Corneal and conjunctival epithelium

The **corneal and conjunctival epithelium** refer to two distinct, continuous, nonkeratinized, stratified epithelial cell layers that cover the ocular surface of the eye. The **corneal epithelium** is centrally located, highly specialized for transparency, and consists of 5–7 layers of epithelial cells, enabling light entry while serving a critical barrier function. The **conjunctival epithelium** lines the white (sclera) part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids, consists of 3–5 layers, and contains goblet cells that contribute mucins to the tear film, supporting lubrication and immune protection of the ocular surface. These epithelia are maintained by unique populations of stem cells (limbal stem cells for the corneal epithelium and epithelial stem cells in the fornical conjunctiva for conjunctiva). Dysfunctions or diseases affecting these epithelia contribute to a range of ocular surface disorders, infections, inflammatory conditions, and neoplasms (tumors), but the tissue as a whole is not itself a molecular receptor or classic therapeutic target.

Physical protection or lubrication (artificial tears); Anti-inflammatory/modulation of immune response (corticosteroids, cyclosporine); Antimicrobial actions; Inhibition of cell proliferation (e.g., mitomycin C inhibits DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing epithelial neoplastic cells).