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Cornea

The cornea is the curved, transparent layer that covers the front part of the eye. Together with the lens the cornea refracts light and consequently helps the eye to focus, though unlike the lens, the curvature of the cornea cannot be adjusted to tune this focus.

The cornea consists of 5 layers. 1st is a thin epithelial layer; these cells are fast-growing and easily regenerated, and are kept moist by the tears. 2nd layer is a tough layer called Boman's membrane that protects the cornea. 3rd is the stroma, a much thicker layer of transparent fibers. The stroma is responsible for most of the focusing; if it is damaged the cornea can lose its transparency and cause problems in vision. 4th is Descemet's membrane, thin layer that consists no cells. 5th is corneal endothelium, that is simple squamous epithelium. See also: eye, visual perception

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