Aqueous Humor vs. Vitreous Humor

There are two types of cavities called eye chambers within the human eye. One cavity is the aqueous chamber and the other is called the vitreous chamber. The aqueous chamber is full of aqueous humor. The other vitreous chamber is bigger in size than the aqueous chamber and is located between the lens and retina. This cavity contains the vitreous humor. The main difference between the aqueous and the vitreous humor is their appearance. The aqueous humor looks like water with its thin consistency. It is composed of glucose, ascorbic acid, protein, and lactic acid. But the vitreous humor looks like a transparent gel or jelly-like substance because it consists of 99 percent water, and one percent of hyaluronic acid and collagen.

Key Differences

Aqueous humor provides nutrients and oxygen gas to eye structures like the cornea, lens, etc., and vitreous humor provides spherical shape and structural support to the eye.

Aqueous humor is a watery solution and vitreous humor is a gelatinous medium.

Aqueous humor is very acidic in nature and vitreous humor is alkaline in nature.

Aqueous humor has a less volume in the eye and vitreous humor has a very large volume.

Samantha Walker

Sep 25, 2022

Aqueous humor fills both posterior and anterior chambers in front of the eye lens and vitreous humor occupies a large vitreous chamber behind the eye lens.

Aqueous humor is secreted by the eye’s ciliary epithelium and vitreous humor is produced by the non-pigmented ciliary body of the eye.

Samantha Walker

Sep 25, 2022

Aqueous humor gives optically clear eye vision and vitreous humor refracts incoming light rays to the retina of the eye.

Harlon Moss

Sep 25, 2022

Comparison Chart

Chambers

Two chambers.

One large vitreous chamber.

Composition

Lactic acid, glucose, protein, and ascorbic acid.

Water, collagen and hyaluronic acid.

Consistency

Thin, transparent and watery consistency.

Gel-like consistency.

Functions

Supplies oxygen and nutrients to eye tissues, proper maintenance of intraocular pressure.

Gives spherical shape to the eye, and refraction of light rays into the retina.

Location

In the anterior and posterior chambers between the lens and cornea of the eye.

In one large vitreous chamber behind the lens and in front of the retina of the eye.

Aimie Carlson

Sep 25, 2022

pH

7.2 (acidic)

7.8 (alkaline)

Aqueous Humor vs. Vitreous Humor

Aqueous humor looks like water, vitreous humor looks like gelatin. Aqueous humor consists of stuff that is also in blood plasma, like lactic acid, glucose, protein, and ascorbic acid; and vitreous humor is composed of collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitrosin, and 99 percent water, just like the corner of the eye. Aqueous humor is responsible for nutritional support to the eye tissues and vitreous humor is responsible for structural support of the eye. Aqueous humor is a thin, acidic solution and vitreous humor is a thick, alkaline gel medium.

What is Aqueous Humor?

Aqueous humor is a thin fluid found inside the posterior and anterior spaces in front of the lens inside the eye. It is composed of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), lactic acid, sugar, and proteins. It serves many functions in the eye and plays a very vital role in overall eye health. Aqueous humor also fights against infectious diseases of the eye and fights off inflammations. It also keeps free radicals at bay. As it is transparent in nature, it also is responsible for bringing optically clear vision to the eye. This clear solution is acidic in nature, with a pH of 7.2. The structure called ciliary epithelium that supports the eye lens, secretes the aqueous humor.

What is Vitreous Humor?

Unlike aqueous humor, vitreous humor is a gelatinous type mass found in the eye cavity called the vitreous chamber. The vitreous chamber is behind the eye lens. It is a very large space as compared to the aqueous posterior and anterior chambers. The production of such a gel type of humor is done by cells that are found in the ciliary body’s non-pigmented portion. It is composed of 99 percent water, collagen, and some hyaluronic acid. Vitreous humor is very alkaline in nature, with a 7.8 pH level. It has a wide variety of functions, including supporting the eye’s shape and maintaining its intraocular pressure. In addition, vitreous humor also refracts incoming rays of light into the eye structure called the retina.

🢀 Previous Article