Schwalbe s line

Figure 20-5 Major anatomic landmarks in gonioscopy. Schwalbe s line (SL), trabecular meshwork (TM), scleral spur (SS), and ciliary body (CB).

Expected Gonioscopic Findings. From anterior to posterior, the following structures are present in the angle Schwalbe s line (representing the posterior border of Descemet s membrane), the anterior trabecular mesh-woik (often less pigmented than the posterior trabecular meshwork), the canal of Schlemm within the botmdaries of and deep to the trabecular meshwork (typically only visible if filled with venous blood), the posterior trabecular meshwork, the scleral spur (to which the ciliary muscle is attached), and the ciliary body band. 

The cornea serves as the front part of the AC of the eye. Its exterior is covered by the precorneal tear film, which lubricates, nourishes and protects the corneal surface. The iris and the pupil represent the posterior border of the AC. The AC angle is an important sducture which is comprised of Schwalbe s line, Schlemm s canal and trabecular mesh-work, scleral spur, anterior border of the ciliary body and the iris (Figure 5.2). Aqueous humor that fills the AC is produced by the ciliary epithelium located in the posterior chamber. The fluid flows through the pupil and is chained by the habecular meshwork into Schlemm s canal and subsequently into the episcleral vessels. This passage is named the conventional pathway. Aqueous humor is also chained by a uveoscleral pathway across the ciliary body into the supraciliary space. 

Figure 5.2. Drawing of tlie stiuctures of tlie angle of tlie AC and ciliary body. SL, Schwalbe s line SS, scleral spur IP, iris process TM, Ua-becular mashwork C, cornea I, iris SC, Schlemm s canal S, sclera CB, ciliar y body Z, zonular- fibers. (IllusUation from Ocular- Anatomy, Embryology and Teratology 1982, used witli permission from Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA.)...

Concomitant preparation of the Descemet s membrane (central to the Schwalbe s line) combined with a deep sclerectomy (actually a deep sclerocornectomy) leads to the formation of a small aqueous pool in the scleral sheath which empties... 

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