Glymphatic flow of the eye: anatomo-histo-physiological aspects

Beisekeyeva Zhuldyz Serikovna, Kulumbetovna Jamilya Yeleusizovna, Kochergin Sergey Alexandrovich

Glymphatic pathways and circulation flow routes in posterior segment of the eye were analyzed in this review according to the eye’s ultrastructure and physiology. The vitreous body, retina, optic nerve and uveal tract constitute a unified structural and functional complex, providing constant physiological glympho-lymphatic fluid circulation in the eye and glympho-glymphatic circulation between eye and brain provided by the two-directional fluid flow along the optic nerve and its sheats. There is an interstitial fluid flow existing through internal layers of retina and along the axons of ganglion cells to the optic nerve and its sheath where excessive fluid is absorbed into the subarachnoid space. If a dysfunction of outer retinal-blood barrier occurs resulting in fluid accumulation before RPE, then excess water discharges into the vitreous and the innermost retina layer, passing towards the optic nerve and contributing to glaucomatous optic disc cupping. Рossible glymphatic flow routes of the human eye were described. This may help to understand the pathogenesis of glaucoma and various eye diseases.

Keywords:glymphatic, interstitial flow, vitreous body, retina, glia, Muller cells, glaucoma, optic nerve cup, glaucomatous optic neuropathy