ers of the cornea function in a synchronized way to ensure this transparency.Corneal tissue has three distinct layers, the epithelial, stroma, and endothelial layers, and two acellular regions, the Bowman's layer, which separates the epithelium from the stroma, and the Descemet's membrane, which is between the stroma and the endothelium ( Fig. 1A ). All three layers have a uniform and consistent arrangement throughout the tissue in order to precisely bend and transmit light, fi rst to the lens and then to the retina.The corneal epithelium is the most outer layer, consisting of fi ve to seven layers of stratifi ed nonkeratinized epithelia. The basal cells have a prominent nucleus, are mitotically active, and adhere to the basement membrane through an adhesion complex that anchors the epithelium to the Bowman's layer. Turnover of epithelial cells occurs every fi ve to seven days by displacement of existing cells, which begin their movement toward the surface to then form two to three layers of wing-shaped cells; the cells then begin terminal differentiation and desquamation. The outer-most layer of the epithelium is in intimate contact with the tear fi lm that keeps the surface moist and free of damage that can result from drying (dry eye). This is The cornea, known as the "window of the eye," has two major functions: to protect the intraocular structures and to refract light. In fact, the cornea accounts for two-thirds of the refractive power of the eye. The most important characteristic of this tissue is its transparency, and the lay-

These results demonstrate that EGF-stimulated epithelial wound healing is partially mediated through a 12/15-LOX-LXA4 pathway, and activation of ERK1/2 and p38 is required for LXA4 action.

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