Physiology of Cornea and Tear Film Flashcards
What are the layers of the cornea starting most anterior?
Epithelium (55um), Bowmans layer (5um), Stroma (485um), Descemets membrane (10um), Endothelium (5um)
Focusing system of eye?
cornea, aqueous, iris, crystalline lens, vitreous
Imaging system of eye
retina, optic nerve/tract, visual cortex
How does cornea anatomically stay transparent
avascular, non pigmented cells, un-myelinated nerves, optical surface (tear film)
*collagen fibril orientation: equal diameter and separation. Specific arrangement generating constructive interface
Epithelium for transparency
semi permeable membrane
tears/epithelium:
- Na+ movement by passive diffusion
- Cl- actively pumped to tears, creates water gradient towards tears
epithelium/stroma:
- Requires energy Na+K+ATPase transporter
Endothelium for transparency
permeable membrane
aqueous humour to stroma:
transports glucose, amino acids and nutrients driven by IOP and stroma pressure
Stroma to Aqueous Humour:
- pumps fluid into aqueous humour
- Bicarbonate pump
- Carbonic anhydrase within cell
- Na+K+ATPase pump
- lateral cell walla
Corneal Function - Metabolism
energy needed to maintain corneal hydration
epithelium –> tears passive (osmosis)
Stroma –> epithelium active
what is glucose stored as?
glycogen in epithelial cells
what is glycolysis?
enzymatic breakdown of glucose to pyruvate and energy
oxygen needed for aerobic metabolism
Epithelial function - nutrient source
nutrient supply via tear film + aqueous
glucose –> epithelial glucose from AqHumour (diffusion through stroma and endothelium)
Oxygen –> no blood vessels so mostly atmospheric diffusion from tears. When eyelids closed palpebral conjunctiva is source
Aerobic Epithelial Function
glycolysis via two mechanisms:
Krebs cycle –> conversion of pyruvate by mitochondria lead to generating ATP (energy)
Pentose phosphate pathway –> oxidises glucose to generate NADPH, fatty acid synthesis, glycolysis
Anaerobic epithelial function
glycolysis via two anaerobic mechanisms:
- pentose phosphate pathway. Oxidises glucose to generate NADPH, fatty acid synthesis and glycolysis
Anaerobic pathway produces pyruvate and lactate that breaks down CO2 and H20. Increased acidity, cellular damage, dysfunction
Endothelial function -metabolism
oxygen delivery via AqHumour. Independent of eyelid closure
Glucose vis AqHumour
Glycolysis and ATP generated mostly from Krebs cycle. High density of mitochondria
Uses alot of energy due to high metabolic demand for ion transport
Corneal function - Defence
epithelium major defence mechanism:
- absence of vascular system
- tight junctions and tear film
Epithelium turnover
rapid wound healing. 24-48 hours
epithelial cell migration, monolayer slides over wound within 5 hours
cell proliferation at the limbus to support migration
cell adhesion, rapid from plaque adhesion to hemidesmosomal complexes
keratocytes (fibroblats) dormant until compromise (injury, inflammation)