Aqueous Humor vs. Vitreous Humor

Key Differences



Comparison Chart
Chambers
Composition
Consistency
Functions
Location

pH
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.