Cornea (1) Flashcards
How many layers are there to the cornea?
Depends; if not counting tear film, 4 Epithelium Stroma Descemet's membrane Endothelium
Epithelium characteristics
5-7 layers
Hydrophobic/lipophilic barrier to drugs and fluorescein
Regular turnover
Stroma characteristics
75% water, 25% collagen
Regular (parallel) arrangement of collagen fibers
Hydrophilic/lipophobic
keratocytes
Descemet’s Membrane characteristics
BM of endothelium
Thickens with age
Endothelium characteristics
Dehydrate stroma by pumping mechanism
Monolayer of cells
Non-regenerative
Functions of the cornea
Anterior structure for globe
Protection of interior structures from injury/infection
Clear medium for vision
Refraction
Keepingthe cornea transparent
Avascular No pigment Non-keratinized epithelium Precise arrangement of collagen fibers Relatively dehydrated
Corneal innervation
CN V (trigeminal) More nerve endings in epithelium/superficial cornea Decreased sensitivity can affect healing - Brachycephalics - Sick foals - Diabetics
Axonal Reflex
Any stimulation of corneal nerves = reflex stimulation of the CN V nerve branches to anterior uveal tract
All keratitis creates some degree of reflex uveitis
Corneal ulcer = stimulation of CN V = reflex uveitis with painful ciliary body muscle spasm
- Can relieve with cycloplegic drug such as atropine
More severe the keratitis = more severe the uveitis
Epithelial loss alone heals by epithelial proliferation
Fact
Things to remember about corneal wound healing
Corneal blood vessels move at ~1mm/d
WBC move in the cornea at 8.6mm/d
Epithelial cells move at ~.6mm/d
Epithelial cells may take up to 6 wk to adhere to BM
Corneal disease states
Loss of corneal thickness
Loss of transparency
Define corneal ulcer
Scratch, wound, or defect of the cornea in which there is a loss of variable amounts of corneal tissue
Most common presenting ophthalmic condition
Corneal ulcer categories
Depth - Superficial - Stromal - Desmetocele - Full-thickness - iris prolapse Etiology - Traumatic - Infectious . Bacterial . Fungal - Immune-mediated Response to therapy - Simple - Complicated . Indolent . Melting
Simple ulcer criteria
Superficial
No infection
Heals in an appropriate amount of time (a week)
No complicating factors