Ciliary process

Ciliary Process

The ciliary process is a part of the eye that plays a crucial role in the production of aqueous humor, which is the clear fluid filling the space in the front of the eyeball between the lens and the cornea. The ciliary process is a component of the ciliary body, one of the structures that make up the uvea.

Anatomy

The ciliary processes are located in the inner part of the eye, behind the iris. They are formed by the inward folding of the various layers of the ciliary body. There are approximately 60-70 ciliary processes in the human eye, and they are arranged radially around the circumference of the lens.

Function

The primary function of the ciliary processes is the production of aqueous humor. This fluid provides nutrients to the lens and the cornea, which do not have their own blood supply. The ciliary processes also play a role in the accommodation of the eye, which is the process by which the eye changes optical power to maintain a clear image or focus on an object as its distance varies.

Clinical significance

Dysfunction or damage to the ciliary processes can lead to a variety of eye disorders. For example, overproduction or under-drainage of aqueous humor can lead to glaucoma, a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve and can result in loss of vision. Inflammation of the ciliary body and ciliary processes, known as uveitis, can also occur and can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.

See also

• Eye anatomy
• Ciliary body
• Aqueous humor
• Glaucoma
• Uveitis

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