Biology: New Layer Discovered In The Cornea

The newly-discovered part of the human body is a new layer in the human cornea. It is just 15 microns in thickness (which means it is an extremely thin layer) and it is situated between the cornea stroma and the Descemet’s membrane (go and revise ya histology of the eye jooor….lol!) But do not be deceived by its thinness, it is actually very strong and can withstand two bars of pressure. It is named DUA’S LAYER, and that is because it was discovered by PROFESSOR HARMINDER S. DUA, an Indian researcher and his team at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, and the news was released hours ago. The new layer was first mentioned in May 2013 in the journal, Ophthalmology. The team was conducting transplant research on donated eyes when the discovery was made. Their discovery was confirmed by electron microscopy. The layer is rich in collagen and Professor Dua is very much excited (understandably). He says of the discovery: ”ophthalmology textbooks will literally need to be re-written.” Before now, scientists believed the cornea had just five layers: -DESCEMET’S MEMBRANE -CORNEAL EPITHELIUM -CORNEAL STROMA -BOWMAN’S LAYER -CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM So, with Dua’s layer, we now have six layers. The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye covering the iris, pupil and other structures in front. Cornea is as smooth as glass and it is very durable. It assists in protecting the eyes by regulating and focusing the amount of light that enters the eye (as an external lens) and also protects the eyes from germs, dust and ultraviolet (UV) rays. When it is damaged, it can be replaced by transplanting from those who have donated their eyes (I hear Tinubu did that, and that his eyes should be removed after death, shey you go do the same? I can give you the address of the National Eye Bank in Kaduna o SO WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS GREAT DISCOVERY? The new layer will help surgeons improve the outcome for patients who are going for corneal grafts and transplants. Before the discovery, during surgical operations on the eye, tiny air bubbles are injected into the cornea in what is called the ‘big bubble technique’. Atimes, the bubble can burst and damage the patient’s eye. But now, by injecting the bubble UNDER the Dua’s layer instead of above it, the risk of the bubble bursting is reduced. In short, it makes surgery safer. But my Good People, me I have one question wey I one knack o: when are we going to start making discoveries like this for Obodo Naija? THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR TIME. ABIYAMO. SOURCE: http://abiyamo.com/new-human-body-part-discovered/