blood into the posterior chamber. The high ascorbic acid content of the aqueous may be due to local synthesis. In addition to unidirectional transfer, that is, secretion, there is bidirectional, or back and forth, diffusional movement of electrolytes and nonelectrolytes. The combined chemical processes create a pressure head in the posterior chamber that causes a bulk flow of aqueous of a magnitude of 2 to 3 μl. per minute. The morphology of the outflow channels is reviewed in considerable detail. The author is not an enthusiastic proponent of tonography. He may be