The cornea is the transparent, avascular (without blood vessels), dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye. It plays a crucial role in refracting (bending) light and protecting the eye.
Key characteristics:
- Transparency: The cornea is clear and transparent, allowing light to pass through.
- Structure: It consists of five layers:
- Epithelium (outermost layer)
- Bowman’s layer
- Stroma (thickest layer)
- Descemet’s membrane
- Endothelium (innermost layer)
- Function: The cornea:
- Refracts light, accounting for most of the eye’s focusing power
- Protects the eye from external damage
- Maintains the shape of the eye
- Sensitivity: The cornea is highly sensitive to touch, temperature, and chemicals.
- Nourishment: The cornea receives nutrients and oxygen from tears and the aqueous humor.
Importance: The cornea is essential for clear vision, and any damage, disease, or irregularity can significantly impact visual acuity.
