Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
09:03
Trabecular Meshwork Response to Pressure Elevation in the Living Human Eye
Published on: June 20, 2015
Schlemm's Canal Development and Implications for Glaucoma Treatment
Krishnakumar Kizhatil1, Marina Simón2, Revathi Balasubramanian2
11Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Annual Review of Vision Science
|May 6, 2026
Summary
Schlemm's canal (SC) development is key to regulating eye pressure and preventing glaucoma. Understanding SC morphogenesis and aqueous humor drainage offers new glaucoma treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Schlemm's canal (SC) regulates intraocular pressure, crucial for preventing glaucoma.
- SC endothelial cells form the final barrier to aqueous humor drainage.
- SC development involves canalogenesis, mirroring blood and lymphatic vessel formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on Schlemm's canal development and function.
- To explore the role of SC in aqueous humor drainage and glaucoma.
- To discuss implications for novel glaucoma treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on SC development.
- Analysis of single-cell sequencing data.
- Examination of functional morphology and aqueous humor dynamics.
Main Results:
- SC development is coordinated with trabecular meshwork formation.
- SC exhibits combined lymphatic and blood vascular features.
- Single-cell sequencing advances understanding of SC development and glaucoma-associated genes.
Conclusions:
- Incomplete understanding of SC development and drainage mechanisms persists.
- SC plays a critical role in maintaining ocular homeostasis.
- Further research into SC biology may yield new glaucoma therapies.
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