The endothelial cells employ a sodium-potassium-ATPase pump to maintain tissue clarity by achieving an appropriate level of corneal dehydration. Descemet’s membrane and the single-layer corneal endothelium form the innermost layers. It is made up of intertwined fibrils of collagen lamellae that provide structure to the cornea. 63 The corneal stroma is the largest layer, accounting for 90% of the total corneal thickness. Some postulate that it may act as a physical barrier to protect the subepithelial nerve plexus, thereby facilitating rapid stromal wound healing, recovery of anterior corneal transparency and restoration of epithelial innervation after trauma.

62 Bowman’s membrane, which lies under the epithelium and its associated basement membrane, has a function that is unclear in the literature. 6 The outermost epithelial layer provides a smooth refracting surface as well as a barrier against infection. The cornea is an approximately 0.50mm thick avascular tissue with five distinct layers. The Review Education Group planners, managers and editorial staff have nothing to disclose. Managers and Editorial Staff: The PIM planners and managers have nothing to disclose. Sicks has received fees for non-CME/CE services from Alcon. Check with your local state licensing board to see if this counts toward your CE requirement for relicensure.ĭr. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited by COPE to provide continuing education to optometrists.įaculty/Editorial Board: Lindsay Sicks, OD.Ĭredit Statement: This course is COPE approved for 2 hours of CE credit. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the American Nurses Credentialing Center, to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. Target Audience: This activity is intended for optometrists engaged in the care of patients with corneal nerve dysfunction.Īccreditation Statement: In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Review Education Group. Review what treatment options are available.Discuss the ways in which various pathologies disrupt corneal nerve function.Describe the anatomy and function of the corneal nerves.Jointly provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and Review Education GroupĮducational Objectives: After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to: These ocular structures are crucial to ocular health, and knowing the conditions that affect them will help optometrists better care for their patients.Įstimated Time to Complete Activity: 2 hours The hair cells in the cochlea are the most sensitive mechanoreceptors, transducing air pressure waves into nerve signals sent to the brain.Understanding Corneal Nerve Function-and Dysfunction There are also mechanoreceptors in hairy skin. In the skin, there are four main types in glabrous (hairless) skin: For instance, in the periodontal ligament, there are mechanoreceptors that allow the jaw to relax when biting down on hard objects the mesencephalic nucleus is responsible for this reflex. Aδ fiber: Carries sensory information related to muscle spindle secondary endings, touch, and kinesthesia.Ī mechanoreceptor is a sensory receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Aβ fiber: A type of sensory nerve fiber that carries cold, pressure, and some pain signals.

adaptation: A change over time in the responsiveness of the sensory system to a constant stimulus.

receptive field: The particular region of the sensory space (e.g., the body surface, space inside the ear) in which a stimulus will trigger the firing of that neuron.

Function of nerve endings