NORMAL MORPHOPHYSIOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE CORNEA: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Resume. The cornea is a transparent, avascular, and highly innervated structure forming the anterior surface of the eye, playing a vital role in visual acuity by contributing significantly to the eye’s refractive power. This literature review provides a comprehensive overview of the normal morphophysiological and histological features of the cornea, highlighting its layered architecture, cellular components, and specialized functions. The five classical layers—epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet’s membrane, and endothelium—are discussed in detail along with the recently recognized Dua’s layer. Special attention is given to the mechanisms that maintain corneal transparency, immune privilege, and hydration balance. Understanding the normal corneal structure is crucial for identifying and managing pathological conditions and for advancing ophthalmic diagnostics and therapeutic procedures. The review integrates recent findings from histological studies and physiological models published over the past decade. Keywords: cornea, morphophysiology, corneal structure, ocular anatomy, transparency, endothelium, corneal stroma, corneal epithelium, eye histology