The corneal epithelium is typically about 5 to 7 cell layers thick. It consists of three main types of cells:
Superficial Squamous Cells: The outermost layer, composed of flattened cells that have microvilli on their surface to retain tear film and assist in debris removal. Wing Cells: The middle layer, consisting of polygonal cells that provide structural integrity and transition between the superficial and basal layers. Basal Cells: The innermost layer, composed of columnar cells responsible for the regeneration of the epithelial cells.
