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Cited by 137Corneal surgery and disordersCorneal Surgery and TreatmentsOcular Surface and Contact Lens

Mapping collagen organization in the human cornea: left and right eyes are structurally distinct

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Boote, Craig, Hayes, Sally, Abahussin, Mohammad, Meek, Keith M.·2006·Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science
DOI 10.1167/iovs.05-0893
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Abstract

PURPOSE: Aspects of the biomechanics and surface topography of fellow human corneas are known to exhibit midline symmetry, but the structural basis of these observations is poorly understood. The mechanical performance of the cornea is strongly influenced by the organization of stromal collagen fibrils. The present study was designed to examine and compare the organization of collagen fibrils in the corneal stroma of left and right eyes. METHODS: Wide-angle x-ray scattering was used to map in detail the orientation and distribution of fibrillar collagen across the cornea, limbus, and adjacent sclera of three normal human eyes, including a fellow pair, and the central 9-mm corneal region of a further four eyes. RESULTS: Fibrillar collagen in the human cornea and limbus is arranged anisotropically, and in a highly specific manner. Left and right corneas are structurally distinct. In general, the mass distribution of preferentially aligned fibrils in the cornea appears to exhibit a degree of midline symmetry between left and right eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Structural information, such as that presented herein, will enable a better understanding of corneal biomechanics and shape. Midline symmetry in the distribution of aligned, mechanically reinforcing collagen fibrils between left and right eyes may relate to the biomechanical and topographical enantiomorphism reported in the literature.

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  • This network of collagen lamellae shows mirror symmetry between left and right eyes.

    “This network shows mirror symmetry between left and right eyes (Boote et al., 2006)”

    From Corneal structure and transparency (2015) · cites this paper as Boote et al., 2006

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Boote, C., Hayes, S., Abahussin, M., & Meek, K. M.
Affiliations
Cardiff University (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science
Publisher
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
Published
2006-03-01
Volume
47
Issue
3
Pages
901
ISSN
  • 0146-0404 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-5783
DOI
10.1167/iovs.05-0893
OpenAlex
W2148209835
Cited by
137
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 6
FWCI
5.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (submittedVersion)
  • Science and Technology Facilities Council (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Corneal surgery and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Corneal Surgery and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Ocular Surface and Contact Lens
Keywords
corneal collagen fibrils, corneal stroma, left-right asymmetry, wide-angle X-ray scattering, corneal biomechanics, limbus, sclera, enantiomorphism, fibril orientation
MeSH terms
Biomechanical Phenomena, Corneal Stroma, Humans, Functional Laterality, X-Ray Diffraction, Anisotropy, Corneal Topography, Fibrillar Collagens

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