Histomorphological Features of Cornea and Its Clinical Importance

The cornea is a unique biological tissue which is transparent to light and contains no blood vessels. The collagen fibers of the substantia propria are arranged into uniform layers with parallel fibers within each layer unlike the more irregular texture of collagen in the sclera and in the dermis of the skin. Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals, and provides the main organic structural component of tissues such as skin, tendon, bone, cartilage and including cornea. The cornea serves as a filter, screening out the most damaging ultraviolet rays from sunlight. The clinical affection of cornea can results in disruption of corneal clarity or refractive properties which can lead to significant visual impairment in animals as well as in human.