Question: Name the layers of the cornea and their function.

Answer: You can actually devide the cornea into 5 layers, these include:

1. Epithelium Layer: This is the surface layer of cells. They provide barrier function and a smooth surface for the tear film.
2. Bowmans Layer: A tough layer of basement membrane right under the epithelium. This layer is tough, and keeps the cornea from swelling forward … which means when the cornea swells, it must do so backwards into the anterior chamber.
3. Stroma: composed of highly arranged collagen fibers and supporting keratocytes, the cornea stroma provides the majority of the cornea. Injuries at this level can scar.
4. Descemet’s Layer: An inner layer of basement membrane. This layer is important for the health of endothelial cells. One of the leading needs for cornea transplant is from a dystrophy of Descemet’s layer called Fuch’s dystrophy.
5. Endothelium: The Endothelium is a crucial layer as it works as a barrier and a pump that keeps the cornea from getting too wet.

Most of these layers are easy to remember: especially the epithelium, stroma, and endothelium. To help you remember the location of the other layers: remember that Descemet’s is Deep, while Bowman’s is up in the BellTower.

YOU HAVE A VERY MUCH IMPORTENT INFORMATION, THIS INFORMATION IS RELEVANT PLEASE KEEP THE STANDARD UP. Comment by Bongeka Koto — April 7, 2009 @ 2:31 pm Oh dear! It’s called the cornea, not retina! Editors Note: Right you are! I’ve fixed that typo … Thanks for noticing! Comment by Oops — May 7, 2009 @ 7:43 am just wanna ask my cornea is damage i have a blurry sight an optho clean it!! just wanna ask if cornea can heal itself!! il w8 ur ans in my email add ll10zai35ll@yahoo.com.ph thx Comment by marc — August 10, 2009 @ 8:06 pm dear, i required models or pictures of amino acids transporters in the cornea or in corneal layers..for teaching purposes can you provide me? Comment by sachin — January 18, 2010 @ 2:33 am to remember…. EBCDE like ABCDE from the alphabet…for easily remembered… Comment by Patchintero — January 30, 2010 @ 9:47 am remember ABCDE A= sufcace epithelium B= bowmans membrane Comment by satish koirala — March 23, 2010 @ 3:47 am C= connective tissue Stroma D= descemet’s membrane E= endothelium……….. Comment by satish koirala — March 23, 2010 @ 3:48 am question- can bowmans layer regenerate if damaged? thanks Comment by john scott — February 28, 2011 @ 10:56 pm IF THIS LAYER -BOWMANS LAYER- IS DAMAGED AS BY A SCRATCH OR CUT IT DOES NOT REGENERATE TO ITS ORIGINAL FORM AND THUS SCARRING OCCURS. Comment by DR.SYL. EDO — June 12, 2011 @ 3:50 am thanks very much, you information has worked much for mylevel Comment by loku simaya — September 1, 2011 @ 8:26 am how to measure iop in hazy and abraded cornea in cases of chemical burns Comment by vaishali — November 5, 2011 @ 12:27 pm just like ABCDE… Comment by kinzang — December 1, 2011 @ 8:28 am A very nice doc for studying & teaching. Thanks v.m !! Comment by demelash — December 27, 2011 @ 6:56 am iop measurement in hazy,abraded cornea by non-contact air-puff tonometer. Comment by asad — December 29, 2011 @ 10:36 am Thanks Comment by Dr Obechi — January 8, 2012 @ 6:01 pm Leave a comment Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website