Cornea Flashcards
What are the 4 layers of the cornea?
Epithelium
Stroma
Descemets membrane
Endothelium
How does the cornea stay clear?
Avascular Non-myelinated nerves Dehydrated - epithelium (barrier to tear film) -endothelium (active pump and barrier to aqueous humor) Ordered cell arrangement
How does the epithelium heal?
Epithelialization
Hemidesomosmes dreate
Epithelium set up to slide
Rapid cell division from the limbus—> slide to cover the ulcer
Epithelium becomes fixed to stroma as hemidesmososmes form
Takes 7 days to complete
How does a stromal ulcer heal?
Stromal cells (keratocytes) transform into contractile cells
Cells fill the defect
Ulcer then ‘epithelializes’
Stromal contracture causes disorganization of the ordered collagen, resulting in scar
What do you call a non—staining depression of the cornea?
Facet
— occurs when epithelium slides over remodeled stroma before it has become level with the surrounding epithelium
How does a descemetocele heal?
Vascular ingrowth = takes a long time
Scar formation (takes weeks to months)
Eventually the ulcer will re-epithelialize
Blue corneal opacity is caused by?
Edema
— epithelial or endothelial barrier disruption
Degree of corneal edema depends on what factors ?
Geographic size of the ulcer
Depth of ulcer
Reflex uveitis is present or not
What are causes of a generalized reduced function of the corneal endothelial barrier, resulting in a generalized edema?
Glaucoma
Uveitis
Red corneal opacity indicated?
Corneal neovascularization (can be superficial or deep)
Superficial —> granulation tissue and ghost vessels
Deep —> ciliary flush
What stimuli can induce superficial neovascularization?
KCS
Eyelid conformation
Hair abnormalities (entropion, distichia, trichiasis)
-> vessels move toward the offending stimulus
What do you call a dense, raised collection of superficial vessels on the cornea due to a chronic stimuli?
Granulation tissue
What are ghost vessels?
Non-perfused, empty vessels
Occurs when the stimulus/irritant has been removed (eg when a corneal ulcer)
What stimuli can cause a deep neovascularization ?
Uvititis
Glaucoma
Deep corneal inflammation/ulceration
What are causes of a white with yellow/green corneal opacity?
White blood cell infiltration
Eg deep stromal abscess or hypopyon due to reflex uveitis
What are causes of a white withe gray/wispy cornea?
Fibrosis
Eg dogs with healed corneal ulcer
What are causes of a crystalline or chalky white corneal opacity?
Mineral or lipid
- dystrophy
- degeneration
“Sparkly” opacities to the cornea are due to?
Corneal dystrophy = lipid deposits
T/F: corneal degeneration can be lipid or mineral deposits and often ulcerated
True