What are function of cornea?

As already mentioned, the clear cornea allows light to enter the eye for vision. But it has another very important function as well — the cornea provides approximately 65 to 75 percent of the focusing power of the eye.

In addition to allowing light to enter the eye and providing most of the focusing power of the eye, individual parts of the cornea have specialized functions:

1. Corneal epithelium. The corneal epithelium provides an optimal surface for the tear film to spread across the surface of the eye to keep it moist and healthy and to maintain clear, stable vision.
2. Bowman's layer. The dense nature of Bowman's layer helps prevent corneal scratches from penetrating into the corneal stroma.Corneal abrasions that are limited to the outer epithelial layer generally heal without scarring; but scratches that penetrate Bowman's layer and the corneal stroma typically leave permanent scars that can affect vision.
3. Corneal endothelium. The single layer of cells that forms the endothelium maintains the fluid content within the cornea. Damage to the corneal endothelium can cause swelling (edema) that can affect vision and corneal health.

There are several common conditions that affect the cornea.

1. Contact lens related disease
2. Keratoconus and other ectatic disorders (keratoglobus, pellucid marginal degeneration)
3. Dry eyes and Superficial punctate keratitis (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
4. Post LASIK ectasia and complications
5. Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and other corneal dystrophies (including lattice, granular, macular, and map-dot fingerprint)
6. Pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy
7. Cogan Syndrome
8. Stevens Johnson Syndrome
9. Herpes Simplex Keratitis
10. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
11. Interstitial keratitis
12. Peripheral ulcerative keratitis
13. Allergic conjunctivitis
14. Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis
15. Bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infection of the cornea
16. Chemical burns
17. Trauma to the cornea, conjunctiva and anterior segment including iris trauma

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