Corneal limbus

The corneal limbus (Latin: corneal border) is a highly vascularized and pigmented zone between the cornea, conjunctiva, and the sclera (the white of the eye) that protects and heals the cornea. The cornea is composed of three primary cell types: epithelial cells, corneal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. The corneal surface is one of the body's most specialized structures that undergoes continuous cellular renewal and regeneration. It contains limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) in the palisades of Vogt. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) can lead to disorders where limbal stem cells are damaged or absent. Additional disorders involving the corneal limbus are caused by deficiencies in interactions between ocular structures, developmental anomalies, and cancer.

This article explores the structure, functions, disorders, and clinical significance of the corneal limbus.