cornea

noun

cor·​nea ˈkȯr-nē-ə How to pronounce cornea (audio)
: the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and admits light to the interior see eye illustration
corneal adjective

Examples of cornea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Damage to the eye cornea related to the dry eye syndrome was measured via corneal staining. The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023 In particular, sleeping in contacts or not replacing them frequently can harbor organisms and keep them in contact with the cornea longer, allowing infection.8 Rubbing the eye frequently or scratching it in some other way can also have this same effect, Szczotka-Flynn said. Julia Landwehr, Health, 25 Aug. 2023 Around 1,000 people each year in the U.S. have damage in one eye but can’t receive a cornea transplant, Jurkunas tells Time. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Aug. 2023 The sheet of cells is then transplanted into the injured eye, restoring the natural process that keeps the cornea functioning correctly. Jamie Ducharme, Time, 18 Aug. 2023 Entropion is an abnormality where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the hair on the surface of the eyelid to rub against the cornea resulting in pain, potential corneal ulcers, or pigment developing on the cornea which can interfere with vision. Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2022 The woman went to the emergency room, where doctors discovered a large ulcer on her left cornea, nearly involving the entire eye. Janelle Chavez, CNN, 22 Mar. 2023 Surgeons then made a tiny incision in each patient’s cornea and inserted the hydrogel, which helped thicken and reshape the cornea to restore its functionality. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Aug. 2022 This is often used in people with progressive keratoconus, but cannot be used if the cornea is too thin, as might be the case in your father. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 11 Apr. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cornea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Medieval Latin (short for cornea tēla "horny web," cornea tunica "horny covering," translating Greek kerātoeidḕs chitṓn), from feminine of Latin corneus "horny" — more at corneous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cornea was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near cornea

Cite this Entry

“Cornea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cornea. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

cornea

noun
cor·​nea ˈkȯr-nē-ə How to pronounce cornea (audio)
: the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and lets light through to the interior
corneal adjective

Medical Definition

cornea

noun
cor·​nea ˈkȯr-nē-ə How to pronounce cornea (audio)
: the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and admits light to the interior
corneal adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cornea

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