The human cornea is approximately 11.5 mm in diameter and varies in thickness, being 0.5–0.6 mm thick at the center and 0.6–0.8 mm thick at the periphery.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of the cornea's dimensions:
- Diameter: Roughly 11.5 millimeters. This is the width of the cornea across its surface.
- Central Thickness: Typically between 0.5 and 0.6 millimeters. The center of the cornea is usually thinner than the edges.
- Peripheral Thickness: Usually ranges from 0.6 to 0.8 millimeters. The edges of the cornea are thicker, providing structural support.
Understanding these dimensions is crucial in various ophthalmological procedures and diagnoses. For instance, knowing the corneal thickness is essential for refractive surgeries like LASIK. The cornea's size and shape also play a role in determining the fit of contact lenses. Its unique properties, including transparency, lack of blood vessels (avascularity), and immune privilege, make it a specialized tissue in the eye.
