Is the active secretion of aqueous considered a pressure dependent or pressure independent process?

The active secretion of aqueous humor is considered a pressure-independent process. This means that the production and secretion of aqueous humor occur regardless of intraocular pressure (IOP) levels. The ciliary body, particularly the ciliary processes, is responsible for this active secretion, which involves the movement of ions and water across the epithelial cells, a process driven primarily by metabolic activity and energy expenditure rather than the pressure within the eye.

In this context, while intraocular pressure is a crucial factor that affects overall eye health and can influence the rate of aqueous drainage, it does not directly dictate the active secretion mechanism. Therefore, even if the pressure in the eye increases, the ciliary body can continue to actively secrete aqueous humor, making it a pressure-independent process.

This distinction is essential for understanding conditions like glaucoma, where the regulation of aqueous humor outflow and its impact on IOP is a central concern, but does not alter the fundamental process of how aqueous humor is produced.