| Cornea | |
|---|---|
 Schematic diagram of the right human eye showing the cornea as separated from the sclera by the corneal limbus | |
| Details | |
| Part of | Front of eye |
| System | Visual system |
| Function | Refract light |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | cornea |
| MeSH | D003315 |
| TA98 | A15.2.02.012 |
| TA2 | 6744 |
| FMA | 58238 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Along with the anterior chamber and lens, the cornea refracts light, accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical power.[1][2] In humans, the refractive power of the cornea is approximately 43 dioptres.[3] The cornea can be reshaped by surgical procedures such as LASIK.[4]
While the cornea contributes most of the eye's focusing power, its focus is fixed. Accommodation (the refocusing of light to better view near objects) is accomplished by changing the geometry of the lens. Medical terms related to the cornea often start with the prefix "kerat-" from the Greek word κέρας, horn.
- ^ Cassin, B.; Solomon, S. (1990). Dictionary of Eye Terminology. Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company.[page needed]
- ^ Goldstein, E. Bruce (2007). Sensation & Perception (7th ed.). Canada: Thompson Wadsworth. ISBN 9780534558109.[page needed]
- ^ Najjar, Dany. "Clinical optics and refraction". Archived from the original on 2012-05-29.[unreliable medical source?]
- ^ Finn, Peter (20 December 2012). "Medical Mystery: Preparation for surgery revealed cause of deteriorating eyesight". The Washington Post.