The corneal epithelium is the outermost layer of the cornea, five to seven cells thick. It is smooth, transparent and renews itself every 7-10 days from stem cells at the limbus.
| Location | Front surface of the cornea, beneath the tear film |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Long and short ciliary nerves (ophthalmic nerve, trigeminal) |
| Blood Supply | None (avascular; nourished by tears, aqueous humour and limbal vessels) |
Forms a smooth optical surface and a barrier against infection and water entry.
It is richly supplied with nerve endings, so a scratch (corneal abrasion) is very painful but usually heals within days. Contact lens overuse can lead to infection. Recurrent erosion occurs when the epithelium fails to stick to its basement membrane.
A scratch of the epithelium causing pain, watering and light sensitivity.
Repeated breakdown of the epithelium, often on waking, after an earlier injury or dystrophy.
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