Corneal Endothelium an Important Layer for Corneal Transparency and Its Assessment– a Review
E. Pateras *
Biomedical Department, Course of Optics and Optometry, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This current study aimed to review the importance and assessment of corneal endothelium in terms of corneal transparency. The study revealed that the normal metabolic activity is necessary to maintain the temperature of the cornea, to renew its cells, to support the exchange processes of nutrients and to maintain its transparency. The endothelium is the inner layer of the cornea. The main function of the endothelium is to remove fluid from the corneal stroma, thus allowing the cornea to remain transparent. Younger patients recover relatively more easily after endothelial injury because they have a larger number of endothelial cells compared to older patients. Knowledge of the number and condition of endothelial cells are crucial for a number of decisions that the ophthalmic surgeon is called upon to make usually before surgery and Endothelial assessment health is a criterion for choosing a surgical method.
Keywords: Cornea, surgery, transparency