The corneal stroma is the thick, middle layer of the cornea, accounting for about 90% of its thickness. It’s composed of:
- Collagen fibers: Highly organized and regularly arranged collagen lamellae, which provide strength, transparency, and refractive structure.
- Kerocytes: Flattened fibroblasts scattered between the collagen fibers, involved in maintaining the extracellular matrix.
The corneal stroma’s unique structure and organization are crucial for:
- Corneal transparency
- Refractive properties
- Mechanical strength
The precise arrangement of collagen fibers in the stroma is essential for maintaining corneal clarity and function.
