Corneal edema
Overview The corneal stroma accounts for 90% of the corneal thickness. The corneal stroma is predominantly composed of water (78% water or 3.5 g H 2 O/g dry weight). Its dry…
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Corneal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis
Overview Corneal neovascularization (NV) and lymphangiogenesis are sight-threatening conditions that introduce vascular conditions into the normally avascular cornea ( Box 10.1 ). Corneal NV is induced by various stimuli and…
Keratoconus
Clinical background Key symptoms and signs Keratoconus (KC) is a slowly progressive, noninflammatory condition in which there is central thinning of the cornea, changing it from dome-shaped to cone-shaped. KC…
Corneal graft rejection
Clinical background Corneal transplantation is the most common and successful form of human solid-tissue transplantation, which is widely practiced as a sight-restorative therapy for patients with congenital or acquired corneal…
Infectious keratitis
Infectious keratitis is characterized by corneal inflammation and defects caused by replicating bacteria, fungi, or protozoa. These infections can progress rapidly with devastating consequences, including corneal scarring and loss of…
Genetics and mechanisms of hereditary corneal dystrophies
Overview Over the past century, a number of corneal diseases have been documented with detailed family histories suggesting autosomal-dominant, autosomal-recessive, and X-linked recessive hereditary patterns. Modern genetic techniques such as…
Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy
Clinical background Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a bilateral, asymmetric, slowly progressive disorder specific to the corneal endothelium, resulting in decreased visual function and in some cases pain, secondary…
Wound healing after laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy
Clinical background The safety and predictability of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) have improved since these procedures were introduced, but the corneal wound-healing response remains a…
Abnormalities of corneal wound healing
Overview The human cornea consists of an outer stratified epithelium, and an inner monolayer of epithelial cells referred to as the corneal endothelium. The middle layer, or stroma, constitutes 90%…
Loss of corneal transparency
Overview Loss or reduction in corneal transparency occurs from a variety of causes, including edema resulting from diseases such as Fuchs’ dystrophy and bullous keratopathy, scarring resulting from wound healing,…
