What causes glaucoma

What Causes Glaucoma?

A clear liquid called aqueous humor flows through the eye nourishing the lens,iris,and cornea. When the delicate mesh that forms the drainage system becomes restricted or completely blocked,the liquid continues to flow into the eye and pressure builds up. It is this build-up of pressure which causes Glaucoma. In a normal eye there is a constant flow of fluid (aqueous humor) from the inner chamber to the outer chamber. This fluid is free to drain out of the eye,through the drainage channels (Canal of Schlemm) at the outer edge of the iris,and return to the veins. With Glaucoma, the drainage channels are restricted or blocked.