Kammerwassers

Kammerwasser is the German term for the aqueous humor, the clear, watery fluid that fills the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. Kammerwassers is the plural form and may be used when referring to the aqueous humor of both eyes or to multiple samples. The fluid is produced mainly by the ciliary processes and serves to nourish avascular structures such as the cornea, the lens, and the anterior iris.

The production and circulation of Kammerwasser support intraocular pressure and optical properties of the eye. It flows from the posterior chamber through the pupil into the anterior chamber and is drained primarily via the trabecular meshwork into Schlemm’s canal, with a smaller portion exiting through the uveoscleral pathway. This outflow balance helps maintain a stable intraocular pressure, which is essential for the shape of the eyeball and proper vision.

In terms of composition, Kammerwasser is a low-protein, relatively low-cellular fluid with electrolytes, small molecules such as glucose, vitamins, and ascorbate. Its composition is regulated by the blood–eye barrier, which restricts the entry of larger proteins from plasma and maintains an environment suitable for ocular tissues.

Clinical relevance lies in the fluid’s role in diseases that affect intraocular pressure, most notably glaucoma, where impaired drainage elevates pressure and risks optic nerve damage. Inflammation (uveitis) or trauma can alter Kammerwasser composition and dynamics. In ophthalmology, analysis of Kammerwasser can aid diagnosis in certain conditions and during intraocular procedures.

See also: aqueous humor, eye anatomy, glaucoma, uveitis.