What is the refractive index of the cornea?

The refractive index of the cornea is approximately 1.376. This value is crucial as it indicates how light is bent when it passes through the cornea, which is the eye's primary focusing element. The cornea's refractive index plays an essential role in the overall refractive power of the eye, as it needs to bend light effectively before it enters the lens for further focusing on the retina.

The other values provided in the choices are associated with different materials or structures in the eye or other biological tissues. The lens of the eye, for example, typically has a higher refractive index, around 1.440 to 1.520. Understanding the refractive index of the cornea is important for fields such as optometry and ophthalmology, especially when designing corrective lenses or performing refractive surgeries.