Carbohydrates

Glucose concentration in the aqueous is roughly 50%–70% of that in plasma. The rate of entry of glucose into the posterior chamber is much more rapid than would be expected from its molecular size and lipid solubility, suggesting that the transport of glucose across the ciliary epithelium occurs by facilitated diffusion.

Inositol, which is important for phospholipid synthesis in the anterior segment, is found in the aqueous at a concentration approximately 10 times higher than that in plasma.

Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 2 - Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.