It collects aqueous humor from the anterior chamber and delivers it into the episcleral blood vessels.

[1][2][3] On the inside of the canal, nearest to the aqueous humor, it is covered and held open by the trabecular meshwork.

[1] In adults, the administration of the lymphangiogenic growth factor VEGFC enlarged the Schlemm's canal, which was associated with a reduction in intraocular pressure.

[7][1][2][3] Canaloplasty is a procedure to restore the eye’s natural drainage system to provide sustained reduction of intraocular pressure.

Though the mechanism by which SLT functions is not well understood, it has been shown in trials to be as effective as the older Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty.

However, because SLT is performed using a much lower power laser, it does not appear to affect the structure of the trabecular meshwork (based on electron microscopy) to the same extent, so retreatment may be possible if the effects from the original treatment should begin wear off, although this has not been proven in clinical studies.

[citation needed] If SLT is successful, it will stimulate metabolic change in pigmented cells in the trabecular meshwork.

This allows more aqueous humour to flow into Schlemm's canal from the anterior cavity, reducing the intraocular pressure and therefore lowering the risk of glaucoma, or further damage to the optic nerve, due to overpressure in the eye.