Anatomy of cornea

1. ANATOMY OF CORNEA

4. DIMENSIONS
• The anterior and posterior radii of curvature are 7.8 mm and 6.5 mm.
• The central corneal thickness is 0.52 mm whereas periphery is 0.67
mm thick.
• Central corneal thickness has direct influence in IOP measurement.
• The central 5 mm of cornea forms the most powerful refracting
surface.

6. 1. EPITHELIUM
• 50-90 micrometre thick
• Stratified squamous type of epithelium
• Consists of 5-6 layers
• Only the cells adjacent to basement membrane can divide and
proliferate.
• The source of this renewal is stem cells located 0.5 to 1 mm wide
band around corneal periphery.

11. 5. DESCEMET’S membrane
• A strong homogenous layer.
• Basement membrane of endothelium.
• Made up of collagen and glycoprotein.
• It can regenerate.
• Resistant to chemical agents, infection and pathological processes.
• On posterior surface it shows Hassel Henle bodies, which increase
with age.

12. 6. ENDOTHELIUM
• Single layer of flat polygonal cells.
• At birth cell density is 6000 cells/sqmm.
• With increasing age density is reduced to about 2500 cells/sqmm in
adults and 2000 cells/ sqmm in old age.
• The gap left by the dying cells is filled by the enlargement of
remaining cells which is known as Polymegathism.