Michael Tappin Consultant Ophthalmologist
Surrey Eye Clinic
The Cornea
What is the function of the cornea?
The cornea is essentially the ' window' of the eye. It represents the clear outer surface which forms the front of the eye. The cornea is made up of several layers. The epithelium is the surface layer and the endothelium is the innermost layer. The two layers are separated by the stroma, which helps maintain the shape of the eye. The endothelial cells are water pumps and are responsible for maintaining the transparency of the cornea. If they become damaged, the cornea will become water-logged and cloudy and vision will be impaired. Patients with advanced endothelial cell failure may develop painful blisters under the epithelial cell layer, called bullae.
Corneal Layers
Endothelium
Collagen fibres within Stroma
Decemet's
____membrane
Bowman's____ membrane
Cornea
Epithelium ___
What can cause corneal odema or a cloudy cornea?
Surgery can occasionally result in a damaged endothelial cell layer. The risks of this are much lower than they used to be, as new techniques and equipment have resulted in less surgical trauma. A condition called Fuch's Endothelial Dystrophy can predispose to corneal decompensation. A corneal transplant. is the surgical treatment for corneal decompensation.
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