The corneal epithelium (epithelium corneæ anterior layer) covers the front of the cornea and consists of several layers of cells.

The cells of the deepest layer are columnar; then follow two or three layers of polyhedral cells, the majority of which are prickle cells similar to those found in the stratum mucosum of the cuticle.

Lastly, there are three or four layers of squamous cells, with flattened nuclei.

Disorders

• Recurrent corneal erosion