Corneal epithelium and corneal stroma

The corneal epithelium and corneal stroma are the primary anatomical layers of the anterior eye, responsible for maintaining transparency and providing the majority of the eye's refractive power (1.3.1, 1.3.4). The epithelium acts as a highly regulated barrier against environmental insults and pathogens, while the stroma provides structural rigidity through a complex, organized matrix of collagen and proteoglycans (1.3.2, 1.3.3). These layers engage in significant cross-talk via cytokines and growth factors, such as IL-1 and PDGF, which is essential for homeostasis and wound healing (1.1.2, 1.4.1). Diseases such as corneal dystrophies, persistent epithelial defects, and keratitis can disrupt these layers, leading to opacification and vision loss (1.2.1, 1.2.5). Drugs like cenegermin (recombinant NGF) target the epithelium to promote healing in neurotrophic keratitis, while others like losartan are investigated for their ability to reduce stromal scarring by inhibiting myofibroblast formation (1.4.2, 1.4.3). Additionally, certain systemic medications like amiodarone can cause deposits in these layers, leading to side effects such as vortex keratopathy (1.4.4).

Other names

Corneal layersAnterior corneaCorneal tissue

Therapeutic agents targeting these tissues typically modulate growth factor signaling (e.g., NGF, EGF) to promote epithelial repair, or inhibit TGF-beta and PDGF pathways to prevent stromal fibrosis and scarring.