Layers of the cornea

1. Layers of the Cornea

2. Cornea Provides greatest amount of refractive power to the eye Elliptical in shape Has 5 layers

3. Epithelium Outermost layer of the cornea Smooth corneal surface Cells regenerate (only layer of the cornea that does this)

4. Bowman’s Layer Second layer of the cornea Is made up of a dense fibrous sheet of collagen fibers A transition layer between the epithelium and stroma Does not regenerate

5. Stroma Accounts for 90% of total thickness (largest layer) Fibers in this layer contribute to corneal transparency

6. Descemet’s Membrane Considered basement membrane to the Endothelium Produces constantly, which means it thickens over one’s lifetime (will approximately triple in thickness over the course of your life)

7. Endothelium Innermost layer of cornea Composed of one single layer of cells Cells do not divide or replicate Separates the cornea from the anterior portion of the eye

8. Layers of the Cornea Questions??