The cornea is the avascular convex, anterior transparent front part of the globe which performs the dual functions of protection of the eye and refraction of light. It is a site of refraction of light entering the eye and provides a clear medium through which the light can travel. It is limited at its periphery by the corneal limbus, where the opaque sclera starts. It is intimately related to the conjunctiva via its epithelium which is continuous (although slightly different in nature) between the cornea and the conjunctiva. Infections, inflammatory conditions and trauma can all potentially extend from one to the other.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/corneal-problems-acute-and-non-acute