The blood-aqueous barriers refer to the specialized physiological mechanisms that maintain the separation between the blood vessels and the aqueous humor within the eye. The eye consists of various compartments, and the blood-aqueous barriers primarily exist at the interface between the blood vessels supplying the eye's ocular structures and the aqueous humor present in the anterior chamber.
There are two main components of the blood-aqueous barriers: the blood-aqueous barrier (BAB) and the blood-ocular barriers (BOBs). The BAB primarily includes the endothelial cells forming the blood vessels within the eye, whereas the BOB primarily consists of tight junctions formed by the retinal pigment epithelium.
These barriers play a crucial role in regulating the exchange of substances between the blood vessels and the aqueous humor, thereby maintaining the ideal composition and homeostasis of the intraocular environment. They prevent the free diffusion of molecules, such as proteins and cells, from the blood into the aqueous humor, thus protecting the ocular tissues from potential harmful or immunological reactions.
Disruption or dysfunction of the blood-aqueous barriers can lead to various ocular diseases and conditions, including uveitis, iritis, and other inflammatory disorders. Measurements of barrier function, such as protein concentrations or assessment of cell counts, can assist clinicians in diagnosing and monitoring certain ocular pathologies.
Overall, the blood-aqueous barriers serve as crucial physiological structures in maintaining the integrity, transparency, and optimal functioning of the eye by selectively regulating the exchange of substances between the blood vessels and the aqueous humor.
