The human eye has a unique immune architecture and behavior. While the conjunctiva is known to have a well-defined lymphatic drainage system, the cornea, sclera, and uveal tissues were historically considered “alymphatic” and thought to be immune privileged. The very fact that the aqueous outflow channels carry a clear fluid (aqueous humor) along the outflow pathway makes it hard to ignore its lymphatic-like characteristics. The development of novel lymphatic lineage markers and expression of these markers in aqueous outflow channels and improved imaging capabilities has sparked a renewed interest in the study of ocular lymphatics. Ophthalmic lymphatic research has had a directional shift over the last decade, offering an exciting new physiological platform that needs further in-depth understanding. The evidence of a presence of distinct lymphatic channels in the human ciliary body is gaining significant traction. The uveolymphatic pathway is an alternative new route for aqueous outflow and adds a new dimension to pathophysiology and management of glaucoma. Developing novel animal models, markers, and non-invasive imaging tools to delineate the core anatomical structure and physiological functions may help pave some crucial pathways to understand disease pathophysiology and help develop novel targeted therapeutic approaches for glaucoma.

人眼具有独特的免疫结构和行为。虽然已知结膜具有明确的淋巴引流系统，但角膜、巩膜和葡萄膜组织在历史上被认为是“淋巴”并被认为具有免疫特权。房水流出通道沿流出路径携带清澈的液体（房水）这一事实使得很难忽视其淋巴样特征。新型淋巴谱系标记物的开发以及这些标记物在房水流出通道中的表达以及改进的成像能力重新激发了人们对眼淋巴管研究的兴趣。眼科淋巴研究在过去十年中发生了方向性转变，提供了一个令人兴奋的新生理平台，需要进一步深入了解。人体睫状体中存在不同淋巴管的证据越来越受到关注。葡萄膜淋巴通路是房水流出的另一种新途径，为青光眼的病理生理学和管理增加了新的维度。开发新的动物模型、标记物和非侵入性成像工具来描绘核心解剖结构和生理功能可能有助于为理解疾病病理生理学铺平一些重要途径，并有助于开发新的青光眼靶向治疗方法。