Normal endothelial cell density in cornea to maintain transparency is: September 2007

Ans. C: 500 The corneal endothelium is embryologically derived from the neural crest. The postnatal total endothelial cellularity of the cornea (approximately 300,000 cells per cornea) is achieved as early as the second trimester of gestation. Thereafter the endothelial cell density (but not the absolute number of cells) rapidly declines in direct propoion to the areal growth of the fetal cornea, achieving a final adult density of approximately 500 cells/mm2.