Cornea Information

The Cornea is an amazingly complex piece of the human body.

It contains multiple layers and is less than ¼ of the size of the human eyeball. It is a clear layer that rests on the eyeball's outermost layer.

A healthy one is shaped like a dome and it covers the frontal part of the eye. Even though it has a clear appearance, there are various cells and proteins that help it function.

Since it has no blood vessels to protect it from infection, it receives most of its nutrition through tears and the Aqueous Humour (a thick water-like substance) behind it.

In order for the eye to refract light accordingly, the cornea must remain clear in nature. If there was a tiny blood vessel or any cloudy/opaque areas inside it, it could greatly effect your vision.

There are five layers to the cornea. Each contains a very crucial function in order for the whole thing to work.

• The Epithelium layer is the exterior layer. This layer helps Protect Your Eyesight from any foreign substances from entering in to the eye such as water, dust, material, and any bacteria. It also uses a smooth platform to help take in oxygen and other cell nutrients from tears. The layer then takes what it has absorbs and spreads it throughout the area. There are a lot of sensitive nerve endings in this layer that let you know when it is in pain from being touched or scratched.
• Bowman's layer lies directly underneath the Epithelium layer. It is comprised of a clear sheet of tissue. It contains lots of tough layered protein fibers. If these were to ever become injured, a scar will form and cause some Loss of Vision.
• A layer called Stroma comes next. It is latterly about 90% of the area's mass. It mostly contains water, but it also has sturdy protein fibers. These are the same fibers that lie in the Bowman's layer. It is these strong protein fibers that give it its elasticity, strength, and form. The way they are shaped and arranged is highly important for them being able to conduct light properly.
• Descemet's Membrane is the fourth layer. It is a durable sheet of tissue that creates a barrier to any injury and infection. They contain a different form of protein fibers than the previous two layers. Whenever it takes damage, it is able to quickly repair itself due to the endothelial cells that are created on the filth layer.
• Endothelium is the last layer. It is very thin in nature and is the main layer to help keep it transparent from liquid. Fluid typically leaks into the Stroma from the Epithelium (the first layer) of the cornea. The Endothelium sucks all of this out to help the stroma become clear. If the Endothelium was defective, the Stroma will fill up with water and become cloudy which would cause people to go blind. The Endothelium, once damaged, does not regenerate in any way.

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Cornea Information to the Visual Process

Cornea to Protect Your Eyesight