[Physiology of the cornea: stromal hydration and its regulation].

The authors present an up-to-date review of stromal hydration of the cornea and its controlling mechanisms. Stromal hydration quantifies the water component of the stroma. Its regularization depends on different factors which were detailed as; swelling pressure, corneal endothelial and epithelial metabolic pumps and barriers, tear film evaporation and intraocular pressure. Finally, the authors present different clinical procedures for evaluating stromal hydration, such as, the fluorophotometry and hypoxic-stress. This study shows the importance of stromal physiology and the consequences of all surgical or pathological modifications.