cornea

noun

cor·​nea ˈkȯr-nē-ə 

: 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

ˈkȯr-nē-əl 

adjective

Examples of cornea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Visual field changes may arise because the procedure can flatten the dome of the cornea, Boxer Wachler explains. —Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2025

When the cells are depleted in the cornea, patients can then experience painful blindness and a loss of vision, Jurkunas said. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025

Chondroitin sulfate lubricates the eye to keep the cornea moist and clear during surgery.6 Some eye drops or contact solutions may contain chondroitin sulfate to reduce corneal swelling and irritation.7 More research is needed on chondroitin sulfate's effects on eye health. —Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025

Toric lenses: These lenses can also help correct astigmatism (a condition that affects the curve of the cornea or lens). —Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 23 Mar. 2025

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

Kids Definition

cornea

noun

cor·​nea ˈkȯr-nē-ə 

: the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and lets light through to the interior

corneal

-nē-əl 

adjective

Medical Definition

cornea

noun

cor·​nea ˈkȯr-nē-ə 

: the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and admits light to the interior

corneal

-əl 

adjective