Spectral Transmission of the Human Corneal Layers

We have assessed the spectral transmittance of the different layers of the human cornea in the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and near-infrared (IR) spectral ranges. Seventy-four corneal sample donors were included in the study. Firstly, the corneal transmittance was measured using a spectrophotometer....

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Main Authors: Cristina Peris-Martínez, Mari Carmen García-Domene, Mariola Penadés, María Josefa Luque, Ester Fernández-López, José María Artigas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/19/4490
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author Cristina Peris-Martínez
Mari Carmen García-Domene
Mariola Penadés
María Josefa Luque
Ester Fernández-López
José María Artigas
author_facet Cristina Peris-Martínez
Mari Carmen García-Domene
Mariola Penadés
María Josefa Luque
Ester Fernández-López
José María Artigas
author_sort Cristina Peris-Martínez
collection DOAJ
description We have assessed the spectral transmittance of the different layers of the human cornea in the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and near-infrared (IR) spectral ranges. Seventy-four corneal sample donors were included in the study. Firstly, the corneal transmittance was measured using a spectrophotometer. Then, all samples were fixed for histopathological analysis, which allowed us to measure the thickness of each corneal layer. Finally, the absorption coefficients of the corneal layers were computed by a linear model reproducing total transmittance. The results show that corneal transmission was almost in unity at the visible and IR ranges but not at the UV range, in which the layer with higher transmission is Descemet’s membrane, whereas the stroma showed the lowest transmittance. Regarding the absorption coefficient, the most absorptive tissue was Bowman’s layer, followed by the endothelium. Variations on transmittance due to changes in the stroma, Bowman’s layer, or Descemet layer were simulated, and important transmission increases were found due to stroma and Bowman changes. To conclude, we have developed a method to measure the transmittance and thickness for each corneal layer. All corneal layers absorb UV light to a greater or lesser extent. The absorption coefficient is higher for Bowman’s layer, while the stroma is the layer with the lowest transmittance due to its thickness. Variations in stroma thickness or changes in the corneal tissue of Bowman’s layer or the endothelium layer due to some pathologies or surgeries could affect, to a greater or lesser degree, the total transmission of the cornea. Thus, obtaining accurate absorption coefficients for different layers would help us to predict and compensate these changes.
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spelling doaj.art-d92099b412f44d73a0885c97c18a64462023-11-22T16:20:11ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832021-09-011019449010.3390/jcm10194490Spectral Transmission of the Human Corneal LayersCristina Peris-Martínez0Mari Carmen García-Domene1Mariola Penadés2María Josefa Luque3Ester Fernández-López4José María Artigas5Anterior Segment and Cornea and External Eye Diseases Unit, FISABIO-Oftalmología Médica (FOM), Av. Pío Baroja, 12, E-46015 Valencia, SpainAnterior Segment and Cornea and External Eye Diseases Unit, FISABIO-Oftalmología Médica (FOM), Av. Pío Baroja, 12, E-46015 Valencia, SpainAnterior Segment and Cornea and External Eye Diseases Unit, FISABIO-Oftalmología Médica (FOM), Av. Pío Baroja, 12, E-46015 Valencia, SpainAnterior Segment and Cornea and External Eye Diseases Unit, FISABIO-Oftalmología Médica (FOM), Av. Pío Baroja, 12, E-46015 Valencia, SpainAnterior Segment and Cornea and External Eye Diseases Unit, FISABIO-Oftalmología Médica (FOM), Av. Pío Baroja, 12, E-46015 Valencia, SpainAnterior Segment and Cornea and External Eye Diseases Unit, FISABIO-Oftalmología Médica (FOM), Av. Pío Baroja, 12, E-46015 Valencia, SpainWe have assessed the spectral transmittance of the different layers of the human cornea in the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and near-infrared (IR) spectral ranges. Seventy-four corneal sample donors were included in the study. Firstly, the corneal transmittance was measured using a spectrophotometer. Then, all samples were fixed for histopathological analysis, which allowed us to measure the thickness of each corneal layer. Finally, the absorption coefficients of the corneal layers were computed by a linear model reproducing total transmittance. The results show that corneal transmission was almost in unity at the visible and IR ranges but not at the UV range, in which the layer with higher transmission is Descemet’s membrane, whereas the stroma showed the lowest transmittance. Regarding the absorption coefficient, the most absorptive tissue was Bowman’s layer, followed by the endothelium. Variations on transmittance due to changes in the stroma, Bowman’s layer, or Descemet layer were simulated, and important transmission increases were found due to stroma and Bowman changes. To conclude, we have developed a method to measure the transmittance and thickness for each corneal layer. All corneal layers absorb UV light to a greater or lesser extent. The absorption coefficient is higher for Bowman’s layer, while the stroma is the layer with the lowest transmittance due to its thickness. Variations in stroma thickness or changes in the corneal tissue of Bowman’s layer or the endothelium layer due to some pathologies or surgeries could affect, to a greater or lesser degree, the total transmission of the cornea. Thus, obtaining accurate absorption coefficients for different layers would help us to predict and compensate these changes.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/19/4490transmittancecornealayerultravioletabsorption coefficient
spellingShingle Cristina Peris-Martínez
Mari Carmen García-Domene
Mariola Penadés
María Josefa Luque
Ester Fernández-López
José María Artigas
Spectral Transmission of the Human Corneal Layers
Journal of Clinical Medicine
transmittance
cornea
layer
ultraviolet
absorption coefficient
title Spectral Transmission of the Human Corneal Layers
title_full Spectral Transmission of the Human Corneal Layers
title_fullStr Spectral Transmission of the Human Corneal Layers
title_full_unstemmed Spectral Transmission of the Human Corneal Layers
title_short Spectral Transmission of the Human Corneal Layers
title_sort spectral transmission of the human corneal layers
topic transmittance
cornea
layer
ultraviolet
absorption coefficient
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/19/4490
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AT mariajosefaluque spectraltransmissionofthehumancorneallayers
AT esterfernandezlopez spectraltransmissionofthehumancorneallayers
AT josemariaartigas spectraltransmissionofthehumancorneallayers