The influence of cerebrospinal fluid pressure on the lamina cribrosa tissue pressure gradient.

Abstract

These results show that cerebrospinal fluid pressure largely determines retrolaminar tissue pressure; hence, along with intraocular pressure, it is of major importance in setting the translaminar tissue pressure gradient. Results also demonstrate hydrostatic continuity between the optic nerve subarachnoid space and the lateral ventricle. That the translaminar pressure gradient can vary independently of intraocular pressure may be of importance in understanding the pathophysiology of glaucoma.