Abstract The intraocular pressure is dependent upon the aqueous humour formation by the ciliary body and on the outflow through the trabecular meshwork localized in the anterior chamber angle of the eye. In the ciliary body epithelium the active sodium transport has been demonstrated and effects of mineralocorticoids has been suggested but not yet equivocally confirmed. Outflow facility of the trabecular meshwork is connected with the presence of acid mucopolysaccharides. Clinical overdosage of glucocorticoids results in an increase of intraocular pressure, so-called steroid glaucoma. It is explained by the action of glucocorticoids on the stabilization of lysosomal enzymes needed for physiological decomposition of these macromolecular substances. Disbalance of oestrogen supply may lead to disorder in intraocular pressure, too. The occurrence of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, oestrogens and testosterone of endogenous origin in aqueous humour, the metabolism of these hormones and evidence for formation of steroid-receptor complexes is presented.