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The British Journal of Ophthalmology has published an article surrounding research carried out by the University of Nottingham where a new corneal layer has been identified in the human eye.The Dua's Layer, as it has been named contributes to the trabecular meshwork which lies at the very outer edge of the cornea.The meshwork is a collective of tissue made up of collagen wrapped in membrane, which attracts and attach trabecular and endothelial cells. All of the aqueous fluid within the eye is kept in check via drainage through this meshwork to the circular channel canal of Schlemm. Should this meshwork become defective and the balance of fluid becomes unstable and builds up then raised pressure will occur ( glaucoma ), a condition that affects around two per cent of the population.
The University of Nottingham's research has been focused on the basic anatomy of Dua’s Layer, which is minute measuring at only 15 microns thick. Despite it's apparent fragility however it is very tough.
Electron microscopes were used to investigate the layer beyond the central cornea. They discovered that the collagen fibers of Dua’s Layer also branch out to form a meshwork and that the core of the trabecular meshwork is in fact an extension of the Dua’s Layer. The findings are hoped to to look further into system drainage problems ans why high pressure build up occurs in some people.