SCLERA

DR SRAVYA M V
SECOND YEAR
MS SALAKYATANTRA
GAVC TPRA
• Posterior 5/6th opaque part of the external fibrous tunic

• Whole outer surface - covered by Tenon's capsule

• In the anterior part - covered by bulbar conjunctiva

• Inner surface lies in contact with choroid with a potential suprachoroidal

space in between

• In its anterior most part near the limbus, there is a furrow – scleral sulcus
which encloses the canal of Schlemm

• Scleral spur – circular flang of anterior most part of sclera,lies deep to

Schlemm’s canal ,wdge shaped in section
• Lamina cribrosa – sieve like sclera from which the fibres of optic nerve pass
Thickness

• At the limbus - 0.8 mm thick

• Anterior to the rectus muscle insertions - 0.6 mm thick

• Posterior to the rectus muscle insertions - 0.3 mm thick (thinnest)

• At the equator - 0.5 to 0.8 mm thick

• At the posterior pole - 1 mm thick (thickest)

Apertures
3 sets of apertures
I . Posterior apertures
• Around the optic nerve

• Transmit long & short ciliary nerves & vessels

2. Middle apertures - 4
• Slightly ( 4-7 mm) posterior to the equator

• pass the four vortex veins (vena verticose)

3. Anterior apertures
• 3 to 4 mm away from the limbus

• Anterior ciliary vessels & branches from long ciliary nerves pass through these apertures
Microscopic structure

• Histologically - 3 layers

l . Episcleral tissue
• Thin, dense vascularised layer of connective tissue

• Covers the sclera proper , anteriorly continuous with Tenon’s capsule

• Fine fibroblasts ,macrophages & lymphocytes

2. Sclera proper
• Avascular structure

• Consists of dense bundles of collagen fibres – make sclera opaque

• Mucopolysaccharides, fibroblasts
3. Lamina fusca

• Innermost part of sclera which blends with suprachoroidal & supraciliary

laminae of the uveal tract

• Brownish in colour owing to the presence of pigmented cells

Nerve supply

• Branches from the long ciliary nerves which pierce it 2-4 mm from the
limbus to form a plexus
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