THE CORNEA THE CORNEA IS LIKE A TRANSPARENT WINDOW COVERING THE FRONT OF THE EYE allowing light waves, reflected off objects, to enter the interior of the eye defining our vision. The corneal surface also plays a protective role by keeping foreign particles from entering the eye. The transparency, as well as the smoothness and physical shape of the cornea, is vitally important to create precise vision. While the cornea is subject to irritants and infections protecting the eye, the disturbance of the surface or its clarity can impair vision. Minor scarring, clouding or distortion can have dramatic effects on our sight. The cornea may appear to be one transparent membrane, but in actuality is composed of distinct and differently functioning layers of tissue. The outer layer, the epithelium, acts as a barrier to infection protecting the middle layer, the stroma, made up of collagens and proteins. The delicate inner layer known as the endothelium serves to contain moisture flow within the eye and prevent water from hydrating the cornea, which blurs vision. Our Practice l Services l Publications l Map & Directions l Contact Us l Privacy Policy Cataracts l Cornea and External Diseases l Corneal Transplants l Refractive Errors Refractive Surgery l Optics All contents © copyright 2002-2004 Corneal Consultants of Colorado, P.C. All rights reserved. Development by Mindshare HDV.