New corneal layer discovered: Dua’s Layer

The cornea

I previously wrote about the 5 layers of the cornea. I guess I was wrong because in May, an article was published in the journal Ophthalmology, that described a new 6th layer. Named for an ophthalmologist in the United Kingdom, Dua’s Layer is a 15 micron thick layer of collagen deep in the cornea (between the stroma and Descemet’s layer).

It remains to be seen what the impact of this discovery will be, but the use of this layer may be important in surgical techniques used to transplant parts of the cornea. Eye surgeons may be able to use Dua’s layer as an anatomic landmark to precisely dissect layers apart. Knowledge of Dua’s layer may also aid in the diagnosis and management of other corneal conditions like keratoconus.