Researchers discover new body part in the eye

Close look identifies new body part in the eye

14/06/2013

The human eye is richer by one part of the body than previously thought. Apparently, countless researchers have overlooked a sixth layer in the cornea. So far only five corneal layers were known.

Eye has six layers in the cornea
Professor Harminder Dua from the University of Nottingham ventured to look closely and reported on research findings in the journal „Ophthalmology. "According to this, the cornea consists of six instead of five layers „Dua“-Layer, which is only 15 microns thin, discovered the researchers by using air with the „Big bubble“-Technique in donor eyes blew. „There is a new, well-defined, cell-less, strong layer in front of the Descemet membrane in the cornea“, explains Dua. „This layer was cellless, measuring 10.15 ± 3.6 microns, consisting of five to eight lamellae of predominantly type-1 collagen bundles arranged in transverse, longitudinal and oblique directions.“

By discovering the sixth corneal layer, future operations such as corneal transplantation could become safer and easier. (Ag)

Picture: Uwe Wagschal