Physiology 2 - aqueous humour and glaucoma

Question 1

What is aqueous humour ?

Answer 1

It a fluid which bathes the structures of the eye providing oxygen and metabolities

Question 2

Describe the route of aqueous humour

Answer 2

1. Produced by the ciliary bodies into the posterior chamber
2. It then flows into the anterior chamber
3. Then drainsthrough a trabecular meshwork and the canal of Schlemm to the scleral venous sinus

Question 3

What results in glaucoma’s occurring ?

Answer 3

Raised intra-ocular pressure caused by an imbalance between the rates of secretion and removal of aqueous humor.

Question 4

What drugs are used to treat glaucoma’s ?

Answer 4

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Question 5

What do carbonic anhydrase inhibtors do ?

Answer 5

Reduce production of aqueous humor which in turn reduced the raised intraocular pressure in the eye

Question 6

Give the 2 main examples of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Answer 6

• Dorzolamide
• Acetazolamide

(think zolamide)

Question 7

What is the benefit of using dorzolamide over acetazolamide?

Answer 7

Dorzolamide is given as eye drops so avoids systemic effects where as acetazolamide is given orally and can affect the kidneys resulting in acidosis