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Anterior Chamber of the Eye

camera anterior bulbi

The anterior chamber of the eye is the fluid-filled space bounded anteriorly by the cornea, posteriorly by the anterior surface of the iris and the pupillary portion of the lens. It contains aqueous humour produced by the ciliary body that flows through the pupil from the posterior chamber and drains via the trabecular meshwork into the canal of Schlemm at the iridocorneal angle.

Region: Head & Skull

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The anterior chamber is the focus of glaucoma management: raised intraocular pressure from impaired aqueous outflow at the trabecular meshwork produces progressive optic nerve damage. Primary open-angle glaucoma has an open but dysfunctional angle; primary angle-closure glaucoma has a physically occluded angle by the peripheral iris. Gonioscopy visualises the iridocorneal angle. Anterior chamber paracentesis relieves acutely elevated IOP in central retinal artery occlusion and in post-operative hypertension. Hyphaema (blood in the anterior chamber) from trauma requires monitoring and evacuation if IOP is uncontrolled.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Hyphaema in the Anterior Chamber from Blunt Trauma

Blunt ocular trauma ruptures the iris or ciliary body vessels producing a hyphaema, a blood level in the inferior anterior chamber visible to the naked eye or as a diffuse red haze; IOP is monitored closely as elevated IOP from clot obstruction of the trabecular meshwork may require topical hypotensive agents or anterior chamber washout.